St. Hedwig, Queen of Poland

  Posted on August 24, 2024  by admin  No comments

Born: 18 February 1374 in Buda (in modern Budapest, Hungary

Died: 17 July 1399 during in Kraków, Malopolskie, Poland in child birth, miracles reported at her tomb

Beatified: 31 May 1979 by Pope John Paul II (cultus confirmation), 17 December 1996 by Pope John Paul II (decree of heroic virtues)

Canonized: 8 June 1997 by Pope John Paul II.

Also known as Hedwig of Anjou, Hedwig Andegawenska, Eduviges, Jadwiga, Jadvyga, Hedvig, Hedvigis

Youngest daughter of King Louis I of Hungary. Because she was great-niece to King Casimir III of Poland, she became Queen of Poland in 1382 upon her father’s death. She was engaged to William, Duke of Austria, whom she loved, but broke off the relationship in order to marry Jagiello, non-Christian Prince of Lithuania, at age 13 for political reasons. She offered her misery in this marriage to Christ, and she eventually converted her husband; Jagiello was later known as King Landislaus II of Poland after the unification of the kingdoms, a union that lasted over 400 years. Noted for her charity to all, but especially the sick and poor, and for a revision of the laws to help the poor.