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Feast
Day: August 16
Also known as
Stephen the Great
Profile
Born pagan but baptized with his father at age 10. King
of the Magyars in Hungary.
Married Gisela, sister of emperor Saint Henry
II. Evangelized both their peoples. Stephen united the Magyars into a
single nation, suppressing revolts led by pagan nobles. Crowned king
by the pope
on Christmas Day 1001.
Organized dioceses,
and founded monasteries.
Father of Saint Emeric; brought Saint Gerard Sagredo to tutor his son.
Born
969
@ Esztergom, Hungary
Died
15
August 1038
Canonized
1083
Patronage
bricklayers,
death of children,
Hungary,
kings,
masons,
stone masons,
stonecutters
Reading
My beloved son, delight of my heart, hope of your
posterity, I pray, I command, that at every time and in everything,
strengthened by your devotion to me, you may show favor not only to
relations and kin, or to the most eminent, be they leaders or rich men or
neighbors or fellow-countrymen, but also to foreigners and to all who come
to you. By fulfilling your duty in this way you will reach the highest
state of happiness. Be merciful to all who are suffering violence, keeping
always in your heart the example of the Lord who said, "I desire
mercy and not sacrifice." Be patient with everyone, not only with the
powerful, but also with the weak.
Finally be strong lest prosperity lift you up to much or adversity cast you
down. Be humble in this life, that God may raise you up in the next. Be
truly moderate and do not punish or condemn anyone immoderately. Be gentle
so that you may never oppose justice. Be honorable so that you may never
voluntarily bring disgrace upon anyone. Be chaste so that ;you may avoid
all the foulness of lust like the pangs of death.
All these virtues I have noted above make up the royal crown, and without
them no one is fit to rule here on earth or attain to the heavenly
kingdom.
from Saint Stephen's advice to his son
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