King St. Ladislas I

Saint Ladislas I of Hungary

King & Confessor

Ladislas, or Laszlo in Hungarian, was born in the year of Our Lord 1040, the son of King Bela I. After the death of his brother King Geza in 1077, Ladislas was hailed as the new monarch. Though reluctant, he accepted the crown, and immediately faced a challenge from his rebellious cousin Solomon. At one point Ladislas was forced to imprison Solomon, but as a gesture of good will the king freed his cousin in honor of the canonization of King Stephen of Hungary. Nonetheless, Solomon persisted in allying with heathen forces to attempt another revolt, until his efforts were defeated once and for all. Ladislas was renowned for both his personal austerity and his magnanimity, giving generously to the Church and the poor. He restored the rule of law throughout Hungary, defended and expanded her borders, and strove to eradicate all traces of paganism in his lands. Hungarian stories and songs still hail him as the epitome of Christian chivalry and governance. Ladislas died of illness in the year of Our Lord 1095, while preparing to lead a crusade against the Saracens.

Traditional Roman Martyrology for June 27th

IN Galatia, St. Crescens, disciple of the blessed apostle Paul. In passing through Gaul, he converted many to the Christian faith by his preaching. Returning to the people for whom especially he had been made bishop, he maintained, to the end of his life, the Galatians in the service of the Lord, and finally consummated his martyrdom under Trajan.

At Cordova, St. Zoilus, and nineteen other martyrs.

At Caesarea, in Palestine, in the persecution of Diocletian, under the governor Urbanus, St. Anectus, martyr. For having exhorted others to suffer martyrdom, and overthrown idols by his prayers, he was scourged by ten soldiers, had his hands and feet cut off, and by decapitation merited the crown of martyrdom.

At Constantinople, St. Sampson, a priest who harbored the poor.

At Warasdin, in Hungary, the holy king Ladislas, greatly renowned to this day for miracles.

℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.

℟. Thanks be to God.