USA > Kansas > Rawlins County > Beardsley > Souvenir commemorating the dedication of St. John's Church, Beardsley, Kansas, May 31st, 1917 > Part 2
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FIRST NORTH WINDOW: ST. STANISLAUS KOSTKA.
St. Stanislaus is the son of the Polish family Kostka, to which he was born on the home castle Rostkow in Moravia in the year 1550. He was a very quiet child and of an earnest di- sposition; from his early years on he showed great liking for the prayers and devotions which his parents were want to ob- serve.
Until his 14th year the boy was educated at home, where a private teacher was kept for all children. At the age of 14 Stanislaus, together with a younger brother Paul, was sent to Vienna, where they were received into an educational institu- tion conducted by the Jesuits. Stanislaus was a model student, being diligent in his studies, pure and modest in his speech and manners, and obedient to his superiors. For his piety and se- clusion from worldly amusements he had to suffer much abuse from his brother, who although being younger, was very worldly-minded and squandered much money for dangerous pleasures.
In 1566 the pious 'boy became sick, but beyond the expecta- tion of his physician he recovered his health again. This sick- ness decided his state of life; ever since this time he resolved to leave the world and consecrate himself completely to God. However, he could not hope that his father, who had worldly intentions with him, would consent to his wish; hence the 17 years old boy left Vienna and walked through entire Germany to Rome and there requested the superior of the Jesuit order for admission, which was granted to him. From Rome he wrote to his father and asked him not to hinder him from following the vocation, to which he considered himself called by God.
In the monastery at Rome it was soon apparent by his saintly life, that his intention was most earnest; his angel-like life was a source of edification for all, especially for those, who like Stanislaus prepared themselves for holy priesthood. Alas, he did not live to see the joyful day of ordination. On the 15th of August 1568, only one year after his coming to Rome, he quietly passed away to the deep sorrow of all in the monastery.
St. Stanislaus, for his pure life and the early age at which he died, has been chosen by the Church as a patron and model for the young, that they imitate him, and as he preserve their life pure and blameless.
SECOND NORTH WINDOW: ST. CECILIA.
St. Cecilia was a victim of the early Roman persecutions
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of the Christians. As far as can be ascertained, she lived in the beginning of the third century; for she was martyred under the emperor Alexander Severus, who reigned from 222-235. Cecilia was of noble birth, her family having been very re- nowned in Roman history for several centuries. The parents had promised their daughter in marriage to a noble pagan youth, Valerianus ; but she had already made to God the vow of continued virginity and she induced also her spouse to re- spect her vow persuading him even to become a Christian him- self.
This noble family life was soon to meet a sad end. At this time a fierce persecution of the Christians broke out again in Rome, and St. Cecilia and her spouse were to become victims. Great numbers of Christians were publicly executed for their faith on the street called Via Appia; and in order to create greater fear among them, and to induce them sooner to aban- don their faith, it was forbidden to burry their bodies. Valeri- anus, however, and his brother, likewise a converted Christian, came at night and carried the dead bodies away into a subter- ranean cemetery of the Christians; they were detected, impri- soned and beheaded. Cecilia burried their bodies, soon she was herself taken prisoner, and threatened with death, if she would not renounce her faith ; but no threats and no promises could change her conviction. Since she belonged to the Roman nobility, her public execution would have caused painful sur- prise in the city, accordingly an executioner was sent to her home to behead her. He let his sword fall three times without separating her head from the body, then he fled away horror- stricken, leaving Cecilia bathed in her own blood. She lived three days yet; she provided, that after her death her house should be dedicated as a church.
When reading such accounts, how the early Christians were persecuted and put to death for no other reason but be- cause they professed the faith of Christ, one is almost inclined to doubt the truthfulness ; however, when examining early hi- story, we learn plainly, that the ruthless execution of St. Ce- cilia is just one example showing, how millions of noble-min- ded people had to suffer a violent death.
The life and death of this youthful saint are a most glo- rious example of Christian heroism. She like so many other martyrs knew the real value of life and the goods of this world, she realized, how short and fleeting they are, and she died for her conviction that our real life is beyond this world and well worthy the hatred and sufferings, to which we may be exposed in this world.
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THIRD NORTH WINDOW: ST. ELIZABETH.
She was the daughter of the pious king Andrew II. of Hungary and his wife Gertrude. 1207 is the year of her birth. According to the custom of the time, she was bethrothed while yet a child to Louis, the son of Herman, landgrave of Thurin- gia. When four years old, Elizabeth was sent to Herman's court, where she was brought up with her future husband.
In 1221 she was united in marriage to Louis amid the re- joicing of the people who honored and loved her for her great piety and generosity towards the poor. As landlady of Thurin- gia she remained a mirror of virtue for the whole court and an angel of mercy for the poor. She arose at night to pray and was often found on the floor in the morning overcome by sleep. Every morning she assisted at Holy Mass; on Good Friday she visited the church in the dress of a poor woman; also at other times of penance as observed in the Church, she took part in the divine services among the poorest class of people.
Elizabeth was also a model of charity towards the poor ; her husband, who was likewise a devout Catholic, gave her full liberty to use what she pleased. Frequently she carried herself food and other articles to the cottages of the poor, consoled them and took care of old and sick people. In 1225 the country was visited by a severe famine, so that the people suffered great want; during this famine Elizabeth's charity was almost unbounded ; daily 900 people were fed at the court and besides this lavish alms was carried to the homes of poor families.
In 1227 her husband died, leaving Elizabeth a widow. Her ambitious brother-in-law Henry considered the death of his brother a welcome occasion, to usurp without much opposi- tion the title of landgrave. Elizabeth, together with her three children, was driven from her castle, and she spent weeks of the utmost misery and poverty; finally, through the endea- vors of some influential relatives, at least appropriate shelter was provided for her. The landgrave had died in Italy and it lasted several months before his remains arrived at his home; then, however, the love and respect which he had won for him- self during his life was aroused in the hearts of all and accord- ingly also his wife and children were restored to their rights. But on Good Friday 1228 Elizabeth formally renounced her rights as landlady, built a hospital and devoted the rest of her life entirely to the care of the sick. She died in 1237 at the ear- ly age of 24. As is apparent from the accounts of her life, Eli- zabeth remains forever a shining model of piety and Christian charity towards the poor.
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FOURTH NORTH WINDOW: OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR.
"Come ye all unto Me, who labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you." Of these words of Holy Scripture we are reminded when looking at this window representing our divine Savior as He stretches out His hands and invites all, as it were, to come unto Him.
Jesus came personally into this world and invited man- kind to hear and obey His divine teaching. In His memorable sermon on the Mount He clearly pointed out to His listeners as well as to all mankind the duties which man has towards his creator, his neighbor and himself. For three years Jesus went about in Palestine teaching and confirming His word by most astounding miracles. And before His visible departure from the world He charged His Apostles that they and their succes- sors in the holy priesthood teach all nations in His name and authority whatsoever He had commanded them. After the Ascension of Christ the Apostles scathered over the entire world known at the time and announced to all the glad tidings that the long expected Messiah had come, and invited all most anxiously to adopt His doctrine. Even as the Apostles, so num- berless successors in their holy office down to our own time have been continuing to announce the doctrines of Jesus. And the divine Saviour is continuing during all these ages to invite the world by means of the ministers of His Church to come un- to Him and listen to His words of eternal salvation.
Besides such positive invitations there are many other means, through which God speaks to the hearts of men. Where is the man in our modern times, that has not by reading, obser- vation or conversation been moved to examine the teaching of Jesus ? Let everyone consider well such inward voices of his soul. No sophistry has been able to obliterate the figure and teaching of Jesus Christ from history; every new year is a public acknowledgement of the fact of His birth and His histo- rical personality, and of His teaching, and every new year is also an earnest invitation to examine these facts and accept their logical consequences.
Happy those who heed such invitations of Christ during their lifetime, they will one day also hear that joyful invita- tion : "Come ye blessed of my Father, possess ye the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."
FIFTH AND SIXTH NORTH WINDOWS: STS. CYRIL AND METHOD.
The fifth north window shows St. Cyrill and the sixth St.
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Method. These two saints were brothers and also their life work was most intimately joined together. They were Greek, their home being Saloniki, where St. Paul introduced the faith of Christ. St. Cyrill was born in 827; his brother Method was several years older. Their father was a high official in Saloni- ki, hence also the two sons were educated most carefully to be- come able for similar offices.
Cyrill was 14 years old when he lost his father; the orphan was then received into the imperial court, where he was educa- ted together with the emperor's son Michael; his brother Me thod was already preparing himself for a high political office and later on he really became governor of a Greek province. But this position, even though honorable as it was, did not appeal to his liking, and to the surprise of the whole country he bade his friends farewell one day and entered a monastery. Cyrill, after having finished his educational course, was also offered a high position as statesman, but he did not even ac- cept it, and although his many friends tried to win him for a worldly career, he left the court and joined his brother in the monastery.
Both became priests and worked very successfully among the Greeks as missionaries. However, Divine Providence had marked out a different field of labor for them. They were to become the heralds of holy faith among the Moravians. This people had already heard of the Christian religion through missionaries who taught among the neighboring tribes, but they had not as yet had a priest, whom they could understand. In the year 863 the Moravian prince Rostislav requested the Greek emperor Michael, if possible, to provide his people with a priest, who could speak to them and explain the truths of the true God of whom they had already heard but not enough to know Him. Emperor Michael informed St. Ignatius, then pa- triarch of Constantinople of the spiritual need among the Mo- ravians, and the two learned brothers Cyrill and Method were chosen to go to Moravia.
In this new mission-field their work likewise blessed with great success. Prince Rostislav and the whole people was gradually gained for the faith, which the two priests announ- ced. After five years of hard labor in the year 868, pope Ha- drian, who followed the work with great interest, called them to Rome and consecrated them both bishops for Moravia. Alas, St. Cyrill could no longer return, he felt that death was ap- .proaching ; hence he went into a monastery, to quietly prepare himself for the last hour. His brother remained with him dur-
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ing his lingering illness, hoping, that he might recover and accompany him to their mission-field; however, Cyrill's pre- sentiment of death become true, in the same year yet he died, and Method with a sorrowful heart returned alone to Moravia. to resume his work.
In the course of time he visited almost all the neighboring Slavish tribes, everywhere announcing the faith of Christ and everywhere also instructing young men for the priesthood, so that the spiritual needs of the people could fully be attended. Holy faith spread and flourished in Moravia and the adjacent countries, the people listened gladly to St. Method and obeyed his word; he was truly like a father among his children vene- rated and beloved by all. On Palm Sunday 885 he said Holy Mass for the last time; then already he felt that his last hour was at hand; with a feeble voice he admonished the attending faithful.once more to remain true to the teachings of the go- spel; at the end of his fatherly address he gave to them his blessing and bade them farewell forever. After three days, on April 7th, the great Apostle of the Slav died.
Sts. Cyrill and Method are highly honored among the Slavs, who acknowledge gratefully, that they owe their holy faith to these two brothers; down to our own time the pious Slav is acquainted with their life work, which marked such a great and happy change in the history of the Slavish tribes.
FIRST SOUTH WINDOW: ST. WENCESLAUS.
The first south window next to the gallery shows St. Wenceslaus, king of Bohemia, born in 903. His father Vrati- slav wished to make of the boy an exemplary ruler for the country, hence he gave to him a most careful education in holy religion as well as also in secular sciences. The ordinary school course was taught at home, later on Wenceslaus was sent to an institution outside Prague to complete his education. He was soon widely known as a pious youth and a charitable friend towards the poor, to whom he gave sick alms.
In 923 Wenceslaus, who was now 20 years old, was chosen king of Bohemia, his father Vratislav having died some time before. He soon proved his deeply religious conviction and re- mained faithful to it throughout his life; he assisted at holy Mass very frequently, he did not deem it below his dignity to serve the priest at the altar and to prepare the bread and wine used at Mass; several beautiful churches owe their existence to the kings generosity, who provided also for the necessary support of the priests in charge of them. No less did he have at .
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heart the material welfare of his people; it was his continual aim, to better their condition, increase prosperity, preserve peace and good order; for the education of the children he erected schools throughout the country and procured able tea- chers for them. Thus Wenceslaus was truly an apostle for his country, who did immeasurable good for the general uplift of the people ; he was kind towards all, just in settling differen- ces and most solicitous that the public officials throughout the country exercise justice in their dealings. In regard to neigh- boring countries the king was likewise anxious to preserve peace and foster friendly relations.
Alas, this saintly king met a very sad death. He had a bro- ther Boleslav, who for years tried to usurp the throne. Since all his political plans for the purpose failed, his passionate am- bition drove him to bloodshed ; one day he together with seve- ral paid servants waylayed the king and at his approach at- tacked him and killed him. Boleslav was afterwards bitterly sorry for his crime, but he could no longer blot it out and hi- story has forever punished him by giving him the byname "the Cruel".
It was natural, that the violent death of Wenceslaus, who by his exemplary reign had won the love and esteem of the people, was bewailed by all. His reign is remembered and, praised to our own times as a most happy one for all Bohemia ; and the king himself has remained dear to the Bohemians, and is living on in their songs and prayers.
SECOND SOUTH WINDOW : ST. FRANCIS XAVIER.
"Go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and the Holy Ghost." These words of our Saviour are vividly recalled to our mind when reading the life of St. Francis Xavier. Just as the Apostles of our Lord, so also he was unceasingly active in carrying the gospel of Christ to new peoples and new countries. The home of this saint is Navarra in Spain, where he was born in 1506. Highly educa- ted, pure and noble of character, he had also high ideals mar- ked out for himself. At the early age of 22 history knows him as the brilliant teacher of philosophy at the university of Paris.
About the year 1528 he became acquainted with St. Igna- tius of Loyola, a countryman of his and the founder of the Je- suit order. The purpose of this order consists in defending and spreading holy faith. Francis felt himself so strongly attracted by its sublime mission, that he became a member. At first he
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worked very successfully in Italy for the cause of holy reli- gion. In 1542 Pope Paul III. and St. Ignatius appointed him missionary for the oriental countries ; full of apostolic zeal he left for the new field of labor and arrived safely in Goa; from here he traveled through India, preaching to Christians and pagans; he announced the gospel of Christ on the island of Ceylon, planted the cross on the Moluccas and on the island Am'boina, and founded the first Christian community in di- stant Japan. While on his journey to China, he was suddenly overtaken by death in 1552.
St. Francis is justly called the Apostle of the orient, he preached the faith to countless oriental peoples, converted kings and princes and baptized hundreds of thousands of hea- thens, so that later missionaries needed but follow his foot- steps; dressed in the usual garment of a priest, with the bre- viary under his arms and the requisites for holy Mass upon his shoulders, he travelled on foot and frequently barefoot, in the scorching sun over the hot sand, then again over ice, to preach to new peoples and gain new souls for Christ. Some- times he was so exhausted from hardships of every description, . that he was too weak to speak to the assembled people; but nothing could discourage him in his labors, he could truly say with St. Paul: "I reckon that the sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come."
Hence this great saint is justly honored by the Church as a most zealous champion of holy faith, and his labors remain forever an eloquent proof of the eminent importance of reli- gion.
THIRD SOUTH WINDOW : ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA.
St. Anthony is the descendant of a noble Portuguese fami- ly. He was born in 1195. The early education was given to him at the cathedral school in the city. When 15 yrs. old he entered a religious order called the Augustinians, where he spent 10 years pursuing theological studies and later on caring for the spiritual welfare of his countrymen.
The year 1220 marks a change in the life of St. Anthony. In that year five members of the Franciscan order who had been active as missionaries among the Mohamedans, were mar- tyred, and their venerable bodies were brought to Coimbra, there to be buried. The young priest Anthony was at that time living in this city, and when he saw the glorious martyrs, he was deeply moved, and filled with the holy resolution to be- come likewise an apostle of the infidels. Since his order did not
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have charge of such work, he joined the Franciscans with the permission of his superiors, intending to go at once among the Mohamedans, but a violent storm drove the ship carrying An- thony to Sicily, where he was received into a monastery of the Franciscans. He soon filled a very important position as tea- cher of the higher studies besides working very successfully also on the pulpit. For his great eloquence he was called to ma- ny cities in France. In 1226 he returned to Italy where he con- tinued his priestly work during the rest of his life. His last place of labor was Padua; he came there in 1230. For his per- sonal holiness and the power of his speech his labors were everywhere blessed with great success; whenever he preached high and low thronged to him to hear him and be edified by his words. In 1231 Anthony's health began to fail, and even though he discontinued his strenuous work, his state grew con- tinually more alarming and on the 13th of June 1231 he brea- thed forth his noble soul.
St. Anthony did not reach his original intentions to preach holy faith among the infidels and possibly die as a martyr, however, what he did achieve as missionary priest in Italy and France has assuredly won for him the merit of an apostle with God, and lasting love and veneration among the faithful, especially those of Italy.
FOURTH SOUTH WINDOW: ST. ANNA.
St. Anna is the mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She is represented as an aged matron holding in her hands a book, from which she is instructing the little daughter; Mary is standing at her side and seemingly attending closely to the in- struction of her pious mother.
According to ancient tradition St. Anna was educated in an educational institution at the temple of Jerusalem, there she was from her early youth on taught virtue and holiness ; the maidens of this institution cared also for many needs in the temple, keeping it in good order and preparing the sacred vestments of the priests. The early fathers of the Church tell us of the life of St. Anna in the temple, that she was most fer- vent in prayer, obedient to the spiritual direction of the supe- riors in the institution, pure and modest in her manners and zealous in reading and meditating upon the sacred writings.
After her education she was given in marriage to a pious Jewish shepherd, Joachim. Of this saintly couple it could truly be said what St. Luke wrote later in regard to Zachary and Elizabeth : "They were both just before the Lord and walked
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in all His commandments". One virtue is especially mentio- ned; their great charity and generosity. They divided their goods into three parts, of which one was used for the embel- lishment of the temple, the second for the poor and the third for their own maintainance. To these pious parents God gave the daughter Mary who was to have such an eminent part in bringing about the salvation of mankind. When Mary was three years old Joachim died, the little maiden was received into the institution where her mother had also been raised; St. Anna herself spent the rest of her life in works of piety and for this reason she will forever be remembered as a model for Christian parents, teaching them the virtues which should adorn the state of matrimony.
FIFTH SOUTH WINDOW: ST. ALOYSIUS.
St. Aloysius was the son of prince Ferdinand Gonzaga in Italy. He was born in 1568 on the home castle Castiglione near the old and venerable cities Brescia and Mantua. His mother was a very pious lady and taught her son the ways of piety from early youth.
Aloysius was the first-born son, hence he was to succeed. his father as prince of Castiglione. This position presapposed military training, accordingly his father endeavored by all means to arouse in the boy liking for the military career; he spoke to him frequently of his own deeds of valor which had brought him fame and honor; he gave to the boy pictures and toys refering to the military state. Later on he took Aloysius along into the camps, where he was soon loved by all soldiers ; but a true liking for their life could not be effected in the boys mind. When ten years old, he had to visit several courts to be- come familiar with the customs of the circles, in which he was to move later on; the pomp and the amusements which sur- 1 ounded him there, and which were assuredly apt to fascinate a youth of his age, could not interest him, he refrained from pu- blic gatherings and games, his most cherished place being his own private room, where he spent much of his time in prayer and the reading of devotional books.
At the age of 15 Aloysius expressed his intention to re nounce all worldly relations and enter a monastery. His fa- ther, who had destined him for a high secular position was greatly disappointed when hearing of his compartively humble intention and tried in every way to dissuade him ; but when he saw that all endeavors were in vain, he consented that his son follow the inclination of his heart; and Aloysius, now 18 years
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