The legacy of two Czech saints: Saint Zdislava and Jan Sarkander

The most well-known Czech saints are likely Saint Ludmila and Saint Agnes, followed by Saint Wenceslas, Saint Jan of Nepomuk, and Saints Cyril and Methodius. Saint Jan Sarkander and Saint Zdislava were canonized on May 21, 1995, by Pope John Paul II in Olomouc.

Saint Zdislava: A Noblewoman with a Mission to Help

Saint Zdislava|Photo: e-Sbírky, National Museum - Královská kanonie premonstrátů na Strahově, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 DEED

Saint Zdislava of Lemberk was born around 1220 in Moravia, and her life was dedicated to helping those in need. As the wife of Havel of Lemberk, she actively participated in establishing hospitals and monasteries, particularly in Jablonné in Podještědí. She was known for her extraordinary ability to heal the sick, and according to legend, she was able to cure many people.

The skull of St. Zdislava|Photo: Jaroslav Hoření, Czech Radio

Jan Sarkander: The Martyr of the Confessional Secret

Statue of St. John Sarkander in Uničov, where he lived at the beginning of the 17th century|Photo: Miroslav Kobza, Czech Radio

Jan Sarkander was born in 1576 in the Silesian town of Skoczów and became a Catholic priest working in Moravia. During the Bohemian Revolt, he was accused of treason due to his alleged support for Polish Cossacks. He was imprisoned in Olomouc and subjected to brutal torture to reveal the secrets of the confessional. However, Sarkander did not betray the secret and died from the torture in 1620. After his death, his relics became an object of great veneration and were transferred to St. Wenceslas Cathedral in Olomouc.

Legacy for Today

Saint Zdislava is the patroness of families and the sick, and her legacy reminds us of the importance of caring for others. Jan Sarkander is a symbol of loyalty and courage, having refused to betray the confessional secret, even at the cost of his own life. Their stories show that faith can overcome even the toughest trials.