Saint Stephen of Hungary

Also known as;

Stephen the Great
Istvan
Memorial
16 August
formerly 2 September
20 August (translation of relics)
Profile
Born to a pagan family, but was baptized at age 10 with his father. King of the Magyars in Hungary. Married to Blessed Gisella of Ungarn, sister of emperor Saint Henry II. Evangelized both their peoples. Saint Astricus served as his advisor. Stephen united the Magyars into a single nation, suppressing revolts led by pagan nobles. Crowned king on Christmas Day 1001 by Emperor Otto III by authority of Pope Sylvester II. Organized dioceses, and founded monasteries. Father of Saint Emeric; brought Saint Gerard Sagredo to tutor his son.
Born
969 at Esztergom, Hungary
Died
15 August 1038 at Szekesfehervar, Hungary
Canonized
1083 by Pope Saint Gregory VII
Patronage
against the death of children
bricklayers
Hungary
kings
masons
stone masons
stonecutters
Representation
king with sword and banner of the cross
king offering his crown to the Blessed Virgin Mary
king on horseback with banner of the cross
king holding a church in his hands
king holding a standard or banner with the Blessed Virgin Mary
Additional Information
Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate
Catholic Online
Katherine Rabenstein
Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints, by Matthew Bunson, Margaret Bunson, and Stephen Bunson
Pictorial Lives of the Saints
Wikipedia
Readings
My beloved son, delight of my heart, hope of your posterity, I pray, I command, that at every time and in everything, strengthened by your devotion to me, you may show favor not only to relations and kin, or to the most eminent, be they leaders or rich men or neighbors or fellow-countrymen, but also to foreigners and to all who come to you. By fulfilling your duty in this way you will reach the highest state of happiness. Be merciful to all who are suffering violence, keeping always in your heart the example of the Lord who said, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice.” Be patient with everyone, not only with the powerful, but also with the weak. Finally be strong lest prosperity lift you up to much or adversity cast you down. Be humble in this life, that God may raise you up in the next. Be truly moderate and do not punish or condemn anyone immoderately. Be gentle so that you may never oppose justice. Be honorable so that you may never voluntarily bring disgrace upon anyone. Be chaste so that ;you may avoid all the foulness of lust like the pangs of death. All these virtues I have noted above make up the royal crown, and without them no one is fit to rule here on earth or attain to the heavenly kingdom. - from Saint Stephen’s advice to his son
MLA Citation