St Stan Illustrated Story

I n 1660, Stanislaus was transferred by his superiors to the col- lege at Rzeszow. Here too he was appointed instructor of rhet- oric. Busy as he was teaching others, he, nevertheless, probably found time to complete his own theological studies. In 1661, he was raised to the diaconate and ordained priest by the Bishop of Przemysl, Stanis- laus Sarnowski. To his other duties were now added those of a preacher. We still have one of his first sermons, titled “In praise of Mary, the Virgin Mother of God.” In it we find these words: “How greatly the Blessed Virgin’s love for us here shone forth!What sublime love she showed us! What concern for our salvation! What mor- tal would not strive, by all the means in his power, to love, honor and venerate the Lady who has done so much to help him? Set to work, then, and do not neglect any good deed by which you may honor this Virgin.” I n the year 1663, Fr. Stanislaus was transferred to Warsaw, where he soon made his name as a preacher. Particularly memorable are the sermons in honor of St. Thomas Aquinas which, at the invitation of the Dominican Fathers, he delivered at their church of St. Hyacinth in Warsaw. One sermon that he preached there on March 7, 1664 was published under the title “The Angelic Doctor” ( Doctor Angelicus ) by a man who had heard it. “I was unwilling,” wrote the editor in his dedication, “that this voice, which had so held the attention of all who heard it, should be simply a momentary and passing thing, instead of an enduring one.” According to the Saint, one of the reasons why St. Thomas Aquinas had earned the title of “the Angelic Doctor” was that he had “so vowed angelic chastity to God, that he preserved it, and so defended it, that he conquered.” “Should we not, then,” asks Fr. Stanislaus, “award this title to one who has offered to all those battling in the same arena, the one sure means of defeating the enemy? For he has taught us that the flame (of passion) can only be overcome by the ardor (of true love) ignes ig- nibus vincere ; that the defense of chastity calls for great resolution, which alone can win the crown of victory.” 46