St. Wenceslaus
Today the Church calendar celebrates the feast of “Good” King Wenceslaus, the tenth-century Duke of Bohemia (current day Czech Republic). Wenceslaus lived in a time of political violence and social unrest. Throughout his short reign, he tried to unify his people and bring peace to central Europe. As a leader, Wenceslaus showed love for the poor, care for the widow, mercy to those in prison, and respect for all members of society. Even though he was a ruler of this world, he desired to build up the kingdom of heaven, based on the works of mercy found in the Gospel of Matthew (25 Mt).
His compassion, kindness, and gentle spirit made him much loved among the people of his day. His goodness and good deeds were so well known, that when he died in a political struggle, he was seen as a martyr for the faith. Devotion to the deceased duke led to Wenceslaus immediately being declared a saint and he was named a king posthumously. Stories, songs, and poems told the story of the “good king” who was generous, dedicated, and devoted to the least of God’s people. Even today, we still sing the classic Christmas carol named after this young ruler who died over a thousand years ago. I think his association with Christmas is how most people remember Wenceslaus. This is certainly fitting, as his story reminds us to keep the holiday spirit (an attitude of care for others and giving to those in need) in our hearts all year.
In Salesian Spirituality, we see in Wenceslaus a lay leader who exemplified what St. Francis de Sales taught about the universal call to holiness. St. Francis reminds his readers that “it is an error, or rather a heresy, to try to banish the devout life from the camps of soldiers, the shops of tradesmen, the courts of princes, or the affairs of married people…Wheresoever we are, we may and ought to aspire to a perfect life (Introduction to the Devout Life, Part One, Ch.3).”
Three centuries later, the Second Vatican Council would enshrine this teaching in the “Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity.” The Council Fathers taught that “the laity must take up the renewal of the temporal order as their own special obligation. Led by the light of the Gospel and the mind of the Church, and motivated by Christian charity, they must act directly and in a definite way in the temporal order” (Apostolicam Actuositatem, 7, 1965).
Today, as we continue to struggle with societal change, political problems, and violent conflicts, the message of the Second Vatican Council is needed more than ever. Putting our faith into action is at the heart of Catholic social teaching. All Christians have a duty to bring Christ’s teachings into the world and to strive to live the devout life in the vocation and location where God has placed them. St. Wenceslaus did this over a thousand years ago and he is still a symbol of what can happen when believers follow the basic qualities of gentleness, care, and compassion for others. He is an example of how to be a power for good in the world.
Fr. Jack Kolodziej, OSFS
Provincial
Wilmington-Philadelphia Province
