St. Hedwig, Queen of Poland

Memorial
    28 February

Profile
    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.

Born
    1371

Died
    17 July 1399 during child birth
    miracles reported at her tomb

Beatified
    31 May 1979 by Pope John Paul II

Canonized
    8 June 1997 by Pope John Paul II

Patronage
    queens