He studied canon law and theology at Gnesen and possibly Paris, after years of a religious education that his parents had given him. After their death, Stanislaus spread his inheritance among the poor.

He was ordained by Lambert Zula, the Bishop of Cracow, who appointed him pastor of Czembocz near Cracow, canon and preacher at the cathedral, and later, vicar general. After the death of Lambert, Stanislaus accepted the position as bishop, only on explicit command of Pope Alexander II.

Conflicts between King Boleslaus II, the Kind of Poland, and Stanislaus arose through a dispute about church property and the pagan ways of the king. After Stanislaus excommunicated Boleslaus from the church, the king condemned him as a traitor on April 11, 1079. Soon after his retirement, Stanislaus was killed by Boleslaw while celebrating Mass at St. Michael’s church outside the gates of Cracow.

St. Stanislaus is the patron saint of the archbishops of Cracow and was canonized in 1253.