thee, I may be made worthy to enjoy the vision of our God forever. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary.
Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. — Pius VII, March 6, 1802.
The Death of St. Stanislaus Kostka
St. Stanislaus had drawn as his monthly patron for August the glorious martyr St. Laurence, and in his honor he performed daily some penance or devotion. On the eve of his feast he obtained leave to take the discipline; in the morning he went to Communion, and then laid before the image of the saint a letter addressed to our Lady, in which he begged that he might die on her feast of the Assumption, and he prayed St. Laurence to present to her his petition. That night he was seized with a slight fever, which, however, rapidly increased; and on Assumption-eve he received the last sacraments. Then, as he lay dying, he had brought to him a little book containing a litany in his own writing of his monthly patron saints, whom he constantly invoked. At 3 a.m. on the feast of the Assumption his face suddenly lit up with joy, and he breathed forth his soul to the Mother of God, who had come to conduct him to heaven.
Prayer to St. Stanislaus Kostka
Dear St. Stanislaus, angel of purity and seraph of charity, I rejoice with thee at thy most happy death, which arose from thy desire to contemplate our Lady in heaven, and was at length caused by the excess of thy love for her, I give thanks to Mary because she thus accomplished thy desires; and I pray thee, by the luster of thy happy death, to be my advocate and patron in my death. Intercede with Mary for me, to obtain for me a death, if not all happiness like thine, yet calm and peaceful, under the protection of Mary my advocate, and of thee, my special patron. Pater, Ave, Gloria.
