I have often been asked by people who are
aware that I am a Companion of the Order of Saint Stanislas,
questions such as "What is the Order of Saint Stanislas?" and
"What does the Order of Saint Stanislas do?".
The short answer to such questions is that
the Order of Saint Stanislas is a highly organised body of men
and women, many with a Polish connection (in my own case, I am
descended from the ancient Polish nobility through my maternal
grand- parents), who support and assist, in the raising of
charity of various kinds for the poor and disadvantaged in
Poland and Eastern Europe.
On occassions the Orders intentions have
been challenged by various self proclaimed chivalry 'experts',
and the good works of the Order have been down played in
vengeful attacks aimed at the current Grand Master in general,
and the Order in particular.
With the fall of communism the Order swung
into action and in the first five critical years of Polands
new found freedom the Order provided financial aid to Poland
which was out of all proportion to the size of its'
membership. Funds were raised and distributed through the
Saint Stanislas Foundation to Parish Priests in Poland for
allocation to the needy. Weekly shipments of ex. US Army
medical supplies were distributed to hospitals and rural
medical clinics.