Ladislaus I of Hungary

Saint Ladislaus I was born around 1040 in Poland, the second son of the future King Béla I of Hungary and Richeza of Poland. Raised amid exile and political upheaval, he returned to Hungary with his family and, after his father’s death, sought peace by recognizing his cousin Solomon as king. Yet conflict eventually erupted, and Ladislaus stood loyally beside his brother Géza in the struggle that reshaped the realm. When Géza died in 1077, Ladislaus was chosen as king, and he devoted himself to restoring order after years of civil strife. Remembered as a pious knight-king, he strengthened public safety through firm laws, defended the kingdom’s borders against raiders, and extended Hungarian rule into Croatia. His deep love for the faith shone in 1085 when he promoted the veneration of Hungary’s first saints, including King Stephen and Prince Emeric, and even showed mercy by freeing the humbled Solomon. Canonized in 1192, he is honored as patron of the Archdiocese of Alba Iulia, the Diocese of Debrecen–Nyíregyháza, and Szekszárd. His feast day is June 27.