March 4th is the feast day of Saint Casimir, a 15th century prince of the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Known for his piety, devotion to God, and generosity towards the sick and poor, Casimir led a life of humility and virtue despite his royal status. He died at age 25 most likely of tuberculosis. Casimir is the patron saint of Lithuanian Youth, Lithuania and Poland. Casimir’s body is in a sarcophagus in the Vilnius Cathedral in Lithuania.

St. Casimir (1670) by Carlo Dolci, an Italian Baroque painter from Florence. Dolci is known for his work painting for the powerful Medici family. St. Casimir is shown solemnly awaiting God’s instructions is draped in fine garments to show his status, but his skin is pale to portray his illness. This painting is housed in Palazzo Pitti.