St Stanislaus Kostka Remains a Powerful Patron for Youth

St Stanislaus was a Jesuit Novice who died at 17. He is a Secondary Patron of Poland, where he is celebrated on 18 September, elsewhere today.

From Aleteia

By Philip Kosloski

Pope John Paul II prayed at this saint's tomb almost every day when he was a young student in Rome, asking him for guidance and help.

There are many patron saints of young people in the Catholic Church, including a Polish Jesuit who died at the age of 17.

At the September 17, 2025, general audience, Pope Leo mentioned the saint in his greetings to Polish-speaking pilgrims.

May this 18-year-old, patron of your homeland and of young people, be an example and inspiration for new generations of believers in seeking God's will and courageously fulfilling their vocation. I entrust Poland and peace in the world to his intercession. I bless you from my heart.

In Poland, his feast day is September 18, while in other parts of the world, he is celebrated November 13.

St. Stanislaus Kostka grew up in Poland during the 16th century and was attracted to the faith at an early age. His parents sent him to Vienna for education, and he was known there for his joyful disposition and angelic piety.

He also encountered the Jesuit Order in Vienna and wanted to join the Jesuits as soon as he was able. Yet, Stanislaus was afraid of what his family would do if he joined the Jesuits in Vienna and so he made a plan to travel to Rome and enter there.

While he was able to enter the Jesuits in Rome, Stanislaus fell ill and died just 10 months later, on August 15, 1568. His sanctity was so highly regarded that it didn't take long for him to be beatified. Pope Paul V beatified Stanislaus on October 8, 1605. Pope Benedict XIII later canonized him in 1726.

Inspiration to all young people

Ever since his death, St. Stanislaus has been inspiration to young people in their pursuit of holiness. Pope John Paul II in particular noted his influence in his own life while visiting his tomb in 1988:

I, personally, have been walking for many years of my life, since my childhood years, not just my youth, I walked together with this patron saint of youth especially in Poland. And I also walked here in Rome, being close, as a student of the Belgian College. Almost every day I came to pray to St. Stanislaus Kostka, to pray to him and to seek spiritual enlightenment and help from him. And many young students of different nationalities, from different colleges, had the same habit. 

Furthermore, he noted how, "The journey of his short life, begun in Rostkowo in Mazowsze, through Vienna and then to Rome, can be compared to a great cross-country race towards the goal of every Christian’s life, which is holiness."

Be brave! You too can race

Pope Francis commented on this aspect of his life in a message on the 450th anniversary of his death in 2018:

I encourage you to remember, not only during this march, but on all the paths of your daily life, that you too are capable of performing this “race.” You too are driven by the love of Christ and strengthened by his grace. Be brave! The world needs your freedom of spirit, your confident gaze on the future, your thirst for truth, goodness and beauty.

Saint Stanislaus teaches you that freedom which is not a blind race, but rather the ability to discern the goal and to follow the best ways of behavior and life. He teaches you always to seek first of all friendship with Jesus; to read and meditate on His word and welcome in His Eucharist His merciful and powerful presence, to resist the conditioning of the worldly mentality. 

St. Stanislaus remains a great example for all young people, inspiring them to consider "racing" towards holiness as early as they can, not being afraid of what the culture may think about them.