Saint Wenceslaus

Duke of Bohemia, Martyr
(c. 907–929)

Saint Wenceslaus, known in Czech as Václav, was born around 907 into the ruling dynasty of Bohemia and was educated as a Christian by his devout grandmother Saint Ludmila, who was later martyred for her faith. His mother, who was a pagan, dominated the regency after his father's death and had Ludmila strangled, seeking to undo the Christian influence she had exercised over the young prince. Despite this inauspicious beginning, Wenceslaus came to power as a Christian ruler deeply committed to the evangelisation of his people.

As duke he promoted Christianity, built churches, invited priests and monks to Bohemia, and governed his people with justice and mercy. He personally served the poor, distributing bread and wine to the hungry from his own table, and is said to have gone barefoot through the snow on winter nights to bring wood to the fires of the poor, giving rise to the beloved carol Good King Wenceslas. He protected the weak from the oppression of powerful nobles and refused to make war against his neighbours when peace could be achieved.

His Christian policies and his submission to the king of Germany, which brought political stability at the cost of some national independence, alienated a faction of the Bohemian nobility who preferred paganism and a more aggressive foreign policy. His younger brother Boleslav became the focus of their opposition. In 929 Boleslav invited Wenceslaus to a religious feast and the following morning, as Wenceslaus was going to church, had him assassinated by a group of conspirators. Wenceslaus died at the church door, reportedly forgiving his brother as he fell.

He was immediately venerated as a martyr and became the patron saint of Bohemia, the national saint of the Czech people. He was canonised shortly after his death by Pope John XIII. His feast is celebrated on September 28th.