The modern-age Order of Saint Stanislas was created by the action of the then legitimate President of the Polish Government (In Exile), President Juliusz Sokolnicki in 1979. The Order was re-established under the classical rules of chivalry. In legal terms, that means as a "Fons Honorum" (Font of Honor), in the person of a then Head of State (President Sokolnicki); in accord with the universally accepted right of a Head of State to establish an Order of Chivalry.

1979 marked the 900th anniversary of the martyrdom of Saint Stanislas, who was ordered condemned, drawn and quartered, and his parts scattered by King Boleslas the Bold. This took place at the church of Saint Michael, near Krakow.

Polish legend has it that the body parts of Saint Stanislas miraculously came together. This miracle served as an inspiration to the Poles during the 123 year term of foreign occupation, who prayed for Poland to be one day re-united.

Although intended to be a continuation and spiritual heir to the prestigious Order established in 1765 by the last King of Poland, the modern Order today exists separate from any particular secular government or territory. Grand Master Nowina-Sokolnicki resides in Colchester, Essex, England.

Separation from the late Polish Government (In Exile) was accomplished because all members of the Government (In Exile) recognised that there was no place for the re-constituted Order of Saint Stanislas in the Third Republic. (During the foreign occupation, the Order was taken over by the Russian Czars and polluted by being awarded mostly to Russian officers who were persecuting Poland). The Order was not re-constituted after World War I, when Poland regained her independence; instead the Order of Polonia Restituta superseded it. To establish the Order in the Poland of 1979 was incompatible to the Polish Republic because of Polonia Restituta, and would appear a provocation to the Soviets, given the Russian corruption noted above.

The merger of the Polish Government (In Exile) with the new Poland of Lech Walesa made specific reference to the fact that the modern Order of Saint Stanislas was not being folded back into modern Poland, but would have its separate existence.

Despite attacks from a splinter faction of the Government in-Exile (dubbed "The Usurper Government" by political scientists); the legitimacy of President Sokolnicki's tenure as President - as well as the legality of the modern Order of Saint Stanislas - has been endorsed by many national governments. In the United States, as in Poland, it is registered as a non-profit charitable foundation, under the rules of the Internal Revenue Service. Being especially tilted toward military people and those in the medical profession, the Order has even been recognised by the Pentagon. Incidentally the first three brevets went to Our Lady of Czestochowa; HH Pope John Paul and Lech Walesa. The latter is appropriate, inasmuch as the Order of Saint Stanislas was very useful and effective in the role of fighter against communism during the years 1979-1990, bringing the plight of the Polish people to the international stage.

Although fairly unknown outside of the Polish community, the Order of Saint Stanislas numbers thousands of Companions spread throughout the world, made up of honorable men and women of all races and creeds, a true brotherhood of man. It is recognised as a charitable Order concerned with raising the standard of living in East Europe. Funds are raised and held by Priories (a subdivision of the Order generally reflecting the political borders of states or nations).

To date the Order has sent millions of dollars in clothing, books, money and medical aid into Poland and East Europe. In the United States alone, according to its filings with the IRS, the Order gave out $11,000.00 US in grants in calendar 1996. Recipients include the Kosciuszko Foundation, The Sue Ryder Foundation in Warsaw, Pulaski Monument Restoration, Medical University in Warsaw, Polish doctors training in the US., and in 1997 a special gift of $1,500.00 US for flood relief. Additionally, a container holding 25,000 pounds of equipment for a complete emergency hospital, such as operating tables, suction equipment, surgical equipment, surgical instruments, large autoclave, stretchers, and similar equipment, was shipped in August of 1997.

The significant membership that is non-Polish (like General Westmoreland and Congressman Spence, Head of the House National Security Committee) shows that the Order is not restricted to people of Polish ancestry. Nor is it limited to those who hold personal coats-of-arms. However, as an order of chivalry, the Order of Saint Stanislas does promote the noble, civilized and humanitarian ethos of the ancient Polish nobility.

The potential for achieving a serious upgrade of the image of Poland and therefore, of Polish-Americans - that the Order of Saint Stanislas possesses is on a par and actually exceeds that of other organizations - since the focus of the Order is in Saint Stanislas, a patron Saint of Poland, and involves the celebration of Poles and Polish-Americans who merit recognition for their contributions to humanity and Poland. Moreover, the Order exposes well known political, religious and military leaders who are not of Polish stock to all the glory of the noble Polish heritage.

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