Feast Day of Czech Patron Saint, St Wenceslas, in His Martyrdom Place

Bishops of Czech and Moravia gathered in Stara Boleslav on Friday 28 Sep 2007 to commemorate patron saint of the Czech Republic, St Wenceslas, in the place he had been martyred more then thousand years ago. The Mass was presided by Cardinal Miloslav Vlk of Prague, Apostolic Nuncio Diego Causero took part as well and present were also some personalities of the civic life.HERE you can find some photos of the celebrations in Stara Boleslav and in Prague.CZECH

Stara Boleslav, Prague: The Mass at the Square of Our Lady in Stara Boleslav, high point of the National Pilgrimage to St Wenceslas, began at 10.00 am with a procession. Priests and bishops were followed by the relics – the skull of St Wenceslas. Despite heavy rain, some thousand people gathered in the square not far from the basilica, where Bohemian Prince Wenceslas had been killed in 935 by his brother Boleslav. Among politicians and persons of public life, first lady Livia Klausova, Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek and Ministers Cyril Svoboda and Jiri Cunek took part.

In his homily, Archbishop Jan Graubner of Olomouc, president of the Czech Bishops' Conference, presented St Wenceslas as an example of man who didn't live for himself and an example of educator. The society that doesn't care for children – its future – is irresponsible, he said. 'St Wenceslas, Prince of Czech Lands, do not let us perish nor those in future,' he concluded, quoting the ancient Czech hymn.

Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Diego Causero, addressed the meeting at the end. 'True Christians have the obligation to be the 'salt' of social and political progress,' he said, reminding those present of St Wenceslas' role of 'giving the Czech lands the dignity of Nationhood.' Complete text of the message is enclosed.

A day before, celebrations took place in Prague as well – in the Wenceslas' Square – with participation of Cardinal Miloslav Vlk.