The revenge of Stanislaus Kostka

When Fr. David Collins, S.J. was a novice being the youngest of the novitiate class of 87 he had the duty according to Jesuit custom to preach at the community Mass on the feast of Stanislaus Kostka.  Not having much devotion for the Saint, and being a no-nonsense type who had little tolerance for the flowery hagiography he found in the Wernersville novitiate library he was at a quandary as to what to say.  His solution was to talk about how God works in the saints.  His sermon was something like this:

Stanislaus Kostka was an insipid 16th century boy saint. I have little devotion for such saints. Having delicate health and being overly sensitive to vulgar language are not traits that recommend themselves to a 20^th century Catholic. What I find interesting is how God worked in this young man and converted him into a saint. The consolation is that if God could convert Stanislaus Kostka into a saint he can convert us into saints too.

Young novice Collins sold St. Stanislaus short. While Stanislaus was physically weak and was bullied by his older brother Paul because of his quietness and piety he was spiritually strong with a clear mind and a will of iron. Although he had fragile health he was tough enough to practice bodily mortifications and fasts. When he decided to apply for entrance in the Society of Jesus he walked 350 miles from Vienna to Augsburg and later Dilligen. There he was admitted by St. Peter Canisius the provincial of Upper Germany who sent him, again by foot, to Rome and the General of the Society St. Francis Borgia. His noviceship did not last 9 months when he died with much recollection and prayer.

While Stanislaus Kostka is much more than an insipid 16^th century boy saint, the novice David Collins did identify an important truth: it is God who makes Saints with his grace. In the Collect of his feast we pray in Spanish: “…concédenos aprovechar el tiempo diligentemente en la práctica del bien, para que podamos correr por el camino de tus mandatos…”   In English: “Renew us in spirit so that we may be eager and joyful as we walk in the way of your commandments.  Help us to fill our days with good works and so redeem the shortness of this life”. Stanislaus Kostka knew how to take advantage of his time so as to let God sanctify him with his grace.  Today we pray for the same grace.

Oh, by the way, seems that Stanislaus Kostka has had his revenge. David Collins is now Fr. Collins professor of history at Georgetown University. His doctoral dissertation was on the hagiography of 16^th century saints. It seems that God has a sense of humor and not only makes saints but also historians.