A Wide Circle of Friends and Mentors by Roberts Liardon

Stanislav fervently taught this doctrine, and, although Hus viewed Stanislav as his mentor, he never followed Stanislav in that belief. Although the teachings of Wycliffe had been banned in England, they were alive and well in Prague. The marriage of Anne of Bohemia to King Richard II of England had opened the door for Bohemians to be educated at Oxford, and the teachings of Wycliffe made their transfer into the spiritually hungry city of Prague. Not only Stanislav but the majority of the Czech masters that Hus studied under were followers of Wycliffe to some degree. The spirit that Wycliffe carried was steadily kindling the reform that was brewing in the hearts of the Czechs.

Roberts Liardon tells us that Hus was a passionate patron of the Czech reform movement. He believed that the Czech language should be the primary language of Bohemia, and that his native people should have their voice heard. His friends Palec and Stanislav were even more passionately involved in the cause. The three became so close that the other university students made jokes and rhymes about their close patriotic and spiritual friendship.

In 1396, Hus passed the rigors of his masters degree, and Stanislav awarded the honor. In the same year, Hus began teaching in the faculty of arts, where he copied some of Wycliffe’s works for his own use. The Swedish army carried away one of the manuscripts in the Thirty Years’ War, and today, it is on display in Stockholm. In the margins of his manuscript, Hus wrote many approving remarks that can still be read, such as, “Wyclif, Wyclif, you will unsettle many a man’s mind,” and “May God grant Wyclif the kingdom of heaven.”

Roberts Liardon tells us that Hus was now lecturing several times a day as well as training students how to use what they had learned and put it into speeches. After teaching for two years, Hus was chosen to promote students to the grade of bachelor. Hus cherished mingling with the students and becoming their friend and mentor. He was well known for being a good and faithful friend, as he truly cared for each student’s wellbeing.