St Stan Illustrated Story

23 Y ears ago, it was not an uncommon thing in Poland for lovers of Our Blessed Lady to observe a “Saturday fast” in her honor. We need not, then, be surprised that early biographers of the Saint tell us that John “as a boy would fast on Saturdays in honor of the Im- maculate Virgin Mother.” Moreover, he “had recourse daily to Mary’s intercession, praying to her with a tender, childlike devotion, and look- ing upon her as his own Mother.” Furthermore, we are given to un- derstand that on more than one occasion he experienced Mary’s help in an almost miraculous manner. One of the first graces attributed by tradition to Mary’s merciful intervention on his behalf was the sudden, unexpected awakening of his ability to absorb knowledge. After his unfortunate experience at school, John refused to admit defeat. There was apparently no one but God to whom he could turn for help. Stealthily he would open his brother Peter’s books and try to decipher the words, but in vain. Sadder than ever he would fall on his knees in earnest prayer to his Immaculate. One day – he was only seven years old at the time – all his diffi- culties suddenly disappeared, and a new world of comprehension opened before him. There seemed no doubt, at least in the youngster’s own mind, that it was Mary who had answered his prayer.