St. Casimir Church at 10075 M-65 North, P.O. Box 217, Posen, MI 49776 US - St. Casimir of Poland

However, from an early age, Casimir knew that his life belonged, not to his father or to Poland, but to God. Casimir’s tutor was a holy man, and it was from him that Casimir developed his commitment to God. God was the center of Casimir’s life from an early age. Despite pressure, humiliation, and rejection, he stood by that loyalty throughout his whole life.

It may be hard for us to imagine royal luxury as a burden. But for Casimir, the riches around him were temptations to forget his true loyalty or dedication to God. Rebelling against the rich, fashionable clothes he was expected to enjoy, he wore plain, simple clothes like the ordinary people. Rejecting even ordinary comforts, he slept little, spending his nights in prayer. And when he did sleep, he slept on the floor, rather than on a royal bed. Many of those around him laughed at him, but Casimir refused to change his ways.

As a young man, Casimir’s father, the king, sent Casimir to lead an army to take over the throne of Hungary--a neighboring country-- at the request of some nobles there. Casimir felt the whole expedition was wrong, but he was convinced to go out of obedience to his father. When soldiers in his army began to desert, Casimir was only too glad to listen to the advice of his officers and turn back home to Poland.

Unfortunately for Casimir, a very different response awaited him upon his return to Poland. Casimir’s father was furious that his plans to conquer Hungary had failed; he banished Casimir to a castle in another part of Poland, hoping that imprisonment would change Casimir’s mind. However, Casimir’s commitment to what he believed was right only grew stronger in his exile. He refused to cooperate with any more of his father’s plans despite continuing pressure to give in to what his father wanted him to do. Casimir also rejected a marriage alliance his father tried to set up for him. Instead, he devoted his time to God, his true King, praying, studying, and helping the poor.

Casimir died at the age of 26 on March 4, 1484, from a lung disease while visiting in the neighboring country of Lithuania. He was buried in Lithuania, and named a saint in 1604. He was buried with his favorite song, a Latin hymn to Mary called “Omni die dic Mariae” which we know as “Daily, Daily Sing to Mary.” Because of his love for the song, it is known as the Hymn of St. Casimir although he didn’t write it.

St. Casimir’s feast day is March 04. St. Casimir is patron saint of Poland and Lithuania. St. Casimir has a special place in the hearts of all Poles. St. Casimir, as the patron saint of our parish, is one of our special guides on our journey here on earth.

St. Casimir, by the example of his life, teaches us that:

* we should always see ourselves as God’s servants first; that even when others pressure us to do something that we don’t want to do, or something that is wrong, we should always choose what God wants; 

* we should think of others, especially those who are poor or in need in any way, and do what we can to help them; 

* if we choose to follow the way of Jesus with our whole heart, we may experience opposition and ridicule from others, including from family members and friends; 

* if we are true to our Catholic beliefs and moral convictions, we will have a place in God’s