Saint Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia

Saint Wenceslaus I was born around 907 into the Přemyslid dynasty of Bohemia. Raised in the Christian faith by his grandmother, Saint Ludmila, he was formed in prayer and the Church’s worship from an early age. After his father’s death in 921, Ludmila governed as regent until Wenceslaus’s mother, Drahomíra, had her murdered; in time, Wenceslaus took up leadership himself and restored support for the Christian nobles. Ruling Bohemia from 921 until his death, Wenceslaus sought to strengthen his people through the Gospel, welcoming clergy, fostering the Latin rite, and founding the church of Saint Vitus at Prague Castle, the seed of today’s great cathedral. He was remembered as a just and merciful ruler, known for humble devotion and generous care for the poor, widows, orphans, prisoners, and all in distress. In 935 he was betrayed and killed at Stará Boleslav in a plot linked to his brother, Boleslaus, and he was honored at once as a martyr. Venerated as patron of Bohemia and the Czech lands, his feast day is September 28.