- Trending:
- Today's Reading
- The Mysteries of the Rosary
St. Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia
Author and Publisher - Catholic Online
Support Catholic Online
Patron saint of Bohemia, parts of Czech Republic, and duke of Bohemia frorn 924-929. Also called Wenceslas, he was born near Prague and raised by his grandmother, St. Ludmilla, until her murder by his mother, the pagan Drahomira.
Wenceslaus's mother assumed the regency over Bohemia about 920 after her husband's death, but her rule was so arbitrary and cruel in Wenceslaus' name that he was compelled on behalf of his subjects to overthrow her and assume power for himself in 924 or 925.
A devout Christian, he proved a gifted ruler and a genuine friend of the Church.
German missionaries were encouraged, churches were built, and Wenceslaus perhaps took a personal vow of poverty. Unfortunately, domestic events proved fatal, for in 929 the German king Heinrich I the Fowler (r. 919-936) invaded Bohemia and forced Wenceslaus to make an act of submission.
This defeat, combined with his pro-Christian policies, led a group of non-Christian nobles to conspire against him. On September 28, 935, a group of knights under the leadership of Wenceslaus' brother, Boreslav, assassinated the saint on the doorstep of a church.
Virtually from the moment of his death, Wenceslaus was considered a martyr and venerated as a saint.
Miracles were reported at his tomb, and his remains were translated to the church of St. Vitus in Prague which became a major pilgrimage site.
The feast has been celebrated at least since 985 in Bohemia, and he is best known from the Christmas carol "Good King Wenceslaus."
St. Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia Gifts by Catholic Online Shopping
Prayer To St. Sebastian
@ $22.95
More Saints
Saint Feast Days by Month
St. Joseph Prayer To 1900 Year
@ $22.95
Saint of the Day
St. Bartholomew
St. Bartholomew, 1st. century, one of the 12. All that is known of him with certainty is that he is mentioned in the synoptic gospels and Acts as one of the twelve apostles. His name, a ... continue reading
More Saint of the DayFemale Saints
St. Lucy
Lucy's history has been lost and all we really know for certain is that this brave woman who lived in Syracuse lost her life during the persecution of Christians in the early fourth century. Her veneration spread to Rome so that by the sixth century the whole Church ... continue reading
More Female SaintsMore Female Saints
Angels
St. Michael the Archangel
Saint Michael the Archangel isn't a saint, but rather he is an angel, and the leader of all angels and of the army of God. This is what the title "Archangel" means, that he is above all the others in rank. St. Michael has four main responsibilities or offices, as we ... continue reading
St. Gabriel, the Archangel
St. Gabriel is an angel who serves as a messenger for God to certain people. He is one of the three archangels. Gabriel is mentioned in both the Old and the New Testaments of the Bible. First, in the Old Testament, Gabriel appears to the prophet Daniel to explain his ... continue reading
Saints Fun Facts
St. Fulgentius
Bishop of Ruspe, Tunisia, and a friend of St. Augustine. Born Fabius Claudius Gordianus Fulgentius of Carthage, he was a Roman of senatorial rank. His mother, widowed, opposed Fulgentius' religious career, but he became a monk. He became abbot with Felix but had to ... continue reading
Archbishop Fulton Sheen
Fulton John Sheen (born Peter John Sheen, May 8, 1895 - December 9, 1979) was an American archbishop of the Roman Catholic Church known for his preaching and especially his work on television and radio. His cause for canonization for sainthood was officially opened in ... continue reading
FREE Catholic Classes Pick a class, you can learn anything
More Saints
Christian Saints & Heroes
Get your gorgeous Knights Templar certificate today!
By Marshall Connolly (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
Nearly 100 people have completed their adventure with the Knights Templar on Catholic Online School. Are you next? LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) - Nearly 100 certificates have been issued to students who have successfully completed Catholic Online School's ... continue reading
More Christian Saints & HeroesMore Christian Saints & Heroes
Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you. Help Now >
Latest
by Catholic Online
- Daily Reading for Monday, August 26th, 2019 HD Video
- St. Bartholomew: Saint of the Day for Saturday, August 24, 2019
- Christian filmmakers win right to sue against Minnesota human rights law
- New South Wales parliament delays final abortion bill vote
- Daily Readings for Saturday, August 24, 2019
- Prayer Requests Live for Friday, August 23rd, 2019 HD Video
- Minnesota archbishop reflects on the significance of a pastoral heart
Latest Videos
on YouTube
Daily Readings
Daily Reading for Saturday August 24, 2019
Reading 1, Revelation 21:9-14
Psalm, Psalms 145:10-11, 12-13, 17-18
Gospel, John 1:45-51
Saint of the Day
St. Bartholomew
August 24: St. Bartholomew, 1st. century, one of the 12. ... Read More
Catholic Online Shopping
Cristo Rey Prayer Card
@ $22.95
St Dymphna Prayer Card & Rosary
@ $43.99Information
Learn about Catholic world
Catholic Online
Inform - Inspire - Ignite
Catholic Online Saints
Your saints explained
Catholic Online Prayers
Prayers for every need
Catholic Online Bible
Complete bible online
Catholic Online News
Your news Catholic eye
Daily Reading
Today's bible reading
Lent / Easter
Death & resurrection of Jesus
Advent / Christmas
Birth of Jesus
Rest of Catholic Online
All Catholic world we offer
Services
Products and services we offer
Catholic Online Shopping
Catholic medals, gifts & books
Advertise on Catholic Online
Your ads on catholic.org
Catholic Online Email
Email with Catholic feel
Education
Learn the Catholic way
Catholic Online School
Free Catholic education for all
Student Classes
K-12 & Adult Education Classes
Support Free Education
Tax deductible support Free education
Socials
Connect with us online
Catholic Online on Facebook
Catholic social network
Catholic Online on Twitter
Catholic Tweets
Catholic Online on YouTube
Enjoy our videos
Catholic Online on Instagram
Shared Catholic moments
Catholic Online on Pinterest
Catholic ideas style inspiration
Copyright 2019 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2019 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.
Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.
