The Pope addressed in particular the Polish-speaking faithful, and "the new generations of believers," but the message was for everyone yesterday at St. Peter's. May St. Stanislaus Kostka be "example and inspiration" in seeking God's will.
The liturgy today celebrates this young novice, "patron of his homeland and of young people," who had not even been a Jesuit for a year when he died. Although his universal feast day is August 15, it is also celebrated on September 18 in some places, especially in Poland, where he is patron.
Premonition that I would die on August 15
Stanislaus of Kostka (Stanislaw Kostka, 1550-1568) "is known for his youthful holiness and his steadfast decision to follow God's call despite the obstacles placed by his family", according to the Jesuit websitewhere you can read about his life.
At the beginning of August 1568, he had a premonition that he would die soon. On August 14, he told the nurse that he would die the next day. No one believed him, but at three o'clock in the morning on the feast of the Assumption, August 15, he announced that Mary was coming to him surrounded by angels to take him to heaven and he died immediately.
Neapolitan friar
St. Joseph of Cupertino, or Copertino, (1603-1663), born Joseph Marie Desa, was Neapolitan friar. From a young age he showed little intellectual talent. Overcoming many difficulties entered in the Order of the Conventual Franciscans and was able to reach the priesthood. It is said of him that mystical phenomena of corporal order reached a notorious character, in particular levitation.
The Martyrology Romano highlights his humility and charity. "In Osimo, in the Picena region of Italy, St. Joseph of Cupertino, a priest of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual, famous, in difficult circumstances, for his poverty, humility and charity for those in need of God (1663)". He manifested great devotion to Christ in the Eucharist and to the Mother of God.
Young Christians in Uganda
The young Ugandans David Okelo and Gildo Irwa were sons of pagan parents, but were converted and baptized in the same year, 1916. Both of them were catechists and were very active in their evangelizing work. In 1918 they were killed with spears in the village of Paimol, near the mission of Kalongi (Uganda). They were beatified in 2002.
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