This observance appears in the catholic calendar with liturgical color purple .
Saint Casimir is revered as a devout Polish prince known for his exceptional piety, humility, and dedication to God, especially through his devotion to the Eucharist and the Blessed Mother.
Saint Casimir, born a royal prince, was the son of King Casimir IV of Poland and Elizabeth of Austria, and is celebrated for his profound personal piety and ascetic lifestyle, even while living in a royal court. He was renowned for his devotion to the Holy Eucharist, his deep love for the Blessed Virgin Mary, and his commitment to chastity and charitable works, famously refusing the Hungarian throne to avoid conflict. His life serves as an enduring example of how one can live a life of profound faith, humility, and service to God, regardless of their worldly status, making him a patron for youth and a model of virtue within royalty.
Saint Casimir, born a prince in 1458 at Wawel Royal Castle in Kraków, was the third of thirteen children to King Casimir IV of Poland and Elizabeth of Austria, daughter of Emperor Albert II. From an early age, it was evident that Casimir possessed a soul far removed from the typical ambitions of royalty. Unlike his siblings, who were groomed for political power and worldly influence, Casimir exhibited an extraordinary inclination towards spiritual pursuits. His education, overseen by the renowned chronicler and tutor Jan Długosz, instilled in him a deep knowledge of theology and a profound love for God, shaping a character marked by humility, piety, and an unwavering commitment to Christian virtues. This early formation laid the groundwork for a life that would eventually be recognized as exemplary of sanctity within the royal court.
Casimir's personal piety was remarkable for its intensity and asceticism. Despite his princely status, he lived a life of severe self-denial, often sleeping on the bare floor, wearing a hair shirt, and spending long hours in prayer, frequently visiting churches at night. He practiced rigorous fasting and mortification, constantly striving to conform his will to God's and to overcome worldly attachments. His devotion was not merely internal; it manifested in profound charity towards the poor, the sick, and the suffering, to whom he generously distributed alms. He saw Christ in the suffering and considered their needs above his own comforts, exemplifying the Gospel call to serve the least of these. This profound interior life, lived amidst the opulence of a royal court, made him a living testament to the truth that true riches are found not in earthly possessions but in devotion to God.
One of the most defining episodes of Casimir's youth occurred in 1471 when, at the age of thirteen, he was sent by his father to lead an army to claim the Hungarian throne. Hungarian magnates, dissatisfied with their king, Matthias Corvinus, had offered the crown to King Casimir IV, who in turn designated his son to lead the military expedition. However, the campaign proved to be ill-fated, encountering significant opposition and an outbreak of disease among the troops. Casimir, witnessing the bloodshed and futility of the venture, became deeply disillusioned with the pursuit of worldly power and military conquest. Upon his return, he firmly refused any further attempts to involve him in similar political schemes, choosing instead a path of peace and spiritual devotion. This decision highlighted his profound moral compass and his preference for divine will over temporal ambition, cementing his reputation for integrity and aversion to violence.
Casimir's spiritual life was characterized by a fervent devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and the Blessed Virgin Mary. He spent countless hours before the tabernacle, adoring Christ in the Eucharist, recognizing it as the true source of spiritual strength and nourishment. His love for the Mother of God was equally profound; he was known to recite daily the Latin hymn *Omni die dic Mariae* (Daily, Daily Sing to Mary), a testament to his deep Marian piety. Legend holds that a copy of this hymn was found in his tomb, underscoring its personal significance to him. Furthermore, he took a vow of perpetual chastity, a rare and challenging commitment for a prince destined for dynastic marriage, demonstrating his complete dedication of body and soul to God. These devotions formed the bedrock of his spiritual discipline and served as a powerful witness to those around him.
In his later years, Casimir served as his father's regent in Poland during the king's absence in Lithuania. Despite this significant responsibility, he continued his austere practices and charitable works, never allowing the demands of state to diminish his spiritual fervor. His health, however, began to decline, and he contracted tuberculosis. Enduring his illness with exemplary patience and resignation to God's will, he continued to pray and offer his suffering for the salvation of souls. He passed away peacefully on March 4, 1484, at the age of twenty-five, in Grodno (present-day Belarus), while traveling with his father. His death, though premature by worldly standards, was viewed by many as the culmination of a life lived entirely for God.
The reputation for sanctity that Casimir had cultivated during his lifetime only grew after his death. Miracles were reported at his tomb in Vilnius Cathedral, further solidifying the popular belief in his holiness. Pope Leo X initiated the process for his canonization, though it was interrupted by the Pope's death. It was Pope Clement VIII who formally canonized him in 1602. Saint Casimir is venerated as a patron saint of Poland and Lithuania, as well as a patron of youth and bachelors. His life remains an enduring inspiration within the Catholic Church, particularly for those in positions of power, demonstrating that true leadership lies in humble service, profound faith, and unwavering devotion to God's will, irrespective of worldly allurements. His feast day is celebrated annually on March 4th, reminding the faithful of his exemplary virtues and his powerful intercession.
When Saint Casimir, the devout Prince of Poland and Lithuania, breathed his last at the tender age of twenty-five, his life had been a quiet testament to profound faith and humility amidst the splendor of a royal court. He was known for his rigorous asceticism, his deep love for the poor, and above all, his fervent devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. He would often spend long hours in prayer, and it was widely whispered that he carried a particular hymn, 'Omni die dic Mariae' (Daily, Daily Sing to Mary), close to his heart, reciting it with profound reverence.
Years after his passing, in the year 1602, as preparations were underway for his canonization, his tomb in Vilnius Cathedral was opened. The air was thick with reverence and anticipation. As the lid was carefully lifted, all present gazed upon the earthly remains of the holy prince. And there, nestled beside his body, almost as if placed there by his own hand, was a manuscript. It was a copy of the very hymn, 'Omni die dic Mariae,' that he had cherished so deeply in life.
What truly astonished those present was not merely the presence of the hymn, but its condition. Despite the dampness and the passage of over a century, the parchment was perfectly preserved, as if it had been placed there just yesterday. The letters were clear, the ink unfaded, a miraculous testament to the enduring power of his devotion and a tangible sign of his heavenly favor. This discovery profoundly moved all who witnessed it, confirming the sanctity of Casimir and underscoring the depth of his love for the Mother of God, a love that transcended even death itself. The hymn, found miraculously preserved, became a powerful symbol of his unwavering piety and a lasting legacy of his spiritual life.
1798
SAINT CASIMIR, Prince, C. He was the third son of Casimir III., king of Poland, and Elizabeth of Austria, daughter of the emperor Albert II. He was born in 1458. From his infancy he was remarkably devout, and had a tender and singular affection for the poor. His preceptor was John Dlugloss, canon of Cracow, a man of great learning and piety, who trained him up in the most perfect sentiments and practice of our holy religion. The prince, by his fervour, prevented his master’s desires in the constant exercises of mortification and prayer. He was usually clad in hair-cloth, and often spent a great part of the night in prayer and meditation, chiefly on the passion of our Saviour. He was so mortified in the flesh, that he preserved his virginity entire to his death; and this for the sake of virtue, as appears by a vow which he made to God. His fasts and abstinences were extraordinary; and he applied himself to all his exercises with so great earnestness, that he seemed to live rather like a hermit than a prince. He had a particular devotion to the Blessed Virgin, and used to recite every day the hymn, Omni die dic Mariæ meo corde, ore, manuque. To his veneration for the Mother of God, he joined a most ardent love for her divine Son, and a devout esteem for the holy Sacrament of the altar. He was a perfect model of humility, temperance, and purity. He had a great zeal for justice, and for the good of his people; and was so exact in the discharge of all his duties, that he was the admiration of his father and all his court. In 1471, the Hungarians, dissatisfied with their king, Matthias Corvinus, sent a deputation to Casimir IV., to offer the crown to his son Casimir, who was then but thirteen years of age. The young prince, though with great reluctance, was obliged to accept the offer, and was sent with an army to take possession of the kingdom. But he soon found that the greater part of the Hungarians were faithful to their lawful sovereign, and that he had been imposed upon by a faction. He therefore, after a short stay, returned home, without having committed any hostile act. This event gave him a stronger inclination to a monastic life, which he had always desired. He then applied himself more than ever to prayer, fasting, and other works of piety. He often visited the churches in the night, and spent a great part of his time in them, in meditation on the divine mysteries. He was careful to avoid all occasions of sin, and to keep his conscience pure and undefiled. He lived in the practice of all virtues, and was particularly remarkable for his charity to the poor, whom he relieved with a generous hand, looking upon them as the members of Christ. He died in the year 1484, at the age of twenty-five, of a consumption, which he had contracted by his rigorous fasts and other mortifications. He foresaw his death, and prepared himself for it with the greatest sentiments of piety and resignation. He was buried in the cathedral church of Vilna, where his body was found incorrupt, with the hymn to the Blessed Virgin, which he used to recite daily, lying by him. Many miracles were wrought at his tomb. Pope Leo X. began the process of his canonization, which was completed by Pope Clement VIII. in 1602. His feast is kept on the 4th of March.
The Kaziuko mugė (St. Casimir's Fair) is a large, vibrant annual folk arts and crafts fair held in Vilnius, featuring traditional crafts, food, and entertainment.
This fair is celebrated annually around March 4th in honor of Saint Casimir, serving as a significant cultural and religious event that has been ongoing for centuries.
Special Masses, liturgical celebrations, and public devotions are held in churches and cathedrals.
Saint Casimir is a principal patron saint of both nations, and his feast day is a significant occasion for public veneration and thanksgiving for his exemplary life.
Pilgrimages and veneration of his relics occur, particularly at Vilnius Cathedral where his tomb is located.
His tomb is a revered pilgrimage site due to his sanctity and the numerous miracles reported through his intercession, making relic veneration a central aspect of devotion.
Polish-American and Lithuanian-American communities often commemorate his feast day with cultural events, special Masses, and community gatherings.
These celebrations serve to preserve and honor the shared religious and ethnic heritage of these communities, recognizing Saint Casimir as a beloved patron saint.
Large, often heart-shaped or ring-shaped sweet or savory breads, sometimes decorated with various toppings, that are a signature item of the annual Kaziuko mugė (St. Casimir's Fair).
These traditional baked goods are prominently sold and consumed during the Kaziuko mugė, a large annual fair held in Vilnius in honor of Saint Casimir's feast day.
A distinctive traditional Lithuanian spit cake made from a rich batter, cooked on a rotating spit, forming unique 'branches' or spikes, often served at festive occasions.
This festive cake is a popular traditional food found and consumed during the Kaziuko mugė, celebrating Lithuanian cultural heritage alongside the saint's feast.
Various honey-based products, including honey cakes (meduoliai) and mead (midus), a traditional alcoholic beverage made from fermented honey.
Honey products are traditional culinary offerings and popular items sold at the Kaziuko mugė, forming part of the celebratory atmosphere around Saint Casimir's feast.
A traditional fermented beverage, typically made from rye bread, often flavored with fruits or herbs, popular in Eastern European cuisine.
This traditional drink is commonly enjoyed and sold during the Kaziuko mugė, complementing the array of traditional foods available at the fair.