St. Stephen of Hungary: Without These Virtues, No Man Is Fit to Rule (2 September)

About this sermon

What makes a man truly worthy to rule? St. Stephen of Hungary answered that question in a powerful admonition addressed to his son and preserved in the Divine Office. Celebrated on September 2 in the traditional Catholic calendar, St. Stephen was born in Pannonia around A.D. 969. After receiving baptism, he was crowned King of Hungary around the year 1000. Stephen governed his people with justice, peace and piety. He carefully observed the laws of the Church, sought the welfare of his subjects, established dioceses and devoted his reign to planting and strengthening the Catholic Faith throughout Hungary. In this reading, St. Stephen addresses his son with both paternal tenderness and royal authority. If the prince wishes to honor the crown, his first obligation is to maintain the Catholic and Apostolic Faith with diligence. He must live so faithfully that everyone placed under his authority can recognize him as a man of authentic Christian profession. Stephen warns that a ruler who neglects the Faith cannot rightly be called a Christian or a son of the Church. Because Christianity was still newly planted in Hungary, the Church required prudent and trustworthy guardians. What divine mercy had established could be destroyed through idleness, indifference or neglect. The king then tells his son to extend favor beyond relatives, nobles, wealthy men, neighbors and fellow countrymen. He must also welcome foreigners and everyone who approaches him seeking justice or assistance. A Christian ruler must show mercy toward those suffering violence and continually remember the words of Christ: “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.” He must exercise patience not only toward the powerful, but also toward the weak. Stephen also warns his son against the two great tests of leadership: prosperity and adversity. Success must not make him proud, while suffering must not drive him into discouragement. Finally, St. Stephen identifies the virtues comprising the true royal crown: Be humble, so that God may raise you up in the life to come. Be moderate, never punishing or condemning anyone excessively. Be gentle without opposing justice. Be honorable, never willingly disgracing another person. Be chaste, fleeing the corruption of lust as one flees death. St. Stephen, King and Confessor, pray for us! 00:00 Feast of St. Stephen of Hungary 00:07 Reading the Saints in the Divine Office 00:16 The Preserved Words of St. Stephen 00:23 An Admonition to His Son 00:37 The Life of Hungary’s Catholic King 00:45 Birth in Pannonia and Baptism 00:52 Crowned King of Hungary 01:00 A Just, Peaceful and Pious Ruler 01:07 Establishing Dioceses and Strengthening the Church 01:22 “My Dearest Son” 01:30 Maintain the Catholic and Apostolic Faith 01:37 Become an Example to Those You Lead 01:46 A Man of True Christian Profession 01:55 A Christian and Son of the Church 02:03 Christ, the Apostles and the Holy Fathers 02:17 The Ancient and Ever-Fruitful Church 02:28 Hungary’s Young and Newly Planted Church 02:37 The Need for Trustworthy Guardians 02:46 The Danger of Idleness and Neglect 02:56 St. Stephen’s Paternal Command 03:04 Show Favor Beyond Relations and Nobles 03:12 Welcome Foreigners and Strangers 03:25 Be Merciful to Those Suffering Violence 03:33 “I Desire Mercy, Not Sacrifice” 03:40 Patience with the Powerful and Weak 03:48 Prosperity, Adversity and Strength 03:58 Humility and the Heavenly Kingdom 04:08 Moderation in Judgment and Punishment 04:16 Gentleness, Honor and Justice 04:25 Chastity and the Danger of Lust 04:36 The Virtues of a Christian Ruler 04:42 The True Royal Crown 04:52 Earthly Rule and the Heavenly Kingdom For more please visit http://www.stacharlotte.com/library/daily-mass-homilies & remember to say 3 Hail Marys for the priest #SaintStephen #CatholicFaith #CatholicSaints #FeastDay #DivineOffice #OldCalendar #CatholicChurch #CatholicYouTube #CatholicHistory #Hungary #SaintsWisdom #CatholicReflection 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴