- May 22, 2020
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Order of Saint Stanislaus the Martyr
Ordo Sancti Stanislai Martyris
Foundation and Purpose:
The Order of Saint Stanislaus the Martyr is a royal and ecclesiastical order of chivalry in the Kingdom of Poland, revived by His Majesty King Stanislaus Grabowski in the Year of Our Lord 2007. Originally established in 1765 by King Stanisław August Poniatowski to honor civic merit and pious service, the order has been restored with renewed purpose: to reward moral courage, Christian virtue, charitable works, and faithful service to Church and Crown.Named in honor of Saint Stanislaus of Szczepanów, Bishop and Martyr, who gave his life in defiance of tyranny and in defense of sacred law, the Order embodies the spiritual and national conscience of the Polish people. It is granted to individuals whose actions reflect personal sacrifice, devotion to justice, and service to the common good, especially in the face of political oppression, persecution, or moral adversity.
The Order is both a religious and civic distinction, uniting the traditions of the Polish Church with those of the Polish Crown.
Classifications of the Order:
Grand Cross of Saint Stanislaus the Martyr- Awarded to: Cardinals, archbishops, national leaders, or foreign dignitaries who have exemplified Christian virtue and selfless dedication to the Polish state, the Catholic faith, or the defense of human dignity.
- Insignia: A red enameled cross bearing an image of Saint Stanislaus with a martyr’s palm, bordered in gold and worn from a white sash with red trim. Accompanied by a radiant silver star with the Latin motto Pro Fide et Patria (“For Faith and Fatherland”).
- Awarded to: Bishops, jurists, scholars, and public figures who have advanced Christian ethics in public life, education, or the legal defense of human rights.
- Insignia: A smaller version of the cross worn around the neck on a white and red ribbon, with a silver badge worn on the breast.
- Awarded to: Priests, educators, lay leaders, and defenders of the poor or persecuted. This rank recognizes those who serve their communities with moral integrity and religious devotion.
- Insignia: A red cross edged in silver, with Saint Stanislaus at its heart, suspended from a breast ribbon in white and red.
- Awarded to: Citizens and faithful of any background who have performed notable acts of mercy, reconciliation, or resistance to injustice, especially under difficult or dangerous conditions.
- Insignia: A circular silver medal featuring the martyrdom of Saint Stanislaus, with the inscription Virtus In Persecutione (“Virtue Amid Persecution”).
Privileges and Duties:
Privileges of the Order:Members may use the titles “Knight” or “Dame of Saint Stanislaus” and are invited to ecclesiastical and royal ceremonies as guests of honor. Recipients may append the post-nominal letters K.S.St. (Knight of Saint Stanislaus), C.S.St. (Commander), or G.C.S.St. (Grand Cross) depending on rank.
Members are also entered into the Ecclesiastical Register of Chivalric Orders maintained by the Royal Chapel and the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Warsaw.
Duties of the Order:
Those admitted to the Order are called to uphold the virtues of justice, humility, faith, and fortitude. They are expected to engage in acts of Christian charity, defend moral truth in public life, and support the spiritual well-being of the Polish people. Clerical recipients are urged to serve as confessors and spiritual guides; lay members are encouraged to become patrons of social, educational, or charitable institutions.
Ceremony of Investiture:
The Order is conferred each year on April 11th, the Feast of Saint Stanislaus, in a solemn Mass at the Wawel Cathedral in Kraków, where Saint Stanislaus’s relics are enshrined. The investiture is celebrated with both religious and royal rites.Candidates swear an oath on the Gospels to defend truth and justice, after which they are blessed by the Primate of Poland and presented with the insignia by the King himself, in the presence of the Royal Court, the College of Bishops, and members of the Order.
Badge and Insignia Design:
The badge of the Order is a red enameled cross representing martyrdom and moral courage, with a central medallion depicting Saint Stanislaus with a palm of martyrdom, surrounded by a white ring bearing the motto Pro Fide et Patria. The ribbon is white with red borders, signifying purity and sacrifice.The Grand Cross star is an eight-pointed silver burst behind the cross, worn on the left breast. The Medal bears an image of the bishop standing before King Bolesław II, symbolizing the martyr's confrontation with royal tyranny.
Conclusion:
The Order of Saint Stanislaus the Martyr serves as a solemn recognition of those whose lives reflect the heroic virtue and spiritual fortitude of its namesake. It is a mark of deep moral esteem, reserved for those who walk with courage in defense of the voiceless, the faithful, and the good. Through the order, the Crown of Poland and the Church together affirm that true greatness lies in sacrifice, justice, and unwavering fidelity to truth.Given under Our hand and seal, at the Royal Palace of Warsaw, this day of April, in the Year of Our Lord 2007.
His Majesty, King Stanislaus Grabowski of Poland
His Eminence Józef Cardinal Wyszyński II, Primate of Poland
His Excellency Count Władysław J. Orłowski, Royal Chancellor and Keeper of the Seal
