RELIQUARY, RELIC OF SAINT STANISLAS KOSTKA

Rare silver reliquary with a glass front containing the relic of Saint Stanislaus Kostka. The relic is fixed in the center of a richly decorated setting. decorated with gold-edged paperolles, silver threads and it is identified in Latin on a handwritten label as: S. Stan. Kost . A red fabric background provides contrast and highlights the relic; this color, omnipresent in the Christian liturgy, symbolizes the blood of Christ and his redemptive sacrifice.

The red wax seal affixed by the Church not only guarantees the authenticity of the relic, but also that the reliquary has not been opened and that the relic has not been handled since it was closed. It thus ensures its intact preservation, providing complete certainty as to its provenance and integrity.

PERIOD : 18th century
DIMENSIONS : 4 cm X 3 cm
SIZE : 1.6" X 1.2"

Saint Stanislaus Kostka (1550-1568) was a young Polish Jesuit, known for his exceptional piety and his ardent desire to serve God. Born into a noble family, he felt the call to religious life at an early age, but his family strongly opposed it. At only 17 years old, he ran away from home and walked more than 600 km to Rome to join the Society of Jesus. His intense spiritual commitment and his love for the Virgin Mary left a deep mark on those who knew him. He died shortly after his admission, leaving behind the image of a young man of unwavering faith. Canonized in 1726 , he is today the patron saint of students, Jesuit novices and young people in search of a vocation . His feast day is celebrated on August 15 or November 13 depending on tradition.