stanislaus(圣·斯坦斯洛斯·科斯卡传)-第16节
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distant； and that he could at worst be a burden for only a very short time；
he wrote to Claude Acquaviva； who was then General of the Society of
Jesus； and begged that he might at least die in the Society to which
Stanislaus had belonged。 Acquaviva readily dispensed with the
impediment of age and ordered the Provincial of Poland； Father Strinieno；
to receive him。
Paul hastened to the royal court； then at Pietscop； to settle his worldly
affairs before taking up his residence in the noviceship。 But scarcely had
he completed his arrangements； when fever seized him； and he died after a
few days' illness。 He died November 13； 1607： the very day of the month
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FOR GREATER THINGS： The story of Saint Stanislaus Kostka
afterwards fixed as the feast of Saint Stanislaus。
Bilinski； too； the tutor of Stanislaus； showed in after life the fruit of
Stanislaus' prayers。 He became Canon of Pultowa and Plock and lived
holily。 It was his privilege to bear testimony to many events in the life of
Stanislaus； and he was a very valuable witness in the 〃processes〃 for his
pupil's beatification。 When death came； Stanislaus appeared to him in
vision； consoling and encouraging him； and he died in great peace。
All this time the people of Poland had been eager in their devotion to
the Blessed Stanislaus。 Many cures and miracles had been wrought
through his intercession。 In 1621； under the Polish king； Sigismund III；
and again in 1676； under Yan Sobieski； the Poles won pronounced
victories over Turkish armies which far outnumbered their own； and
attributed these preternatural successes to the prayers of Stanislaus。
The whole nation； through its kings； repeatedly petitioned that
Stanislaus might be declared their Patron。 This was at first refused； as only
canonized saints were given the title of Patron of a nation。 But Clement x
granted the request in 1671； setting aside the decree which forbade it。
The Church is slow in declaring any one a saint。 It was not until
December 13； 1726； one hundred and fifty…eight years after the death of
Stanislaus； that Benedict XIII solemnly celebrated his canonization in the
Basilica of St。 Peter。 It was a double ceremony； for it was also the occasion
of the canonization of Saint Aloysius； who had been born in March of the
same year in which Stanislaus died。
* * * * * * * * *
This little account has not done justice to the life of Stanislaus Kostka；
and； indeed； it is very hard to do justice to it。 He was a most human and
lovable boy； but he was besides a wonderful； bright being that eludes the
grip of our common minds。 He was a citizen of heaven； who lived here
amongst us； kindly and companionable indeed； during eighteen years of
exile。 To try to describe him is like trying to describe a star in the far sky
of night。
That love for God； of which we speak so brokenly； which at its best in
us is so small and cold； was the soul of his soul； the inner core and
substance of his life。 Here； in the misty country of faith； he had something
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FOR GREATER THINGS： The story of Saint Stanislaus Kostka
of that radiant and rapturous union with God which all of us； as we hope；
shall one day have in heaven。
All the sweet and strong twining of our hearts about father and mother
and relatives and dear friends； all that binds us in affection to those we
love in life； was multiplied and made many times stronger in his rare
nature and lifted up by God's grace to fix itself upon God； the infinite
Goodness； the supreme Beauty。
God was not a mere Name or a Power to him； not even the mere Lord
and Master of all： God was his friend； his dearest intimate； his sure； strong；
patient； loving counselor； whose presence was with him； waking and
sleeping； whose interests were nearest his heart； whose commands it was a
delight to obey； whose slightest wish and beckoning was eagerly watched
for and joyously followed。
To catch the secret and true meaning of his life； one must feel how that
love for God thrilled through him； was his。 courage in action； his
endurance in suffering； his sweetness and kindness in all dealings with
other men。 It was his life。 And when we have said and realized that； we
have come nearest to knowing who and what really was Stanislaus Kostka。
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