St. Stanislaus Kostka Coloring Page
This St. Stanislaus Kostka coloring page shows the young Jesuit novice in his black habit, kneeling with joy as the Virgin Mary places the Christ Child in his arms, with white lilies beside him. The PDF is free to print. Stanislaus walked hundreds of miles to become a Jesuit and died at 17.
The story of St. Stanislaus Kostka
Stanislaus was a boy from a noble family in Poland. When he was thirteen, he and his big brother Paul were sent to a school run by Jesuit priests in Vienna, Austria. Stanislaus was cheerful and kind, and he loved to pray in the chapel.
Paul did not like that his little brother prayed so much. He teased Stanislaus and was often mean to him. But Stanislaus had a big dream: he wanted to become a Jesuit himself. His father was against it, and the priests in Vienna were afraid to let him join.
So Stanislaus made a brave plan. One morning he walked out of the city. He traded his fine clothes for a poor traveler's clothes and kept walking, all the way to a town called Dillingen in Germany. Paul chased after him in a carriage, but he never caught him! In Dillingen, St. Peter Canisius welcomed Stanislaus and gave him jobs to do. Then he sent him on to Rome.
Stanislaus arrived in Rome very tired, and he joined the Jesuits on his seventeenth birthday. He was so happy! The other novices saw how much he loved God and how kind he was to everyone.
Less than a year later, Stanislaus became very sick. He had written a letter to the Virgin Mary, asking to be with her in heaven for her feast of the Assumption. He died early on the morning of August 15, 1568.
St. Stanislaus Kostka is a patron saint of young people. Meet more young saints on our site.
What to color
- Stanislaus's cassock: black, the habit of a Jesuit novice.
- His halo: gold.
- The baby Jesus: white clothes and a gold halo.
- Mary: a blue mantle, white veil and gold halo, on a white cloud.
- The lilies: white with green stems, for his pure heart.
- The window and hills: blue sky, green hills and a tan road, for the long road he walked to follow God.
A prayer to pray together
Pope Francis gave young people a motto from St. Stanislaus: Ad maiora natus sum, "I was born for greater things." Children can pray:
St. Stanislaus, pray for us. Help me remember that I was born for greater things, to love God and others.
Ideas for families and classrooms
- Color this page on November 13, St. Stanislaus Kostka's feast.
- Go on a family "pilgrimage walk" to church or a park, and pray a decade of the rosary as you walk.
- Write a letter to Mary, as Stanislaus did, telling her what you hope for.
- Talk about it: Stanislaus did not give up on following God, even when it was hard. What good dream do you have?
Read the full story: St. Stanislaus Kostka in the encyclopedia.
Frequently asked questions
What colors should I use for St. Stanislaus Kostka?
Jesuit novices wear black, so color his cassock black or very dark gray. Give Mary a blue mantle and white veil, the baby Jesus white clothes, the lilies white with green stems and all the halos gold.
Why is St. Stanislaus holding the baby Jesus?
Painters often show a vision in which the Virgin Mary placed the Christ Child in his arms. It shows how close he was to Jesus and Mary in prayer.
How far did St. Stanislaus walk?
He walked from Vienna, Austria, to Dillingen in Bavaria, hundreds of miles, to ask to join the Jesuits. Then he was sent on to Rome, where he arrived on October 25, 1567.
Is this coloring page free for schools?
Yes. Print as many copies as you need for your home, classroom or parish.