EFFICACIOUS NOVENA TO SAINT STANISLAUS, BISHOP & MARTYR – DAY 2 (FOR JUSTICE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS IN SOCIETY)

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Our Help is in the Name of the Lord, 

Who made Heaven and Earth.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen.

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Opening Prayer

Almighty and eternal God, You granted to St. Stanislaus, your faithful bishop and martyr, the grace to stand firm in the truth of the Gospel and to give his life in defence of justice and righteousness. Grant that through his intercession, we may receive the grace we seek during this novena. Strengthen our faith, deepen our hope, and increase our charity, that we may live courageously in the light of Your Gospel till the end. (Add your personal intention). We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Scriptural Reading, Life, Examples & Legacies (Part 2)

Amos 5:24 – “Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”
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Meditation: Justice is one of the foundational attributes of God and a non-negotiable demand of authentic Christian discipleship. It is not a mere legal concept or political slogan, it is a moral requirement that calls each person to respect the dignity of others and to give them their due. Where justice is absent, peace cannot thrive; and where righteousness is neglected, society begins to decay from within. In our world today, injustice abounds. It manifests in systemic corruption, abuse of power, exploitation of the poor, neglect of the weak, suppression of truth, and widespread impunity for wrongdoing. In many places, those who stand up for righteousness are silenced, ridiculed, or even targeted. It is not uncommon for truth to be buried under the weight of manipulation, and for virtue to be mocked by those in control of public narratives.

St. Stanislaus was a man who did not stand by in the face of such realities. As Bishop of Kraków, he embraced his pastoral role as both spiritual leader and moral conscience of society. His concern was not limited to the sanctuary or sacristy; he entered into the social and political struggles of his day, not for ambition, but for truth. When King Bolesław II committed grave injustices against his own people, including the illegal seizure of land and the cruel treatment of subjects, Stanislaus publicly opposed him. He did so not out of rebellion, but out of fidelity to the Gospel. He admonished the king, pleaded for reform, and when all efforts failed, he exercised ecclesiastical authority to excommunicate the monarch. This bold move cost him his life. But he did not die for politics—he died because he would not allow the altar of God to be profaned by the blood of the innocent. His blood, in turn, became a seed of renewal for the Polish Church.

Today, we need the courage of Stanislaus more than ever. Bishops, priests, religious, lay leaders, professionals, and everyday Christians must resist the temptation to stay silent in the face of social sin. Justice must not be an occasional concern, it must be a defining mark of our lives. In the home, in the office, in schools, in government, and in the Church, righteousness must flow like a river, cleansing, refreshing, and restoring what is broken. We must also look inward. Do we treat others justly? Are we fair in our judgments? Do we protect the reputation of others? Do we pay fair wages, respect the property of others, speak truthfully, and avoid exploiting people for gain?

To work for justice is to align oneself with the heart of God. It is a path that will often bring opposition, but it is the path of the saints. Through the intercession of St. Stanislaus, may we be defenders of what is right—not selectively, but consistently. And may our society, darkened by so much injustice, be illuminated once more by the light of God’s truth shining through the courage of His faithful.

Litany of St. Stanislaus:

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.
St. Stanislaus, devoted shepherd, pray for us.
St. Stanislaus, fearless witness to truth, pray for us.
St. Stanislaus, martyr of the altar, pray for us.
St. Stanislaus, defender of justice, pray for us.
St. Stanislaus, humble and obedient servant, pray for us.
St. Stanislaus, intercessor for the Church, pray for us.
St. Stanislaus, protector of the oppressed, pray for us.
St. Stanislaus, faithful in prayer, pray for us.
St. Stanislaus, patron of Poland, pray for us.
St. Stanislaus, model for bishops, pray for us.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Pray for us, O glorious St. Stanislaus, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Concluding Prayer

Lord, send forth Your Spirit to renew our society with justice and peace. May we, through the intercession of St. Stanislaus, reject indifference and work for a world where dignity is preserved and truth prevails. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Shalom!
Fr. Chinaka Justin Mbaeri, OSJ
Seminário Padre Pedro Magnone, São Paulo, Brazil
nozickcjoe@gmail.com / fadacjay@gmail.com
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PS: Have you prayed your Rosary today?