St. Casimir
Feastday: March 4
Patron of Poland and Lithuania
b: 1461 d: 1484
Casimir grew up in a world where his life was not his own. As a prince of Poland, the second son of King Casimir IV and Elizabeth of Austria, his life was scheduled to cement his father's authority and increase Poland's power.
Casimir realized from an early age that his life belonged to someone else, but to a much higher King than his father. Despite pressure, humiliation, and rejection, he stood by that loyalty through his whole life.
Born the third of thirteen children in 1461, Casimir was committed to God from childhood. Some of that commitment was the result of a tutor, John Dlugosz, whose holiness encouraged Casimir on his own journey.
It may be hard for us to imagine royal luxury as a pressure. But for Casimir, the riches around him were temptations to forget his true loyalties. Rebelling against the rich, fashionable clothes he was expected to enjoy, he wore the plainest of clothes.
Rejecting even ordinary comforts, he slept little, spending his nights in prayer. And when he did sleep, he lay on the floor not on a royal bed. Even though he was a prince, many of those around him must have laughed and joked at his choices. Yet, in the face of any pressure, Casimir was always friendly and calm.
Though his father must have wondered about him, he must have seen and admired Casimir's strength. He showed that he misunderstood this strength when he sent Casimir as head of an army to take over the throne of Hungary at the request of some nobles there. Casimir felt the whole expedition was wrong but was convinced to go out of obedience to his father. He could not help but feel at every step that it was disobedient to his other Father. So when soldiers started deserting, he was only too glad to listen to the advice of his officers and turn back home. His feelings were confirmed when he discovered that Pope Sixtus IV had opposed the move.
His father, however, was furious at being deterred from his plans and banished Casimir to a castle in Dobzki, hoping that imprisonment would change Casimir's mind. Casimir's commitment to what he believed was right only grew stronger in his exile and he refused to cooperate with his father's plans any more despite the pressure to give in. He even rejected a marriage alliance his father tried to form. He participated in his true King's plans wholeheartedly by praying, studying, and helping the poor.
He died at the age of 23 in 1484 from lung disease. 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 though he didn't write it.
Casimir is patron saint of Poland and Lithuania.
St. Lucius I
Feastday: March 4
Lucius I, a Roman, was elected Pope to succeed Pope St. Cornelius on June 25, 253, and ruled only eighteen months. He was exiled briefly during the persecution of Emperor Gallus, but was allowed to return to Rome. A letter of St. Cyprian praises him for condemning the Novatians for their refusal of the sacraments to those who had fallen but were penitent. He did not suffer martyrdom, as a erroneously stated in the Liber Pontificalis, but died probably on March 4 in Rome and was buried in St. Callistus' catacomb. The remains after an early translation were transferred to the church of St. Cecilia, where they now lie, by order of Clement VIII. His feast day is March 4th.
St. Adrian
Feastday: March 4
875
A bishop and missionary, possibly of royal blood. Adrian was born in Pannonia, in modern Hungary, and was appointed bishop of the local diocese. He resigned to undertake a missionary project. After laboring among the Scots, he retired to a monastery in the area of Firth of Forth. He and his fellow religious were murdered by Danish Viking invaders. In some records, St. Adrian is identified with St. Odhern of Ireland, and in other accounts he is listed as a missionary to Ireland.
Blessed Humbert
Feastday: March 4
Humbert was the son of Count Amadeus III of Savoy and Matilda of Vienna. He was born at Avigliana, educated by Bishop Amadeus of Lausanne, and became Count of Savoy when quite young on the death of his father. Humbert ruled wisely and engaged in several wars to defend his principality. Late in life, he returned to the Cistercian Abbey of Hautecombe, where he probably died, though legend says that he emerged to lead his troops against invading German troops and died at Chambery. His cult was approved in 1831.
St. Appian
Feastday: March 4
800
A Benedictine hermit and missionary. Appian was born in Liguria, in Italy. He entered the Benedictine monastery of St. Peter of Ciel d'Oro in Pavia, where he adopted the life of a hermit. Appian lived as a recluse on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, but his mere presence served to convert many it' in the area.
St. Basil and Companions
Feastday: March 4
4th century
Martyred bishop, with Agathodorus, Elpidius, Ephraem, lftherius, Eugene, Arcadius, Capito, and Nestor. These prelates served as bishops. Nestor and Arcadius were rnartyred on Cyprus. The others died in the Crimean area and elsewhere in southern Russia.
St. Basinus
Feastday: March 4
705
Benedictine bishop of Trier, Germany. He was abbot of St. Maximin Abbey in Trier until succeeding St. Numerian as bishop. Basinus was a patron of the English missionaries of the time, including St. Willibrord. Basinus retired to his former abbey, where he died.
St. Felix of Rhuys
Feastday: March 4
1038
Benedictine abbot and hermit. Born in Brittany, France, he was a recluse on Quessant Island and then entered the Benedictines at Flery, Saint Benoit sur Loire. He restored Rhuys Abbey.
St. Owen
Feastday: March 4
680
Benedictine monk. Once a steward in the household of St. Etheldreda, he entered a Benedictine monastery at Lastingham, England, under St. Chad. He later migrated to Lichfield, following St. Chad.
