00:00Wenceslas was born around the year 907 into a Bohemian princely family.
00:06His father, Duke Vratislav, died prematurely, leaving young Wenceslas under the guardianship of his mother, Draomira.
00:13The latter, hostile to Christianity, attempts to impose the ancient pagan traditions,
00:19while his grandmother Ludmilla, a deeply religious woman, ensures that he is educated in the Christian faith.
00:25Ludmilla introduced him to prayer, the Gospels and virtuous living, which would have a profound impact on the child.
00:33As a teenager, Wenceslas received a solid Christian and intellectual education.
00:39When his father died, he was still too young to reign.
00:43His mother, Draomira, therefore took over as regent and persecuted the Christians.
00:47But Wenceslas, supported by the nobles faithful to the gospel, eventually assumed his role as Duke of Bohemia.
00:55Having become sovereign, he governs with wisdom and piety.
00:59He strives to promote peace and justice in his duchy.
01:04Very attached to the Christian faith, he had churches built,
01:08encourages the proclamation of the gospel and maintains diplomatic relations with the German Empire to strengthen its people.
01:16His reputation as a pious and charitable prince spread.
01:19He cares for the poor, supports widows and orphans and does not hesitate to get involved in works of mercy himself.
01:29But this reign of justice and faith is not to everyone's taste.
01:33His younger brother, Bolesław, driven by ambition and encouraged by pagan supporters,
01:39begins to plot against him.
01:42On the night of September 27-28, 935,
01:46Wenceslas is invited by Boleslas to a party.
01:50On his return, while he was going to church for mass,
01:54He was attacked by his brother and his accomplices who fatally struck him.
02:00Wenceslas dies forgiving,
02:02thus becoming a martyr of faith and betrayed brotherhood.
02:05Very quickly, the people of Bohemia venerated him as a saint.
02:09In Prague, his grave became a place of pilgrimage.
02:13Wenceslas is proclaimed chief patron of Bohemia
02:17and to this day his memory remains dear to the Slavic people.
02:22The famous carol "Good King Wenceslas" still reminds us in the West
02:26the image of this model Christian sovereign,
02:29symbol of justice, peace and living faith.
02:33Prayer to Saint Wenceslas.
02:36O Saint Wenceslas, just and faithful prince,
02:40you who preferred peace to violence,
02:43charity to power and faith to denial,
02:47intercede for us.
02:49Teach us to serve God with courage,
02:52to defend justice even at the cost of our lives,
02:56and to love our brothers even when they hurt us.
02:59You who now reign in the glory of Christ,
03:03guide our steps towards true peace.
03:07Amen.
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