[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 141 (Wednesday, October 8, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2016]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN HONOR OF ST. WENCESLAUS DAY

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                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 8, 2003

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize the 
80th Anniversary of the observance of the Feast of St. Wenceslaus Day 
at St. Wenceslaus Parish. The celebration will begin with the Eucharist 
Liturgy at 11:00 a.m. on September 28, 2003.
  St. Wenceslaus is the patron saint of Bohemia. He was born near 
Prague in 903 and his father was the Duke of Bohemia. As Wenceslaus was 
growing up, his grandmother, also a saint, taught him the values of 
Christianity. In the year 922, when an anti-Christian faction killed 
Wenceslaus's father and took over the government, Wenceslaus staged a 
coup and was named the new ruler. During his reign, Wenceslaus 
attempted to reduce the oppression of the peasants by the nobility and 
promoted Christianity.
  His younger brother, Boleslaus, joined a group of dissenters after he 
lost succession to the throne as a result of the birth of Wenceslaus's 
son. Boleslaus invited his brother to a religious festival, and while 
Wenceslaus was on his way to mass on the morning of September 28, 929, 
Boleslaus and a group of followers ambushed him. Wenceslaus's last 
words were, ``May God forgive you, brother.'' Wenceslaus was 
immediately venerated as a martyr, and was celebrated as the nation's 
patron saint by the end of the century.
  Today, St. Wenceslaus is remembered for his concern for the poor in a 
popular Christmas carol, where he leaves his castle with a page during 
a winter storm to deliver food and wood to a peasant. As the storm 
worsens, the page follows in Wenceslaus's footsteps, which miraculously 
warm his freezing feet. By following the path of righteousness, 
Wenceslaus was led into sainthood, and the page was led out of the 
storm. The worshippers at Saint Wenceslaus Parish also try to follow 
the path of righteousness and St. Wenceslaus's example. They are 
celebrating his feast day this weekend with a Eucharistic Liturgy, a 
traditional Czech Pork and Dumpling Dinner, and dancing to traditional 
Czech music.

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