Saint Venceslas
Duc de Bohême et
martyr (+ 935)
Vratislas, duc de Bohème,
laissait deux fils en mourant: Venceslas, l'héritier âgé de treize ans, et
Boleslas, de deux années plus jeune. Drahomira leur mère exerça la régence,
mais restait attachée à l'ancien culte comme Boleslas, alors que Venceslas
était devenu chrétien. Durant les cinq années de sa régence, elle
persécuta les chrétiens et Venceslas lui-même devait se cacher pour entendre la
messe. A 18 ans, quand il monta sur le trône, il construisit des églises,
ouvrit des monastères, rappela les prêtres exilés. Il gouvernait sagement et
ses mœurs étaient pures. Il fut assassiné par son frère qui convoitait le trône
et avait pris la tête du parti païen. Boleslas l'attaqua par surprise devant
l'église où il se rendait à la messe. Venceslas ne tira pas son épée: "Je
ne serai pas fratricide. Je te pardonne." Il avait vingt-trois ans.
Saint Venceslas est le patron de la République tchèque et le 28 septembre y est
fête nationale.
- vidéo: visite de la Basilique Saint Venceslas, voyage de Benoït XVI en 2009.
Mémoire de saint Venceslas, martyr. Duc de Bohême élevé par sa grand-mère,
sainte Ludmilla, dans la sagesse
divine et humaine, il se montra sévère pour lui-même, pacifique dans
l'administration de son pays, plein de bonté pour les pauvres; il racheta des
foules d'esclaves païens sur le marché de Prague, pour qu'ils soient baptisés;
après bien des difficultés supportées pour gouverner ses sujets et les
instruire de la foi chrétienne, il fut trahi par son frère Boleslas et tué par
des sicaires dans l'église de Boleslava, en 935.
...le souvenir glorieux
du martyr saint Venceslas, dont j’ai pu vénérer la relique, avant la messe,
dans la Basilique qui lui est dédiée, nous réunit autour de l’autel. Il a versé
son sang sur votre terre et son aigle que vous avez choisi comme écusson de la
visite d’aujourd’hui constitue l’emblème historique de la noble Nation tchèque.
Ce grand saint que vous aimez appeler ‘éternel’ Prince des Tchèques, nous
invite à suivre toujours et fidèlement le Christ, il nous invite à être des
saints. Lui-même est un modèle de sainteté pour tous, spécialement pour tous
ceux qui conduisent le destin des communautés et des peuples...
Benoit XVI, voyage Apostolique en République tchèque (26-28
septembre 2009)
Equestrian
statue of Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia in Prague (Czech
Republic), sculpted by Josef Václav Myslbek.
Jezdecká
socha Svatého Václava v Praze.
Statua equestre di San Venceslao, Piazza San Venceslao, Praga
Josef Václav Myslbek. Statue de St. Wenceslas au Wenceslas Square.
Equestrian
statue of Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia in Prague (Czech
Republic), sculpted by Josef Václav Myslbek.
Jezdecká
socha Svatého Václava v Praze.
Statua equestre di San Venceslao, Piazza San Venceslao, Praga
Josef Václav Myslbek. Statue de St. Wenceslas au Wenceslas Square.
Saint Wenceslas
Duc de Bohême, Martyr
(† 936)
Saint Wenceslas eut pour
père Wratislas, duc de Bohême, prince vertueux, et pour mère Drahomire, païenne
et ennemie acharnée du nom chrétien. Drahomire eut un autre fils appelé
Boleslas, qu'elle éleva dans l'idolâtrie.
A la mort de son mari,
elle s'empara de la régence et ne s'en servit que pour persécuter la religion
chrétienne. A cette vue, le zèle de Wenceslas le décida à prendre, avant sa
majorité, les rênes du gouvernement. Il se fit le père des orphelins, le
soutien et le défenseur des veuves, la providence des pauvres. Afin de n'être
pas reconnu, il portait, de nuit, du bois aux pauvres honteux. Il visitait les
prisonniers, rachetait les captifs, consolait et secourait les malheureux.
Wenceslas joignait la
piété aux bonnes oeuvres; il assistait à l'office divin du jour et de la nuit;
il allait souvent nu-pieds, par le froid et la neige, sans jamais se plaindre
de la rigueur de l'hiver. Quelques fois celui qui l'accompagnait la nuit était
transi de froid; mais il n'avait qu'à marcher sur les pas de Wenceslas, et
aussitôt il sentait une chaleur bienfaisante pénétrer tous ses membres.
L'esprit de religion du pieux roi lui faisait honorer les évêques et les
prêtres comme Jésus-Christ Lui-même; il les aimait comme des pères, et quand il
traitait quelque affaire avec eux, c'était avec une humilité et une déférence
profondes. Sa grande dévotion était la dévotion à la Sainte Eucharistie.
Pour témoigner son amour
à Jésus-Hostie, il semait de ses propres mains le blé et pressait le vin
destinés au Saint Sacrifice de la Messe; son bonheur était de servir à l'autel
et de présenter au prêtre le pain, le vin, l'eau et l'encens. La piété de
Wenceslas était pour lui la source d'une intrépidité surprenante. Il dut
s'opposer aux armes d'un prince voisin qui avait envahi ses États. Pour
épargner le sang de ses sujets, il proposa à son ennemi un combat singulier et
se présenta presque sans armes devant un adversaire armé jusqu'aux dents.
Wenceslas allait être percé par la lance ennemie, quand le prince usurpateur
aperçoit près du saint duc deux anges pour le défendre. A cette vue, il se
jette à ses pieds et lui demande pardon.
Attiré dans un guet-apens
par sa mère et son frère, Wenceslas mourut d'un coup d'épée fratricide, au
moment où il priait dans une église.
Abbé L. Jaud, Vie des Saints pour tous les jours de l'année, Tours, Mame, 1950
SOURCE : http://magnificat.ca/cal/fr/saints/saint_wenceslas.html
Kościół
św. Wojciecha w Broumovie
Saint Wenceslas
Svaty Vaclav
Duc de Bohème
28 septembre
Né en 907, mort en 936
sous le pontificat de Léon VII
Le père de
Wenceslas s’appelait Wrastislas et sa mère Drahomire. Wrastislas était prince
très-chrétien mais Drahomire, d’origine païenne nourrissait en son coeur la
haine pour les Chrétiens et montrait un vernis de christianisme.
Ludmille, ou Ludmilla,
mère de Wrastislas, s’était aperçu des sentiments de sa bru. Aussi, dès que
Wenceslas fut né, elle demanda à pouvoir l’élever auprès d’elle, afin qu’il ne
soit pas corrompu par sa païenne de belle-fille.
Lorsqu’il fut capable
d’aller à l’école, elle l’envoya à Budex, une ville proche de Prague et le
confia à un précepteur qui s’appelait Paul. Wenceslas y fit de remarquables
progrès.
Son frère cadet,
Boleslas, était resté avec sa perfide mère. Le père, Wrastislas, mourut
vers l’an 920 et Drahomire, prit ambitieusement la régence. N’ayant plus
d’obstacle à sa fureur, elle persécuta les chrétiens. Elle fit fermer les
églises et interdire la prédication. D’autre part, elle remplaça tous les gens
qui tenaient les postes de commandement par des païens convaincus qui
tourmentèrent les fidèles catholiques.
Ainsi, quand un chrétien
tuait un païen en se défendant, non seulement on le tuait mais on en tuait neuf
autres avec lui. On calculait dix chrétiens tués pour un païen mort.
Ludmille, révoltée par la
cruauté de Drahomire, réussit à faire introniser Wenceslas. Pour éviter la
jalousie de Boleslas, on lui donna la province de Boleslavie où sa mère alla
vivre avec lui. Il est vrai qu’ils avaient tous deux la même inclination pour
le vice et la cruauté.
Wenceslas régna
vertueusement et charitablement. Il allait jusqu’à porter lui-même, sur ses
épaules, du bois de ses forêts dans les maisons des pauvres. Un jour, un
gardien qui ne l’avait pas reconnu le battit comme si c’était un voleur, mais
Wenceslas se laissa faire.
Il assistait aux
enterrements des humbles, visitait les prisonniers, les secourait par ses
aumônes.
Chaque fois que quelqu’un
était condamné à mort, il pleurait à chaudes larmes. Il leur aurait bien
accordé la grâce, mais il craignait pour la sécurité de ses sujets.
Il rachetait des esclaves
païens au marché de Prague, afin de les baptiser.
Il semait, de ses propres
mains, le blé qui devait servir à fabriquer des hosties et pressait lui-même le
vin pour la messe.
Les nuits de carême, il
faisait des processions autour des églises, pieds nus, il marchait dans la
glace ou sur la neige.
Il décida alors d’envoyer
des ambassadeurs à Rome afin d’obtenir la permission de se retirer dans une
abbaye de l’ordre de Saint-Benoit. Ce fut un projet qu’il n’eut pas le temps de
réaliser.
Le prince de Gurime,
Radislas, ravageait le pays. Wenceslas lui envoya des députés pour lui demander
de se retirer du pays. Comme il refusait, Wenceslas parti à la tête d’une
puissante armée afin de défaire son ennemi.
Pour éviter de faire
couler le sang de ses guerriers, Wenceslas proposa à Radislas un combat
singulier. Radislas accepta.
Bien armé et muni d’un
bon coursier, Radislas se présenta avec son arme sur la cuisse.
Wenceslas n’avait qu’une
simple cuirasse sur son cilice et un sabre à la main. Il fit le signe de la
croix puis s’avança vers Radislas qui fondait sur lui à toute allure afin de le
transpercer. Mais celui-ci vit tout à coup, entourant Wenceslas, deux esprits
célestes qui lui fournissait des armes pour se défendre. Une voix disait “ne le
frappe pas !”.
Radislas fut tellement
épouvanté par ces prodiges qu’il tomba aux pieds de Wenceslas pour lui demander
pardon.
Ainsi, la paix fut
rétablie en Bohème à la grande joie des gens du pays qui se félicitèrent
d’avoir un si bon prince à leur tête.
On le vit d’ailleurs
plusieurs fois entouré d’anges.
Un jour qu’il devait
participer à la Diète que l’empereur Othon Ier avait convoquée à Worms, il
arriva en retard parce que la messe à laquelle il assistait avait duré plus
longtemps qu’à l’ordinaire. L’empereur et les princes, vexés de ce retard,
avaient juré qu’ils ne se lèveraient pas pour saluer son arrivée. Mais ils
changèrent tous d’avis lorsque Wenceslas apparu entouré de deux anges qui le
couvraient d’une croix d’or. Othon lui-même se leva et vint accueillir le
prince afin de l’asseoir à côté de lui.
Othon fut si impressionné
qu’il érigea le duché de Bohème en royaume et l’exempta de tout impôt.
De plus, il permit à
Wenceslas de porter sur ses armes un aigle noir sur champ d’argent.
Wenceslas accepta les
privilèges car ils étaient bons pour son peuple mais il n’accepta jamais le
titre de Majesté Royale bien qu’il fut ainsi appelé dans toutes les cérémonies et
les lettres officielles.
Mais aussi importants que
fussent ces cadeaux, Wenceslas eut bien plus de joie en acceptant un relique :
la main de saint Vite, (saint Guy) qu’on avait apportée de France à l’abbaye de
Corvey (ou Corbie) sous l’empereur Louis le débonnaire. Il reçût en plus
quelques ossements de saint Sigismond, roi de Bourgogne, pour qui il avait une
vénération particulière.
Une fois rentré à Prague,
il bâtit une magnifique église dans laquelle il déposa le bras.
Mais la cruelle Drahomire
et son fils Boleslas portaient toujours en eux leur venin dangereux.
Ils résolurent d’abord de
faire disparaître Ludmille. Celle-ci connut les intentions de
Drahomire par une révélation. Loin de s’en défendre, elle s’y prépara en
donnant tous ses biens aux pauvres et en redoublant de ferveur pieuse.
Un jour qu’elle était
dans sa chapelle, faisant son action de grâces après la communion, deux
assassins surgirent et l’étranglèrent avec le voile qui couvrait sa tête.
C’était le 16 septembre
921.
Mais Dieu fit que ces
assassins moururent misérablement et laissèrent à leur postérité des marques
visibles d’infamie.
On enterra la sainte à
Prague dans l’église saint Georges. Trois ans après, Wenceslas fit transférer
le corps à l’église qu’il avait bâtit pour le bras de saint Vite. On trouva son
corps sans corruption et dégageant une odeur bien agréable.
Drahomire et Boleslas
n’en restèrent pas là. La mère en voulait à son fils et le frère en voulait à
son frère. Drahomire décida de le faire tuer le 27 septembre.
Prétextant la naissance
d’un fils, Boleslas organisa des réjouissances. Il y invita les princes et
proposa à son frère de venir partager sa joie. Wenceslas accepta, espérant
amollir la dureté de leur coeur par sa présence.
Après s’être confessé et
après avoir communié, il se rendit à Boleslaw pour participer à la fête. Il
donna à tous des témoignages d’amitiés et d’affection. On hésita donc à le tuer
ce jour-là car c’était le jour de saint Côme et Damien.
Le lendemain, à la fin du
repas pendant lequel il avait levé son verre à saint Michel, il se retira dans
l’église pour y dire les grâces. Ce fut alors que Drahomire poussa violemment
Boleslas à accomplir le triste dessein. Trouvant le duc en oraison, il le
frappa à la tête puis le transperça de deux coups d’épée dont il tomba mort sur
place. Son sang jaillit contre la muraille. On dit qu’on le voit encore.
Ce fut le 28 septembre
936. (d’autres disent 929) La veille de la saint Michel.
On plaça son corps dans
l’église saint Côme et Damien à Boleslava.
Au même instant, le roi
de Danemark eut la révélation de l’assassinat du saint et lui bâtit une église
à son nom.
La mort de Wenceslas fut
suivie d’une horrible persécution des chrétiens. Mais Drahomire ne tarda pas à
recevoir son juste châtiment. Un jour qu’elle passait dans un lieu où se
trouvaient les ossements des martyrs qu’elle avait fait tuer, la terre s’ouvrit
et elle fut engloutie vivante dans les enfers avec sa voiture et tous ceux qui
étaient dedans et dessus, sauf le cocher qui était descendu, au son de la
cloche, pour adorer le saint sacrement. Il fut le seul qui en réchappa.
Boleslas continua ses
exactions vis-à-vis des chrétiens. Mais Othon le força à rappeler les prêtres
et à rétablir la religion chrétienne en Bohème.
Ne supportant pas les
miracles qu’accomplissait son défunt frère, il fit porter secrètement le corps
à l’église saint Vite à Prague afin que les miracles soient plutôt attribués à
saint Vite qu’à Wenceslas. Cela, trois ans après sa mort.
C’était compter sans les
vertus du saint. Les chevaux qui tiraient le char contenant le corps de
Wenceslas, au lieu de passer sur les ponts, prirent la voie de l’eau et
traversèrent le fleuve qui ne mouilla que leurs pieds. Puis, se dirigeant vers
la prison, ils n’en bougèrent que lorsqu’il fit grand jour et qu’on eut fait
sortir tous les prisonniers.
Quand le corps fut dans
l’église, une foule se précipita pour le voir. Son cercueil avait été ouvert et
son corps apparaissait comme au jour de l’enterrement mais sans une blessure.
Il lui manquait seulement une oreille que sa soeur Primislave avait trouvé dans
l’église le jour de son assassinat. Elle l’avait soigneusement conservée. Ayant
appris ce qui se passait, elle vint à l’église Saint Vite et recolla l’oreille
de son frère qui se rajusta comme si elle n’avait jamais été coupée.
On représente saint
Wenceslas :
- Assistant au baptême
d’un enfant
- Massacré par son frère
- A cheval et au dessus
de sa tête, un ange tient une couronne
- Debout, armé de pied en
cap.
Il fut patron des armées
Tchèques.
En 1923 on frappa une
monnaie à son effigie.
Certains disent que
cette Vita est un faux.
Son meurtre est en
rapport avec sa soumission à Henri II de Germanie.
Les Tchèques se
soulevèrent et il fut battu en 929.
Documentation :
Les Petits Bollandistes - Tome
11 - pp 475 à 479
La vie des saints - Par
les pères bénédictins de Paris tome 9 pp. 585 à 589
SOURCE : http://carmina-carmina.com/carmina/Mytholosaints/wenceslas.htm
Convent
of Saint Agnes of Bohemia ( Prague ). Art collection: Votive painting of
Archbishop Jan Ocko showing king Wenceslaus adoring Madonna and Child.
Kloster der heiligen Agnes von Böhmen ( Prag ). Kunstsammlung: Votivtafel des Erzbischofs Jan Ocko - König Wenzel verehrt die Madonna mit Child.
Saint
Wencelaus from the Votive Painting of Archbishop Jan Očko of Vlašim, circa 1370
Saint Venceslas
A la mort de son père
Vratislas[1], les Tchèques nommèrent Venceslas[2] duc de Bohême[3]. Et, par la
grâce de Dieu, sa vie chrétienne était parfaite. Il faisait du bien à tous les
pauvres, vêtait ceux qui étaient nus, nourrissait les affamés, recueillait les
voyageurs, selon la parole de l'Evangile. Il ne souffrait pas qu'on fasse du
tort aux veuves, il aimait tous les hommes, riches et pauvres, il servait les
ministres de Dieu, il embellissait beaucoup d'églises.
Mais les seigneurs de
Bohême se révoltèrent[4] et insinuèrent à son frère cadet, Boleslas : « Ton
frère Venceslas va te faire assassiner, il conspire avec sa mère et ses
soldats. »
Comme il y avait dans
toutes les villes des fêtes pour la consécration des églises, Venceslas allait
séjourner dans toutes ces villes. Il fit donc son entrée dans la cité de
Boleslas, un dimanche, en la fête des saints Côme et Damien. Après avoir
entendu la messe, il voulut retourner à Prague. Mais Boleslas le retint avec
perfidie, en lui disant : « Pourquoi veux-tu partir, mon frère ? [5]»
Le lendemain[6] on sonna
la cloche pour les matines. En entendant la cloche, Venceslas dit : Louange à
vous, Seigneur, qui m'avez donné de vivre jusqu'à ce matin. Il se leva et se
rendit aux matines. Aussitôt Boleslas le rejoignit à la porte. Venceslas le
regarda et lui dit : « Mon frère, tu étais hier un bon compagnon pour nous. »
Le diable parla à l'oreille de Boleslas et pervertit son cœur. Tirant son épée,
Boleslas répondit : « Maintenant, je veux être pour toi un meilleur compagnon,
et il lui donna un coup d'épée à la tête. » Venceslas, tourné vers lui, dit
alors : « A quoi penses-tu, mon frère ? » Il l'empoigna et le jeta par
terre[7]. Mais un des conseillers de Boleslas accourut et frappa Venceslas à la
main. Celui-ci, blessé à la main, épargna son frère et accourut vers l'église.
Mais deux assassins l'abattirent à la porte de l'église. Un troisième accourut
et de son épée lui transperça le côté. Alors Venceslas expira aussitôt en
disant : « En vos mains, Seigneur, je remets mon esprit. »
Récit paléoslave
Le corps de Venceslas fut
inhumé dans la petite église des Saints-Côme-et-Damien, à Boleslava, où il y
eut tant de miracles que Boleslas dut consentir à le faire transférer à Prague,
dans l’église Saint-Guy (4 mars 932). Venceslas fut canonisé entre 976 et 996
et sa fête fixée au 28 septembre. Il fut considéré comme le patron des armées
tchèques. En 1848 et en 1914, il fut le signe de ralliement des nationalistes
de Bohême. En 1923, la monnaie d’or du jeune État tchécoslovaque fut frappée à
son effigie et, en 1929, le millième anniversaire de sa mort fut marqué de
fêtes triomphales.
[1] Vratislas I°, fils de
Borzivoï, né en 887, devint duc de Bohême à la mort de son frère Zbignev I°
(915), et jusqu’à sa mort (920).
[2] Fils aîné de
Vratislas I° et de Drahomira, né sans doute vers 907. Il prit personnellement
le pouvoir vers 925.
[3] A la mort de son
père, la régence fut exercée par sa mère et son éducation fut confiée à sa
grand-mère paternelle, sainte Ludmila. Sous un verni chrétien, Drahomira, comme
une bonne partie de la noblesse, restait païenne ; elle fit étrangler Ludmila
(16 septembre 921) pour écarter de Venceslas de son influence.
[4] Dès qu’il eut pris le
pouvoir, Venceslas réagit avec force contre ceux qui voulaient rétablir le
paganisme : « Canailles, pourquoi m’empêchiez-vous d’apprendre la loi divine de
Jésus-Christ, et d’obéir à ses commandements ? Si Dieu vous ennuie, pourquoi
empêcher les autres de l’aimer ? Quant à moi, débarrassé de vous, je rejette vos
conseils, je désire servir Dieu de tout mon cœur ! » Sa mère, Drahomira, était
l’âme des nombreuses intrigues politiques que la noblesse fomentait contre la
sage administration de Venceslas. Il l’exila et lui permi de revenir que
lorsqu’elle eut abjuré sa néfaste politique. Lorsque le roi de Germanie, Henri
l’Oiseleur parut devant Prague (929), Venceslas, voulant être économe du sang
de ses sujets, se soumit ; les opposants se groupèrent alors autour de
Boleslas, frère de Venceslas qui crut son heure arrivée quand on apprit
qu’Henri l’Oiseleur avait été frappé de paralysie (935).
[5] Les conjurés avaient
prévu d’assassiner Venceslas lors du banquet, mais, prévenu, il entra dans la
salle et leva sa coupe en disant : « En l’honneur du bienheureux archange
Michel, en le suppliant de faire entrer nos âmes dans la paix et la jubilation.
» Les assistants ne purent que répondre « Amen. » Venceslas but, ermbrassa ses
amis et se retira pour une longue prière. L’assassinat était repoussé au
lendemain matin.
[6] Au château de
Boleslava - Bunzlau - le 28 septembre 929.
[7] Trouvant son frère près de la porte de l’église, Venceslas lui dit : « Puisse le Christ te convier à son banquet éternel, toi qui m’a si bien reçu moi et ma suite. » Boleslas répliqua : « Hier je t’ai servi comme j’ai pu, mais voici comme le frère va servir le frère », et il le frappa à la tête. Venceslas mit la main à son épée en disant : « Comme tu me fais mal ! » puis il jeta son arme à terre : « Tu t’es condamné toi-même. Je pourrais t’écraser comme une mouche, mais la dextre d’un serviteur de Dieu ne doit pas être fratricide. » Alors un conseiller de Boleslas appela ses gens et ils achevèrent Venceslas qui allait vers l’église.
SOURCE : http://missel.free.fr/Sanctoral/09/28.php
Wenzeslaus,
probably by Peter Parler, XIVc, St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague
VOYAGE APOSTOLIQUE
DU PAPE BENOÎT XVI
EN RÉPUBLIQUE TCHÈQUE
(26-28 SEPTEMBRE 2009)
MESSE EN LA FÊTE
LITURGIQUE DE
SAINT VENCESLAS, PATRON
DE LA NATION
HOMÉLIE DU SAINT-PÈRE
Esplanade de la rue
Melnik à Stará Boleslav
Lundi 28 septembre 2009
Messieurs les Cardinaux,
Chers frères dans
l’Episcopat et dans le Sacerdoce,
Chers frères et sœurs,
Chers jeunes,
C’est avec une grande
joie que je vous rencontre ce matin, alors que va se conclure mon voyage
apostolique dans la bien-aimée République Tchèque, et j’adresse mon cordial
salut à vous tous, de façon particulière au Cardinal Archevêque, auquel je suis
reconnaissant pour les paroles qu’il m’a adressées en votre nom au commencement
de la célébration eucharistique. Mon salut s’étend aux autres Cardinaux, aux
Évêques, aux prêtres et aux personnes consacrées, aux représentants des
mouvements et des associations de laïcs et spécialement aux jeunes. Je salue
avec déférence Monsieur le Président de la République, auquel je présente mes
vœux cordiaux à l’occasion de sa fête ; vœux qu’il me plaît d’adresser à ceux
qui portent le nom de Venceslas, et au peuple tchèque tout entier au jour de sa
fête nationale.
Ce matin le souvenir
glorieux du martyre saint Venceslas, dont j’ai pu vénérer la relique, avant la
messe, dans la Basilique qui lui est dédiée, nous réunit autour de l’autel. Il
a versé son sang sur votre terre et son aigle que vous avez choisi comme
écusson de la visite d’aujourd’hui – votre Cardinal Archevêque l’a rappelé il y
a peu – constitue l’emblème historique de la noble Nation tchèque. Ce grand
saint que vous aimez appeler ‘éternel’ Prince des Tchèques, nous invite à
suivre toujours et fidèlement le Christ, il nous invite à être des saints.
Lui-même est un modèle de sainteté pour tous, spécialement pour tous ceux qui
conduisent le destin des communautés et des peuples. Mais nous nous demandons :
de nos jours la sainteté est-elle encore actuelle ? ou n’est-ce pas plutôt un
sujet peu attirant et peu important ? Ne recherche-t-on pas davantage
aujourd’hui le succès et la gloire des hommes ? Cependant, combien dure et
combien vaut le succès terrestre ?
Le siècle passé – et
votre terre en a été le témoin – a vu tomber de nombreux puissants, qui
paraissaient arrivés à des hauteurs presque inaccessibles. Á l’improviste, ils
se sont retrouvés privés de leur pouvoir. Celui qui a nié et continue à nier
Dieu et, en conséquence, ne respecte pas l’homme, semble avoir une vie facile
et accéder au succès matériel. Mais il suffit de gratter la surface pour
constater que, dans ces personnes, il y a de la tristesse et de
l’insatisfaction. Seul celui qui conserve dans son cœur la sainte ‘crainte de
Dieu’ a aussi confiance en l’homme et consacre son existence à construire un
monde plus juste et plus fraternel. Aujourd’hui on a besoin de personnes qui
soient ‘croyantes’ et ‘crédibles’, prêtes à répandre dans tous les milieux de la
société ces principes et ces idéaux chrétiens dont s’inspire leur action. C’est
cela la sainteté, vocation universelle de tous les baptisés, qui pousse à
accomplir son devoir avec fidélité et courage, regardant non pas son propre
intérêt égoïste, mais le bien commun, et recherchant à tout moment la volonté
divine.
Dans la page évangélique
nous avons entendu à ce sujet des paroles très claires : « Quel avantage –
affirme Jésus – un homme aura-t-il à gagner le monde entier, s’il le paye de sa
vie ? » (Mt 16, 26). Il nous incite ainsi à considérer que la valeur
authentique de l’existence humaine n’est pas mesurée seulement aux biens
terrestres et aux intérêts passagers, parce que ce ne sont pas les réalités
matérielles qui satisfont la soif profonde de sens et de bonheur qu’il y a dans
le cœur de toute personne. C’est pourquoi Jésus n’hésite pas à proposer à ses
disciples la voie ‘étroite’ de la sainteté : « Qui perd sa vie à cause de moi
la gardera » (v. 25). Et il nous répète résolument ce matin : « Si quelqu’un
veut marcher derrière moi, qu’il renonce à lui-même, qu’il prenne sa croix et
qu’il me suive » (v. 24). C’est certainement un langage dur, difficile à
accepter et à mettre en pratique, mais le témoignage des saints et des saintes
assure que c’est possible pour tous, si on a foi dans le Christ et si on s’en
remet à lui. Leur exemple encourage celui qui se dit chrétien à être crédible,
c’est-à-dire cohérent avec les principes et la foi qu’il professe. Il ne suffit
pas en effet d’apparaître bons et honnêtes ; il faut l’être réellement. Bon et
honnête est celui qui ne couvre pas de son moi la lumière de Dieu, ne se met
pas en avant lui-même, mais laisse Dieu transparaître.
C’est cela la leçon de
vie de saint Venceslas, qui eut le courage de préférer le royaume du ciel à la
fascination de celui de la terre. Son regard ne se détacha jamais de Jésus
Christ, qui souffrit pour nous, nous laissant un exemple, pour que nous en
suivions les traces, comme écrit saint Pierre dans la seconde lecture proclamée
tout à l’heure. En disciple docile du Seigneur, le jeune souverain Venceslas
demeura fidèle aux enseignements évangéliques que lui avait donnés sa sainte
grand-mère, la martyre Ludmila. Les suivant encore avant de s’engager à
construire une cohabitation pacifique à l’intérieur de la Patrie et avec les
pays voisins, il mit tout en œuvre pour propager la foi chrétienne, appelant
des prêtres et construisant des églises. Dans le premier ‘récit’ paléoslave on
lit qu’ « il servait les ministres de Dieu et il embellissait beaucoup
d’églises » et qu’« il faisait du bien à tous les pauvres, vêtait ceux qui
étaient nus, nourrissait les affamés, recueillait les voyageurs, selon la
parole de l’Evangile. Il ne souffrait pas qu’on fasse du tort aux veuves, il
aimait tous les hommes, qu’ils soient pauvres ou riches ». Il apprit du
Seigneur à être « miséricordieux et pieux » (Psaume resp.) et animé d’un esprit
évangélique il parvint à pardonner même à son frère, qui avait attenté à sa
vie. Par conséquent, vous l’invoquez à juste titre comme ‘Héritier’ de votre
Nation, et, dans un cantique que vous connaissez bien, vous lui demandez de ne
pas permettre qu’elle périsse.
Venceslas est mort martyr
pour le Christ. Il est intéressant de noter que son frère Boleslas réussit, en
le tuant, à s’emparer du trône de Prague, mais la couronne que par la suite ses
successeurs se mettaient sur la tête ne portait pas son nom. Elle portait le
nom de Venceslas, en témoignage que «le trône du roi qui juge les pauvres dans
la vérité restera solide pour l’éternité » (cf. l’Office des lectures de ce
jour). Ce fait fut jugé comme une merveilleuse intervention de Dieu, qui
n’abandonne pas ses fidèles : « l’innocent vaincu vainc le cruel vainqueur de
la même façon que le Christ sur la croix » (cf. La légende de saint Venceslas),
et le sang du martyr n’a appelé ni haine ni vengeance, mais le pardon et la
paix.
Chers frères et sœurs, en
cette Eucharistie, remercions ensemble le Seigneur d’avoir donné à votre Patrie
et à l’Eglise ce saint souverain. Prions en même temps pour que, comme lui,
nous aussi nous marchions d’un pas alerte vers la sainteté. C’est certainement
difficile, parce que la foi est toujours exposée à de multiples défis, mais
quand on se laisse attirer par Dieu qui est Vérité, le chemin se fait décidé,
parce qu’on fait l’expérience de la force de son amour. Que l’intercession de
saint Venceslas et des autres saints protecteurs des terres tchèques nous
obtienne cette grâce. Que Marie, Reine de la paix et Mère de l’Amour nous
protège et nous assiste toujours. Amen !
© Copyright 2009 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana
Saint Wenceslas
Né vers 907, mort en 929. Canonisé entre 976 et 996, fête en 1729.
Leçons des Matines avant
1960
Quatrième leçon.
Wenceslas, duc de Bohême, eut pour père Wratislas, qui était chrétien, et pour
mère Drahomire, qui était païenne. Élevé pieusement par son aïeule Ludmille,
femme d’une très grande sainteté, il se signala dans la pratique de toutes les
vertus. Toute sa vie, il conserva avec le plus grand soin sa virginité sans
tache. Sa mère parvenue à l’administration du royaume par le meurtre odieux de
Ludmille, et vivant dans l’impiété ainsi que son plus jeune fils Boleslas,
excita contre elle l’indignation des nobles, et ceux-ci, fatigués d’un règne
tyrannique et impie, secouèrent le joug de la mère et du fils. Assemblés dans
la ville de Prague, ils se choisirent pour roi Wenceslas.
Cinquième leçon. Celui-ci
gouverna son royaume plus par sa bonté que par l’exercice de son autorité. Il
secourait les orphelins, les veuves et les pauvres avec tant de charité, qu’on
le vit parfois, durant la nuit, porter sur ses épaules du bois destiné aux
indigents, assister fréquemment à leurs inhumations, délivrer les captifs,
visiter les prisonniers par des nuits affreuses, et bien souvent les consoler
par ses aumônes et ses conseils. Telle était la mansuétude de ce prince, qu’il
déplorait amèrement d’avoir à prononcer la sentence de mort contre un coupable.
Il avait pour les Prêtres une très grande vénération, et, de ses mains, il
semait le froment et pressait les raisins qui devaient fournir la matière au
saint Sacrifice de la Messe. La nuit, marchant pieds nus sur la neige et sur la
glace, il faisait le tour des églises, ses pas restant marqués sur la terre par
des empreintes chaudes et sanglantes.
Sixième leçon. Les Anges se constituèrent les gardiens de son corps. Un jour, en effet, qu’il s’apprêtait à engager un combat singulier avec Radislas, duc de Gurime, dans le but de pourvoir au salut des siens, on vit des Anges lui apporter des armes, et on les entendit adresser à son adversaire ces paroles : « Ne le frappe pas. » Saisi de terreur, son ennemi se jeta humblement à ses pieds et lui demanda grâce. Un autre jour qu’il faisait un voyage en Germanie, l’empereur, à l’approche de Wenceslas, vit des Anges décorer ce Saint d’une croix d’or. Se levant alors aussitôt de son trône, il alla le recevoir dans ses bras, le revêtit des insignes royaux et lui fit don du bras de saint Vite. Cependant l’impie Boleslas, à l’instigation de sa mère, après l’avoir reçu à sa table, s’en alla, avec des complices le tuer dans l’église où il était en prière, car le Saint prévoyait bien la mort qu’on lui préparait. Son sang jaillit sur la muraille et l’on en voit encore aujourd’hui les traces. Dieu vengea ce meurtre : la terre engloutit cette mère dénaturée, et les meurtriers périrent misérablement de diverses manières.
SOURCE : http://www.introibo.fr/28-09-St-Wenceslas-martyr
Oltář
ve Svojšíně objednal hrabě Althan v roce 1773 jako připomínku vítězné bitvy u
Kolína, po které rakouští generálové navštívili ve Svojšicích 20. 6. 1757 Te
Deum.
Also
known as
Vaceslav
Vaclav
Václav
Venceslao
Wenceslas
Wenzel
28
September (which is Czech Statehood Day in the Czech
Republic)
Profile
Son of Vratislav I, Duke of Bohemia,
whose family had been converted by Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius,
and Drahomira, daughter of a pagan chief;
she was baptized on
her wedding day,
but who apparently never seriously took to the faith.
Grandson and student of Saint Ludmilla. Duke of Bohemia,
ascending to power when his father was killed during
a pagan backlash
against Christianity,
which he fought against with prayer and
patience. Murdered by
his brother Boleslaus at the door of a church; killed for political reasons,
but normally listed as a martyr since
the politics arose from his faith. Miracles reported
at his tomb. Subject of the Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas.
Born
907 at Prague, Bohemia (in Czech
Republic)
28
September 929 at
Brandýs nad Labem-Stará Boleslav, Bohemia (in Czech
Republic)
Prague, Czech
Republic, archdiocese of
Prague, Czech
Republic, city of
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Readings
At the death of
Vratislaus, the people of Bohemia made
his son Wencelsaus their king.
He was by God‘s
grace a man of utmost faith. He was charitable to the poor,
and he would clothe the naked, feed the hungry, and offer hospitality to
travelers according to the summons of the Gospel. He would not allow widows to
be treated unjustly; he loved all his people, both rich and poor; he also
provided for the servants of God, and he adorned many churches. The men of Bohemia,
however, became arrogant and prevailed upon Boleslaus, his younger brother.
They told him, “Your brother Wenceslaus is conspiring with his mother and his men
to kill you.” On the feasts of the dedication of the churches in various
cities, Wenceslaus was in the habit of paying them a visit. One Sunday he
entered the city of Boleslaus, on the feast of Saints Cosmas and Damian, and
after hearing Mass, he planned to return to Prague.
But Boleslaus, with his wicked plan in mind, detained him with the words, “Why
are you leaving brother?” The next morning when they rang the bell for
matins, Wencelaus, on hearing the sound, said, “Praise to you, Lord; you have
allowed me to live to this morning.” And so he rose and went to matins. Immediately
Boleslaus followed him to the church door. Wenceslaus looked back at him and
said, “Brother, you were a good subject to me yesterday.” But the devil had
already blocked the ears of Boleslaus, and perverted his heart. Drawing his
sword, Boleslaus replied, “And now I intend to be a better one!” With these
words, he struck his brother’s head with his sword. But Wenceslaus turned and
said, “Brother, what are you trying to do?” And with that he seized Boleslaus
and threw him to the ground. But one of Boleslaus’ counselors ran up and
stabbed Wenceslaus in the hand. With his hand wounded, he let go of his brother
and took refuge in the church. But two evil men struck him down at the church
door; and then another rushed up and ran him through with a sword. Thereupon,
Wenceslaus died with the words, “Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my
spirit.” – from an old Slavic legend about Saint Wenceslaus
Good King Wenceslaus
Good King Wenceslas
looked out, on the Feast of Stephen,
When the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even;
Brightly shone the moon that night, tho’ the frost was cruel,
When a poor man came in sight, gath’ring winter fuel.
“Hither, page, and stand
by me, if thou know’st it, telling,
Yonder peasant, who is he? Where and what his dwelling?”
“Sire, he lives a good league hence, underneath the mountain;
Right against the forest fence, by Saint Agnes’ fountain.”
“Bring me flesh, and
bring me wine, bring me pine logs hither:
Thou and I will see him dine, when we bear them thither.”
Page and monarch, forth they went, forth they went together;
Through the rude wind’s wild lament and the bitter weather.
“Sire, the night is
darker now, and the wind blow stronger;
Fails my heart, I know not how; I can go no longer.”
“Mark my footsteps, my good page. Tread thou in them boldly
Thou shalt find the winter’s rage freeze thy blood less coldly.”
In his master’s steps he
trod, where the snow lay dinted;
Heat was in the very sod which the saint had printed.
Therefore, Christian men, be sure, wealth or rank possessing,
Ye who now will bless the poor, shall yourselves find blessing.
MLA
Citation
“Saint Wenceslaus of
Bohemia“. CatholicSaints.Info. 25 April 2024. Web. 28 September 2024.
<https://catholicsaints.info/saint-wenceslaus-of-bohemia/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-wenceslaus-of-bohemia/
Old
town square ( Prague ). Stork-House ( 19th century ): Wall painting showing
Saint Wenceslaus by Mikolas Ales.
Altstädter
Ring ( Prag ). Storch-Haus ( 19.Jhdt. ): St.Wenzel von Mikolas Ales.
HOMILY BY THE HOLY FATHER
Dear Cardinals,
My Brother Bishops and Priests,
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Dear Young People,
It gives me great joy to
be with you this morning, as my apostolic
visit to the beloved Czech Republic draws to a close, and I offer all
of you my heartfelt greeting, especially the Cardinal Archbishop, to whom I am
grateful for the words that he addressed to me in your name at the start of
Mass. My greeting goes also to the other Cardinals, the Bishops, the priests
and consecrated persons, the representatives of lay movements and associations,
and especially the young people. I respectfully greet the President of the
Republic, to whom I offer cordial good wishes on the occasion of his name-day;
and I gladly extend these wishes to all who bear the name of Wenceslaus and to
the entire Czech people on the day of this national feast.
This morning, we are
gathered around the altar for the glorious commemoration of the martyr Saint
Wenceslaus, whose relics I was able to venerate before Mass in the Basilica
dedicated to him. He shed his blood in your land, and his eagle, which – as the
Cardinal Archbishop has just mentioned – you chose as a symbol for this visit,
constitutes the historical emblem of the noble Czech nation. This great saint,
whom you are pleased to call the “eternal” Prince of the Czechs, invites us
always to follow Christ faithfully, he invites us to be holy. He himself is a
model of holiness for all people, especially the leaders of communities and peoples.
Yet we ask ourselves: in our day, is holiness still relevant? Or is it now
considered unattractive and unimportant? Do we not place more value today on
worldly success and glory? Yet how long does earthly success last, and what
value does it have?
The last century – as
this land of yours can bear witness – saw the fall of a number of powerful
figures who had apparently risen to almost unattainable heights. Suddenly they
found themselves stripped of their power. Those who denied and continue to deny
God, and in consequence have no respect for man, appear to have a comfortable
life and to be materially successful. Yet one need only scratch the surface to
realize how sad and unfulfilled these people are. Only those who maintain in
their hearts a holy “fear of God” can also put their trust in man and spend
their lives building a more just and fraternal world. Today there is a need for
believers with credibility, who are ready to spread in every area of society
the Christian principles and ideals by which their action is inspired. This is
holiness, the universal vocation of all the baptized, which motivates people to
carry out their duty with fidelity and courage, looking not to their own
selfish interests but to the common good, seeking God’s will at every moment.
In the Gospel we heard
Jesus speaking clearly on this subject: “What will it profit a man, if he gains
the whole world and forfeits his life?” (Mt 16:26). In this way we are led to
consider that the true value of human life is measured not merely in terms of
material goods and transient interests, because it is not material goods that
quench the profound thirst for meaning and happiness in the heart of every
person. This is why Jesus does not hesitate to propose to his disciples the
“narrow” path of holiness: “whoever loses his life for my sake will find it”
(16:25). And he resolutely repeats to us this morning: “If any man would come
after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (16:24).
Without doubt, this is hard language, difficult to accept and put into
practice, but the testimony of the saints assures us that it is possible for
all who trust and entrust themselves to Christ. Their example encourages those
who call themselves Christian to be credible, that is, consistent with the
principles and the faith that they profess. It is not enough to appear good and
honest: one must truly be so. And the good and honest person is one who does
not obscure God’s light with his own ego, does not put himself forward, but
allows God to shine through.
This is the lesson we can
learn from Saint Wenceslaus, who had the courage to prefer the kingdom of
heaven to the enticement of worldly power. His gaze never moved away from Jesus
Christ, who suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow in his
steps, as Saint Peter writes in the second reading that we just heard. As an
obedient disciple of the Lord, the young prince Wenceslaus remained faithful to
the Gospel teachings he had learned from his saintly grandmother, the martyr Ludmila.
In observing these, even before committing himself to build peaceful relations
within his lands and with neighbouring countries, he took steps to spread the
Christian faith, summoning priests and building churches. In the first Old
Slavonic “narration”, we read that “he assisted God’s ministers and he also
adorned many churches” and that “he was benevolent to the poor, clothed the
naked, gave food to the hungry, welcomed pilgrims, just as the Gospel enjoins.
He did not allow injustice to be done to widows, he loved all people, whether
poor or rich”. He learned from the Lord to be “merciful and gracious” (Responsorial
Psalm), and animated by the Gospel spirit he was even able to pardon his
brother who tried to kill him. Rightly, then, you invoke him as the “heir” of
your nation, and in a well-known song, you ask him not to let it perish.
Wenceslaus died as a
martyr for Christ. It is interesting to note that, by killing him, his brother
Boleslaus succeeded in taking possession of the throne of Prague, but the crown
placed on the heads of his successors did not bear his name. Rather, it bears
the name of Wenceslaus, as a testimony that “the throne of the king who judges
the poor in truth will remain firm for ever” (cf. today’s Office of
Readings). This fact is judged as a miraculous intervention by God, who does
not abandon his faithful: “the conquered innocent defeated the cruel conqueror
just as Christ did on the cross” (cf. The Legend of Saint Wenceslaus), and
the blood of the martyr did not cry out for hatred or revenge, but rather for
pardon and peace.
Dear brothers and
sisters, together let us give thanks to the Lord in this Eucharist for giving
this saintly ruler to your country and to the Church. Let us also pray that,
like him, we too may walk along the path of holiness. It is certainly
difficult, since faith is always exposed to multiple challenges, but when we
allow ourselves to be drawn towards God who is Truth, the path becomes
decisive, because we experience the power of his love. May the intercession of
Saint Wenceslaus and of the other patron saints of the Czech Lands obtain this
grace for us. May we always be protected and assisted by Mary, Queen of Peace
and Mother of Love. Amen!
© Copyright 2009 -
Libreria Editrice Vaticana
Copyright © Dicastero per
la Comunicazione - Libreria Editrice Vaticana
Anton
Petter (1781–1858), Mord von St. Wenzel / Zavraždění svatého
Václava / Murder of Saint Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia,
1844, 850 x 510, Kroměříž Archdiocesan Museum
Saint Wenceslaus
Saint Wenceslaus was born
circa 907 near Prague in present-day Czech Republic.
After the tragic death of
his father in battle when Wenceslaus was only 13, his mother, the pagan
Drahomira, ascended to the throne. She quickly ushered in an era of
anti-Christian governance, a stark contrast to the Christian upbringing that
Wenceslaus received from his grandmother, St. Ludmilla.
The tension between
Drahomira and Ludmilla reached a boiling point when the former orchestrated the
murder of the latter. Drahomira’s rule became increasingly oppressive in the
name of young Wenceslaus. Recognizing the toll this was taking on his people,
at 18, Wenceslaus overthrew his mother, taking the reins of the kingdom
himself.
As a monarch, Wenceslaus
collaborated closely with the Church. He tirelessly worked to transform his
pagan homeland. Ending the persecution of Christians was top of his agenda,
followed by constructing churches and recalling banished priests. His reign was
marked by piety and philanthropy, earning him the affectionate title “Good
King” from his subjects.
Wenceslaus led a life of
chastity, and his compassion for the downtrodden was well-known. Not only did
he provide for the poor, but he also personally attended their funerals, freed
captives, and visited prisons. He took upon himself tasks like preparing wheat
for altar breads and pressing grapes for ceremonial wine. Legend has it that in
winter, he would traverse snowy terrains barefooted to churches, leaving a
trail of bloodied footprints.
In 929, the German king,
Henry I, threatened invasion. Opting for peace over battle, Wenceslaus
submitted, a decision that displeased his pagan brother, Boleslav. Under the
guise of brotherly love, Boleslav invited Wenceslaus to his castle. The
subsequent day, September 28, 929, en route to Mass, a treacherous Boleslav
assassinated Wenceslaus.
In his final moments,
Wenceslaus exemplified Christ-like forgiveness, pardoning his brother and
praying for his salvation. His untimely death at 22 led to his canonization,
making him the first Slav saint. Today, he is a symbol of hope for the Czech
Republic and is venerated as its national hero.
Saint Wenceslaus is not
just the patron of Bohemia, but also the patron for brewers and Moravia.
SOURCE : https://ucatholic.com/saints/wenceslaus/
St. Wenceslaus
Feastday: September 28
Patron: of Bohemia, Czech state, Prague
Birth: 907
Death: 935
St. Wenceslaus, also
known by Vaclav, was born near Prague, and was the son of Duke Wratislaw. He
was taught Christianity by
his grandmother, St. Ludmila. The Magyars, along with Drahomira, an
anti-Christian faction murdered the Duke and St. Lumila, and took over the
government. Wenceslaus was declared the new ruler after a coup in 922. He
encouraged Christianity. Boleslaus, his brother, no longer successor to the
throne, after Wenceslaus' son was born, joined a group of noble Czech
dissenters. They invited Wenceslaus to a religious festival, trapped and killed
him on the way to Mass. He is the patron saint of Bohemia and
his feast day is
Sept. 28.
SOURCE : https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=592
WENCESLAS recalls to
us the entrance into the Church of a warlike nation, the Czechs, the most
indomitable of the Slavonic tribes, which had penetrated into the very midst of
Germany. It is well known, with what bitterness and active energy this nation
upholds its social claims, as though its struggle for existence in the early
days of its history had made it proof against every trial. The faith of its
apostles and Martyrs, the Roman faith, will be the safeguard, as it is the bond
of union, of the countries subject to the crown of St. Wenceslas. Heresy,
whether it be the native Hussite, or the 'reform' imported from Germany, can
but lead the people to eternal ruin; may they never yield to the advances and
seductions of schism! Wenceslas the Martyr, grandson of the holy Martyr
Ludmilla, and great-uncle of the monk-bishop and Martyr Adalbert, invites his
faithful subjects to follow him in the only path where they may find honour and
security both for this world and for the next.
The conversion of Bohemia
dates from the latter part of the ninth century, when St. Methodius Baptized
St. Ludmilla and her husband Borziwoi the first Christian duke of the line of
Premislas. The pagan reaction, during which St. Wenceslas gained the palm of
Martyrdom, was but shortlived.
Wenceslaus, duke of
Bohemia, was born of a Christian father, Wratislas, and a pagan mother,
Drahomira. Brought up in piety by the holy woman Ludmilla his grandmother, he
was adorned with every virtue and with the utmost care preserved his virginity
unspotted throughout his life. His mother, having murdered Ludmilla, seized the
reins of government; but her wicked life, and that of her younger son Boleslas
excited the indignation of the nobles. These, wearied of a tyrannical and
impious rule, threw off the yoke of both mother and son, and proclaimed
Wenceslaus king at Prague.
He ruled his kingdom
rather by kindness than authority. He succoured orphans, widows, and all the
poor with the greatest charity, sometimes even carrying wood on his shoulders,
by night, to those in need of it. He frequently assisted at the funerals of
poor persons, liberated captives, and often visited the prisoners during the
night, assisting them with gifts and advice. It caused great sorrow to his
tender heart to condemn even the guilty to death. He had the greatest reverence
for priests; and with his own hands he would . . . prepare the wine to be used
in the sacrifice of the Mass. At night he used to go the round of the churches
barefoot, through ice and snow, while his bloodstained footprints warmed the
ground.
The Angels formed his
bodyguard. In order to spare the lives of his soldiers, he undertook to fight
in single combat with Radislas, duke of Gurima; but when the latter saw Angels
arming Wenceslaus, and heard them forbidding him to strike, he was terrified
and fell at the Saint's feet begging his forgiveness. On one occasion, when he
had gone to Germany, the emperor, at his approach, saw two Angels adorning him
with a golden cross whereupon, rising from his throne, he embraced the Saint,
bestowed on him the regal insignia, and presented him with the arm of St.
Vitus.
Nevertheless, instigated
by their mother, his wicked brother invited him to a banquet, and then,
together with some accomplices, killed him as he was praying in the church,
aware of the death that awaited him. His blood is still to be seen sprinkled on
the walls. God avenged His Saint; the earth swallowed up the inhuman mother,
and the murderers perished miserably in various ways.
Thou didst win thy crown
O holy Martyr, in the church of Saints Cosmos and Damian, whither their feast
had attracted thee. [Christian de Scala, son of the fratricidc Boleslas the
cruel, and nephew of the Saint; he became a monk, and wrote the lives of St.
Wenceslaus and St. Ludmilla.] As thou didst honour them, we now in turn honour
thee. We are also hailing the approach of that other solemnity, which thou
didst greet with thy last words at the fratricidal banquet: 'In honour of the
Archangel Michael let us drink this cup, and let us beseech him to lead our
souls into the peace of eternal happiness.' [Ibid.] What a sublime pledge, when
thou wast already grasping the chalice of blood! O Wenceslaus, fire us with
that intrepid valour, which is ever humble and gentle, simple as God to Whom it
tends, calm as the Angels on whom it relies. Succour the Church in these
unfortunate times; the whole Church honours thee, she has a right to expect thy
assistance. But especially cherish for her the nation of which thou art the
honour; as long as it remains faithful to thy blessed memory, and looks to thy
patronage in its earthly combats, its wandering from the truth will not be
without return.
Adapted from THE
LITURGICAL YEAR, Vol. XIV by Dom Gueranger
The Saint lived in the
early 10th century.
SOURCE : http://www.catholictradition.org/Saints/saints9-21.htm
Tombeau de Saint Venceslas en la cathedrale Saint Guy, Château de Prague
St. Wenceslaus
(Also Vaclav,
Vaceslav.)
Duke, martyr,
and patron of Bohemia,
born probably 903; died at Alt-Bunzlau, 28 September, 935.
His parents were
Duke Wratislaw, a Christian,
and Dragomir, a heathen.
He received a good Christian education from
his grandmother (St.
Ludmilla) and at Budweis.
After the death of Wratislaw, Dragomir, acting as regent, opposed Christianity,
and Wenceslaus, being urged by the people, took the reins of government. He
placed his duchy under the protection of Germany,
introduced German priests,
and favoured the Latin
rite instead of the old Slavic,
which had gone into disuse in many places for want of priests.
Wenceslaus had taken the vow of virginity and
was known for his virtues.
The Emperor Otto
I conferred on him the regal dignity and title. For religious and
national motives, and at the instigation of Dragomir, Wenceslaus was murdered by
his brother Boleslaw. The body, hacked to pieces, was buried at
the place of murder,
but three years later Boleslaw, having repented of his deed, ordered its
translation to the Church of St. Vitus in Prague.
The gathering of his relics is
noted in the calendars on
27 June, their translation on 4 March; his feast is
celebrated on 28 September.
Mershman,
Francis. "St. Wenceslaus." The Catholic
Encyclopedia. Vol. 15. New York: Robert Appleton
Company, 1912. 28 Sept.
2015 <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15587b.htm>.
Transcription. This
article was transcribed for New Advent by Marie Jutras.
Ecclesiastical
approbation. Nihil Obstat. October 1, 1912. Remy Lafort, S.T.D.,
Censor. Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York.
Copyright © 2023 by Kevin Knight.
Dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
SOURCE : https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15587b.htm
Statue
de saint Venceslas à Olomouc, République tchèque
St. Wenceslas, Duke of
Bohemia, Martyr
From his life written by
John Dubraw, bishop of Olmutz, in Moravia, in the reign of Charles V. See also
Æneas Sylvius, Hist. Bonem. l. 2, c. 14, 15, and other historians of that
country; with the remarks of Suysken, t. 7, Sept. p. 770; Balbinius, in
Miscell. Bohem. &c.
A.D. 938.
ST. WENCESLAS was son of
Uratislas, duke of Bohemia, and of Drahomira of Lucsko, and grandson of
Borivor, the first Christian duke, and the blessed Ludmilla. His father was a
valiant and good prince; but his mother was a pagan, and her heart was not less
depraved, as to sentiments of morality, than as to those of religion. This
princess was not less cruel than haughty, nor less perfidious than impious. She
had two sons, Wenceslas, and Boleslas. Ludmilla, who lived at Prague ever since
the death of her husband, obtained, as the greatest of favours, that the
education of the elder might be intrusted to her, and she undertook, with the
utmost care and application, to form his heart to devotion and the love of God.
In this task she was assisted by Paul, her chaplain, a man of great sanctity
and prudence, who likewise cultivated the young prince’s mind with the first
rudiments of learning. The pious pupil perfectly corresponded with their
endeavours, and with the divine grace which rendered him a saint from the
cradle. At a convenient age he was sent to a college at Budweis, above sixty
miles from Prague, where, under the direction of an excellent master, he made
great progress in the sciences, and other exercises suitable to his rank, and
much more in all the virtues which compose the character of a Christian and a
saint. He was extremely devout, mortified, meek, modest, a great lover of
purity, and scrupulously careful in avoiding all occasions in which that virtue
could be exposed to the least danger.
He was yet young, when
his father dying, his mother Drahomira, assumed the title of regent, and seized
on the government. Being no longer held in by any restraint, she gave a free
loose to her rage against the Christians (which she had concealed whilst her
husband lived) and published a severe order for shutting up all the churches,
prohibiting the exercise of our holy religion, and forbidding priests and all
others who professed it, to teach or instruct children. She repealed all the
laws and regulations which Borivor and Uladislas had made in favour of the
Christians, removed the Christian magistrates in all the towns in Bohemia, put
heathens in their places, and employed only such officers as were blindly
devoted to follow the dictates of her passions and tyranny; and these she
incited every where to oppress the Christians, of whom great numbers were
massacred. Ludmilla, sensibly afflicted at these public disorders, and full of
concern for the interest of religion, which she and her consort had established
with so much difficulty, by strong remonstrances showed Wenceslas the necessity
of his taking the reins of the government into his own hands, promising to
assist him with her directions and best advice. The young duke obeyed, and the
Bohemians testified their approbation of his conduct: but, to prevent all
disputes between him and his younger brother, they divided the country between
them, assigning to the latter a considerable territory, which retains from him
the name of Boleslavia, and is one of the chief circles of Bohemia.
Drahomira, enraged at
these steps, secured herself an interest in Boleslas, her younger son, whose
heart she had so far perverted, as to taint him with the most execrable
idolatry, hatred of the Christian religion, boundless ambition, and implacable
cruelty. Wenceslas, on the other hand, pursuant to the impressions of virtue
which he had received in his education, was more careful than ever to preserve
the innocence of his morals, and acquire every day some new degree of Christian
perfection. He directed all his views to the establishment of peace, justice,
and religion in his dominions, and, by the advice of Ludmilla, chose able and
zealous Christian ministers. After spending the whole day in acts of piety and
application to the affairs of state, and of his court, he employed a great part
of the night in prayer. Such was his devout veneration for the holy sacrament
of the altar, that he thought it a great happiness to sow the corn, gather the
grapes, and make the wine with his own hands which were to be made use of at
mass. Not content to pray often in the day with singular joy and fervour before
the holy sacrament in the church, he usually rose at midnight, and went to pray
in the churches, or even in the porches; nor did he fail in this practice in
the deepest snows. His austerities in a court seemed to equal those of
anchorets in the deserts, and he applied himself with great diligence to all
manner of charitable offices, in relieving orphans and widows, helping the
poor, accompanying their bodies to the grave, visiting prisons, and redeeming
captives. It was his desire to shut himself up in a monastery, had not the
necessities of his country and religion fixed him in a public station: however,
amidst the distractions of government, he found rest for his soul in God, its
centre. The good prince stood in need of this comfort and support amidst the
storms with which he was assailed. Drahomira never ceased to conjure up all the
furies of hell against him. Looking upon Ludmilla as the first mover of all
counsels in favour of the Christian religion, she laid a plot to take away her
life. Ludmilla was informed of it, and, without being disturbed, prepared
herself for death. With this view she distributed her goods and money among her
servants and the poor, confirmed the duke in his good resolutions for
maintaining religion, made her confession to her chaplain Paul, and received
the holy viaticum. The assassins found her prostrate in prayer before the altar
in her domestic chapel, and, seizing on her, strangled her with her own veil.
She is honoured in Bohemia as a martyr on the 16th of September.
This complicated crime
was very sensible to St. Wenceslas; a circumstance which exceedingly aggravated
his grief was, that so execrable an action should have been perpetrated by the
direction of his mother. But he poured out his complaints to God alone, humbly
adored his judgments and holy providence, and interceding for the conversion of
his unnatural mother. She was seconded in her malicious intrigues by a powerful
faction. Radislas, prince of Gurima, a neighbouring country, despising the
saint’s piety, invaded his dominions with a formidable army. Wenceslas, willing
to maintain peace, sent him a message, desiring to know what provocation he had
given him, and declaring that he was ready to accept any terms for an
accommodation that was consistent with what he owed to God and his people.
Radislas treated this embassy as an effect of cowardice, and insolently
answered, that the surrender of Bohemia was the only condition on which he
would hear of peace. Wenceslas finding himself obliged to appear in arms,
marched against the invader. When the two armies were near one another, our
saint desired a conference with Radislas, and proposed, that, to spare the
blood of so many innocent persons, it was a just expedient to leave the issue
of the affair to a single combat between them. Radislas accepted the proposal,
imagining himself secure of the victory. The two princes accordingly met at the
head of both armies, in order to put an end to the war by this duel. Wenceslas
was but slightly armed with a short sword and a target; yet, making the sign of
the cross, marched boldly towards his antagonist, like a second David against
Goliah. Radislas attempted to throw a javelin at him, but, as the Bohemian
historians assure us, saw two angels protecting the saint. Whereupon he threw
down his arms, and falling on his knees, begged his pardon, and declared
himself at his disposal.
The emperor Otho I.
having assembled a general diet at Worms, St. Wenceslas arrived at it late in
the day, having been stopped by hearing a high mass on the road. Some of the
princes took offence hereat; but the emperor, who had the highest opinion of
his sanctity, received him with great honour, would have him sit next his
person, and bade him ask whatever he pleased, and it should be granted him. The
saint asked an arm of the body of St. Vitus, and a part of the relics of St.
Sigismund, king of Burgundy. The emperor readily granted his request; adding,
that he conferred on him the regal dignity and title, and granted him the
privilege of bearing the imperial eagle on his standard, with an exemption from
paying any imperial taxes throughout all his dominions. The good duke thanked
his majesty, but excused himself from taking the title of king: which, however,
the emperor and princes of the empire from that time always gave him in
letters, and on all other occasions. When he had received the above-mentioned
relics, he built a church in Prague, in which he deposited them; and caused the
body of St. Ludmilla, three years after her death, to be translated into, the
church of St. George, which had been built by his father in that city. The
severity with which the saint checked oppressions, and certain other disorders
in the nobility, made some throw themselves into the faction of his unnatural
mother, who concerted measures with her other son, Boleslas, to take him off at
any rate. St. Wenceslas had made a vow of virginity; but restless ambition is
impatient of delays. A son being born to Boleslas, that prince and his mother
invited the good duke to favour them with his company at the rejoicings on that
occasion. St. Wenceslas went without the least suspicion of treachery and was
received with all imaginable marks of kindness and civility. This they did the
better to cover their hellish design. The entertainment was splendid: but
nothing could make the saint neglect his usual devotions. At midnight he went
to offer his customary prayers in the church. Boleslas, at the instigation of
Drahomira, followed him thither, and when his attendants had wounded him, he
despatched him with his own hand, running him through the body with a lance.
The martyrdom of the holy duke happened on the 28th of September, in 938. 1 The
emperor Otho marched with an army into Bohemia, to revenge his death; the war
continued several years; and, when he had vanquished the Bohemians, he
contented himself with the submission of Boleslas, who engaged to recal the
banished priests, to restore the Christian religion, and to pay him an annual tribute.
Drahomira, perished miserably soon after the perpetration of her horrible
crime. Boleslas, terrified at the reputation of many miracles wrought at the
martyr’s tomb, caused his body to be translated to the church of St. Vitus, at
Prague, three years after his death. His son and successor, Boleslas II.
surnamed the Pious, was a faithful imitator of his uncle St. Wenceslas, and
became one of the greatest princes of his time. A church was erected in honour
of St. Wenceslas, in Denmark, in 951, and his name was in great veneration over
all the North.
The safety and happiness
of government, and of all society among men, is founded upon religion. Without
it princes usually become tyrants, and people lawless. He who, with Hobbes, so
far degrades human reason, as to deny any other difference between virtue and
vice, than in the apprehension of men; or who, with the author of the
Characteristics, reduces virtue to an ideal beauty, and an empty name, is, of
all others, the most dangerous enemy to mankind, capable of every mischief: his
heart being open to treachery, and every crime. The general laws of nations and
those of particular states are too weak restraints upon those who, in spite of
nature itself, laugh the law of God out of doors. Unless religion bind a man in
his conscience, he will become so far the slave of his passions, as to be
ready, with this unnatural mother and brother, to commit every advantageous
villany to which he is prompted, whenever he can do it with secrecy or
impunity. It is safer to live among lions and tigers than among such men. It is
not consistent with the goodness and justice of God to have created men without
an interior law, and a law enforced by the strongest motives, and the highest
authority. Nor can his goodness and justice suffer obedience to his law to go
unrewarded, or disobedience and contempt to remain unpunished. This
consideration alone, leads us to the confession of that just providence which
reserves in the life to come the recompense of virtue, and chastisement of vice,
which faith reveals to us; this is the sacred band of justice and civil society
in the present life. Jeroboam, Numa, Mahomet, and Machiavel himself, thought a
persuasion of a false religion necessary for government, where they despaired
of accommodating a true one to their wicked purposes, being sensible, that
without strong inward ties, proclamations will be hung upon walls and posts
only to be despised, and the most sacred laws lose their force. A false
religion is not only a grievous crime, but also too feeble a tie for men; it is
exposed to uncertainties, suspicion, and the detection, of its imposture, and
is in itself always infinitely defective and pernicious. True religion insures
to him who sincerely professes it, comfort, support, and patience amidst the
sharpest trials, security in death itself, and the most happy and glorious
issue, when God shall manifest himself the protector and rewarder of his
servants. Virtue, here persecuted and oppressed, will shine forth with the
brighter lustre at the last day, as the sun breaking out from under a cloud
displays its beam with greater brightness.
Note 1. St.
Wenceslas was the fifteenth duke from Czecus the Sclavonian, who founded the
Bohemian state about the year 644. St. Wenceslas was acknowledged duke in 921,
and saluted king in 937. He is called the first king of Bohemia, but his
successors were only dukes, till the Emperor Henry IV. in 1086, erected Bohemia
into a kingdom in favour of Uratislas II. [back]
Rev. Alban
Butler (1711–73). Volume IX: September. The Lives of the
Saints. 1866.
SOURCE : http://www.bartleby.com/210/9/281.html
Angelo Caroselli (1585–1652), Venceslao I, duca di Boemia, 1627 - 1630, 315 x 184, Kunsthistorisches Museum
San Venceslao Martire
- Memoria Facoltativa
Stochow, Praga,
Repubblica Ceca, ca. 907 - Stará Boleslav, Repubblica Ceca, 929/935
Vissuto nel X secolo,
principe di Boemia, fu educato cristiana mente dalla nonna Santa Ludmilla.
Giovanissimo, successe al padre dopo un periodo di emergenza della madre che
gli preferiva il secondogenito Boleslao. Ella fomentò a tal punto la rivalità
fra i due fratelli che Boleslao assalì Venceslao mentre si recava da solo, come
era solito fare, in chiesa per il Mattutino. Difesosi dalla spada di Boleslao,
a cui il risparmio alla vita, venne ucciso dai suoi seguaci. Venceslao visse
nel periodo in cui, in Boemia, il Cristianesimo era agli albori e l'attività
apostolica e missionaria erano molto difficili e pericolose. Egli,
profondamente religioso, contribuì alla diffusione del messaggio evangelico,
promuovendo religiosamente e culturalmente il proprio popolo e, per la sua
bontà e per la sua rettitudine, divenne il santo più popolare della Boemia.
Patronato: Patrono della
Boemia
Etimologia: Venceslao =
gloria della corona (della reggia), dal polacco
Emblema: Corona, Palma
Martirologio Romano: San
Venceslao, martire: duca di Boemia, fu educato alla sapienza umana e divina
dalla zia paterna Ludmilla e, pur severo con sé stesso, fu però uomo di pace
nell’amministrare il regno e misericordioso verso i poveri e riscattò in massa
gli schiavi pagani in vendita a Praga, perché fossero battezzati; dopo avere
affrontato molte difficoltà nel governare i suoi sudditi e nell’educarli alla
fede, tradito da suo fratello Boleslao, fu ucciso in chiesa a Stará Boleslav in
Boemia da alcuni sicari.
C’è un luogo d’Europa che appartiene alla memoria di tutto il mondo, insieme a una data: piazza San Venceslao di Praga, 1968. Essa ricorda la “primavera”, col grido del popolo ceco per la libertà, e poi il lutto per l’invasione comunista del Paese, nell’estate dell’oppressione. Le gioie e i dolori di tutti si esprimevano qui, intorno alla statua di san Venceslao, eretta alla fine dell’Ottocento.
Venceslao (Václav in lingua ceca) è figlio di Vratislav duca di Boemia: perde il padre da ragazzo e gli succede nel governo, sia pure con la reggenza di sua madre Drahomira. E’ cristiano, educato dalla nonna paterna Ludmilla, che la Chiesa venera come santa, uccisa a causa della sua fede per ordine della nuora Drahomira, madre di Venceslao. Questi, rispetto ai prìncipi del tempo, è tra i più colti: ha studiato anche il latino.
Una volta assunto il potere effettivo, Venceslao si adopera per la cristianizzazione del Paese, chiamandovi missionari tedeschi, perché questo fa parte della sua linea generale di governo: avvicinare la Boemia all’Europa occidentale e alla sua cultura (anche se non mancano conflitti con regnanti germanici).
La tradizione fa di lui un modello del coraggio generoso: durante la lotta contro un duca boemo, Venceslao gli propone di risolvere la controversia con un duello tra loro due, in modo da non sacrificare tante vite di soldati; e il nemico si riconcilia con lui. La sua giovane età e il suo stile ne fanno un modello per molti suoi sudditi, ma proprio la vasta popolarità mette contro di lui – per motivi religiosi e di potere – una parte della nobiltà, che obbedisce (o che si è imposta) al suo fratello minore Boleslao.
Di qui, una congiura per ucciderlo, dando tutto il ducato boemo al fratello. Questi, non osando aggredire Venceslao in Praga, lo invita nel suo castello di Stará Boleslav. Si pensa di ucciderlo durante il pranzo, ma certe parole di Venceslao fanno temere che abbia scoperto il complotto. Allora lo si aspetta quando va in chiesa (da solo, come sempre) per recitarvi la preghiera delle Ore. E qui viene assassinato. Dice una leggenda che Boleslao tentò per primo di colpirlo, ma Venceslao reagì buttandolo a terra e facendogli cadere la spada; poi generosamente la raccolse e la volle restituire al fratello in segno di perdono.
Questo fu il suo ultimo gesto di grandezza, troncato dai sicari di Boleslao che lo colpirono a morte tutti insieme. Secondo un’altra leggenda, nessuno riuscì a lavare il suo sangue, sparso sul pavimento in legno. Il corpo fu poi portato a Praga e sepolto nella chiesa di San Vito. Già nel secolo X Venceslao fu oggetto di culto, e nel secolo successivo diventò il simbolo dello Stato boemo. Più tardi la Chiesa scriverà il suo nome nel Martirologio Romano, venerandolo come martire per la fede.
La Chiesa lo venera come santo dal 1729.
Autore: Domenico Agasso
SOURCE : http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/29350
.JPG)
Statue
of St Ludmila with young St Venceslas on Charles Bridge in Prague
Statue
de Ste Ludmila avec St Venceslas enfant sur le pont Charles a Prague
Sousoší
Svaté Ludmily s malým Svatým Václavem na Karlově mostě
OMELIA DEL SANTO PADRE
Spianata sulla Via di Melnik a Stará Boleslavo
Lunedì, 28 settembre 2009
Signori Cardinali,
Venerati Fratelli nell’Episcopato e nel Sacerdozio,
cari fratelli e sorelle,
cari giovani,
con grande gioia vi
incontro questa mattina, mentre si va concludendo il mio viaggio
apostolico nell’amata Repubblica Ceca. A tutti rivolgo il mio cordiale
saluto, in modo particolare al Cardinale Arcivescovo, al quale sono grato per
le parole che mi ha indirizzato a nome vostro, all’inizio della celebrazione
eucaristica. Il mio saluto si estende agli altri Cardinali, ai Vescovi, ai
sacerdoti e alle persone consacrate, ai rappresentanti dei movimenti e delle
associazioni laicali e specialmente ai giovani. Saluto con deferenza il Signor
Presidente della Repubblica, al quale presento un cordiale augurio in occasione
della sua festa onomastica; augurio che mi piace indirizzare a coloro che
portano il nome di Venceslao, e all’intero popolo ceco nel giorno della sua
festa nazionale.
Questa mattina ci
riunisce attorno all’altare il ricordo glorioso del martire san Venceslao, del
quale ho potuto venerare la reliquia, prima della Santa Messa, nella Basilica a
lui dedicata. Egli ha versato il sangue sulla vostra Terra e la sua aquila da
voi scelta come stemma dell’odierna visita – lo ha ricordato poco fa il vostro
Cardinale Arcivescovo - costituisce l’emblema storico della nobile Nazione
ceca. Questo grande Santo, che voi amate chiamare “eterno” Principe dei Cechi,
ci invita a seguire sempre e fedelmente Cristo, ci invita ad essere santi. Egli
stesso è modello di santità per tutti, specialmente per quanti guidano le sorti
delle comunità e dei popoli. Ma ci chiediamo: ai nostri giorni la santità è
ancora attuale? O non è piuttosto un tema poco attraente ed importante? Non si
ricercano oggi più il successo e la gloria degli uomini? Quanto dura, però, e
quanto vale il successo terreno?
Il secolo passato – e
questa vostra Terra ne è stata testimone - ha visto cadere non pochi potenti,
che parevano giunti ad altezze quasi irraggiungibili. All’improvviso si sono
ritrovati privi del loro potere. Chi ha negato e continua a negare Dio e, di
conseguenza, non rispetta l’uomo, sembra avere vita facile e conseguire un
successo materiale. Ma basta scrostare la superficie per costatare che, in
queste persone, c’è tristezza e insoddisfazione. Solo chi conserva nel cuore il
santo “timore di Dio” ha fiducia anche nell’uomo e spende la sua esistenza per
costruire un mondo più giusto e fraterno. C’è oggi bisogno di persone che siano
“credenti” e “credibili”, pronte a diffondere in ogni ambito della società quei
principi e ideali cristiani ai quali si ispira la loro azione. Questa è la
santità, vocazione universale di tutti i battezzati, che spinge a compiere il
proprio dovere con fedeltà e coraggio, guardando non al proprio interesse
egoistico, bensì al bene comune, e ricercando in ogni momento la volontà
divina.
Nella pagina evangelica
abbiamo ascoltato, al riguardo, parole assai chiare: “Quale vantaggio – afferma
Gesù - avrà un uomo se guadagnerà il mondo intero, ma perderà la propria vita?”
(Mt 16,26). Ci stimola così a considerare che il valore autentico
dell’esistenza umana non è commisurato solo su beni terreni e interessi
passeggeri, perché non sono le realtà materiali ad appagare la sete profonda di
senso e di felicità che c’è nel cuore di ogni persona. Per questo Gesù non
esita a proporre ai suoi discepoli la via “stretta” della santità: “Chi perderà
la propria vita per causa mia, la troverà” (v. 25). E con decisione ci ripete
questa mattina: “Se qualcuno vuole venire dietro a me, rinneghi se stesso, prenda
la sua croce e mi segua” (v. 24). Certamente è un linguaggio duro, difficile da
accettare e mettere in pratica, ma la testimonianza dei Santi e delle Sante
assicura che è possibile a tutti, se ci si fida e ci si affida a Cristo. Il
loro esempio incoraggia chi si dice cristiano ad essere credibile, cioè
coerente con i principi e la fede che professa. Non basta infatti apparire
buoni ed onesti; occorre esserlo realmente. E buono ed onesto è colui che non
copre con il suo io la luce di Dio, non mette davanti se stesso, ma lascia
trasparire Dio.
Questa è la lezione di
vita di san Venceslao, che ebbe il coraggio di anteporre il regno dei cieli al
fascino del potere terreno. Il suo sguardo non si staccò mai da Gesù Cristo, il
quale patì per noi, lasciandoci un esempio, perché ne seguiamo le orme, come
scrive san Pietro nella seconda lettura poc’anzi proclamata. Quale docile
discepolo del Signore, il giovane sovrano Venceslao si mantenne fedele agli
insegnamenti evangelici che gli aveva impartito la santa nonna, la martire
Ludmilla. Seguendoli, ancor prima di impegnarsi nel costruire una convivenza
pacifica all’interno della Patria e con i Paesi confinanti, si adoperò per
propagare la fede cristiana, chiamando sacerdoti e costruendo chiese. Nella
prima “narrazione” paleoslava si legge che “soccorreva i ministri di Dio e
abbellì anche molte chiese” e che “beneficava i poveri, vestiva gli ignudi,
dava da mangiare agli affamati, accoglieva i pellegrini, proprio come vuole il
Vangelo. Non tollerava che si facesse ingiustizia alle vedove, amava tutti gli
uomini, poveri o ricchi che fossero”. Imparò dal Signore ad essere
“misericordioso e pietoso” (Salmo respon.) ed animato da spirito evangelico
giunse a perdonare persino il fratello, che aveva attentato alla sua vita. Giustamente,
pertanto, lo invocate come “Erede” della vostra Nazione, e, in un canto a voi
ben noto, gli domandate di non permettere che essa perisca.
Venceslao è morto martire
per Cristo. E’ interessante notare che il fratello Boleslao riuscì,
uccidendolo, ad impadronirsi del trono di Praga, ma la corona che in seguito si
imponevano sulla testa i suoi successori non portava il suo nome. Porta invece
il nome di Venceslao, a testimonianza che “il trono del re che giudica i poveri
nella verità resterà saldo in eterno” (cfr l’odierno Ufficio delle letture).
Questo fatto viene giudicato come un meraviglioso intervento di Dio, che non
abbandona i suoi fedeli: “l’innocente vinto vinse il crudele vincitore
similmente a Cristo sulla croce” (cfr La leggenda di san Venceslao), ed il
sangue del martire non ha chiamato odio e vendetta, bensì perdono e pace.
Cari fratelli e sorelle,
ringraziamo insieme, in questa Eucaristia, il Signore per aver donato alla
vostra Patria e alla Chiesa questo Santo sovrano. Preghiamo al tempo stesso
perché, come lui, anche noi camminiamo con passo spedito verso la santità. E’
certamente difficile, poiché la fede è sempre esposta a molteplici sfide, ma
quando ci si lascia attrarre da Dio che è Verità, il cammino si fa deciso,
perché si sperimenta la forza del suo amore. Ci ottenga questa grazia
l’intercessione di san Venceslao e degli altri Santi protettori delle Terre
Ceche. Ci protegga e ci assista sempre Maria, Regina della pace e Madre
dell’Amore. Amen!
© Copyright 2009 -
Libreria Editrice Vaticana
Copyright © Dicastero per
la Comunicazione - Libreria Editrice Vaticana
.jpg)
Kaple
svatého Václava v Tasově z roku 1928
Voir aussi : http://orthodoxievco.net/ecrits/vies/synaxair/septembr/wenceslas.pdf
http://www.radio.cz/fr/rubrique/celebres/saint-venceslas-duc-de-boheme
http://www.traditioninaction.org/SOD/j250sd_Wenceslas_09_28.html
