CHAPTER XIII-For Greater Things

Most people envision saints as individuals who performed visibly great deeds, similar to Saint Paul or Saint Teresa. However, sanctity is not only about monumental acts but the manner in which ordinary tasks are undertaken, embodying a distinct spiritual integrity. This principle is exemplified in the noviceship of Saint Stanislaus Kostka, a seventeen-year-old Polish novice in the Professed House in Rome during 1567. His daily routine encapsulated the essence of a humble, God-centered life, filled with menial tasks like carrying wood for the kitchen, washing dishes, and serving at tables, along with spiritual practices including meditation, Mass, Holy Communion, and spiritual reading.

Stanislaus’s noviceship was a period characterized by early morning rises, rigorous spiritual exercises, and diligent work under the guidance of a cook or during religious instructions. Despite the seemingly ordinary nature of his daily activities, what set Stanislaus apart was his perfect adherence to discipline and his extraordinary commitment to every task as a service to God. This commitment was demonstrated vividly when he obeyed the cook’s direction to carry only a few pieces of wood at a time, seeing this instruction as a divine command.

The life of a novice, expected to last two years before taking vows and beginning the arduous journey of Jesuit studies, was designed to be a trial of faith and endurance. Stanislaus’s personal conduct—marked by absolute obedience, full engagement in prayer, and a humble acceptance of menial work—reflected his saintliness. He distinguished himself not through grandiose actions but through the perfection with which he approached every aspect of his daily routine and his unwavering focus on pleasing God.

His devotion and humility were further exemplified in his interactions with others, including Cardinal Commendoni, whom he greeted with the utmost simplicity and disregard for his own appearance. Stanislaus’s life in the noviceship underscores the profound truth that closeness to God, achieved through faithful fulfillment of one’s daily duties and spiritual exercises, brings a deep, unshakeable peace that transcends worldly judgment and challenges. In essence, the noviceship chapter reveals that sanctity lies not in the scale of one’s actions but in their orientation toward God and the perfection with which they are carried out.