Born in Poland in 1458, he was the second of the thirteen children of the King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania. 

Casimir had a gift for speaking and was a good student but, because of his heritage, there was a royal obligation that he had from a very early age. 

When he was thirteen, a military campaign was launched to install him as the King of Hungary. The campaign was not well supported, however, and clearly outnumbered, a third of his troops deserted because they had not been paid. The campaign failed and Casimir returned home. 

His angry father had him confined for three months, but it was a turning point for Casimir. He spent the rest of his life in prayer and mortification, study, and celibacy, refusing to marry even though this was a royal obligation to do so. 

He developed tuberculosis and died on this day in 1484. 

He was buried with his favorite hymn, Daily, Daily, Sing to Mary, the first verse of which is:

“Daily, daily, sing to Mary, sing, my soul, her praises due, all her fests, her actions honor with her heart’s devotion true.”

After his death, there were many miracles attributed to Casimir including when he appeared to the Lithuanian Army and showed them where they could safely cross the river. 

St. Casimir, please pray for us.