#polish saint

[portraitsofsaints]

Saint Andrew Bobola

1591 - May 16, 1657

Feast Day: May 16

Patronage: Poland, Archdiocese of Warsaw

Saint Andrew Bobola was a Polish missionary and martyr of the Society of Jesus called the "Apostle of Lithuania" and a "hunter of souls." Born to a noble family, he became a Jesuit in 1630 on fire to convert the Russian Orthodox to the Catholic faith. He converted thousands before his capture and subsequent cruel torture and martyrdom by Russian Cossacks during the Khmelnytsky Uprising in 1657. His body was exhumed 45 years later and found incorrupt.

Prints, plaques & holy cards available for purchase. (website)

[portraitsofsaints]

Blessed Jerzy Popieluszko 

1947-1984

Feast day: October 19

Patronage: Solidarity

Blessed Jerzy Popieluszko lived in Communist Poland and suffered terribly for his faith while in school and military service. He was ordained a priest in 1972 and served at small parishes until 1980 when he was assigned as chaplain to the Solidarity trade union in Poland, reminding the striking workers to follow the Gospel and abandon violence. As Solidarity grew, so did Fr. Popieluszko's popularity and message, and the government's frustration and death attempts on his life. Communist security officers brutally beat and killed him in 1984. 

Prints, plaques & holy cards available for purchase here: (website)

[portraitsofsaints]

Saint Hyacinth

Apostle of Poland

1185-1257

Feast Day: August 17

Patronage: Lithuania, UST-College of Tourism and Hospitality, Basilica of St. Hyacinth, those in danger of drowning

Saint Hyacinth was born to nobility and well educated, earning a Doctorate of Canon Law and Divinity. He received the Dominican habit from St. Dominic himself, who sent him to preach in Poland, Denmark, Prussia, Lithuania, Sweden, Norway, China, and Tibet. He established Churches, Convents, and Catholic communities. While saying Mass in Kiev, the Tartars were attacking the city. After he finished the Mass, he took the ciborium containing the Eucharist and a beloved statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary and fled, leading the people to the deep river Dnieper. They crossed with dry feet, infuriating the pursuing Tartars who could not follow them. It’s said that Hyacinth’s footprints remained on the water and could be seen for centuries afterward. He died on the feast of the Assumption worn out from his tireless preaching.

Prints, plaques & holy cards available for purchase here: (website)

[portraitsofsaints]

Saint Hedwig of Poland (also known as Jadwiga Królowa)

1379-1399

Feast Day: July 17

Patronage: Queens

Saint Hedwig or Jadwiga, the daughter of King Louis I of Hungary, ascended the throne at age thirteen to become Queen of Poland. She married Jagiello, a non-Christian Prince of Lithuania, for political reasons and eventually converted him, and then actively promoted Christianity in Lithuania. Throughout her life, she was known for her generosity to all, especially the sick and poor, and for a revision of the laws to help the poor. She died in Kraków on July 17, 1399.

Prints, plaques & holy cards available for purchase here: (website)

[portraitsofsaints]

Blessed Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński 1901-1981 Feast Day: May 28 Beatified September 12, 2021

Blessed Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski was Polish nobility that heroically stood against the socialist and communist government. He became a priest and chaplain of the Polish underground during WWII, surviving torture and many hardships. In 1946-1948 he was ordained the Bishop of Lubin and in 1953 was made Cardinal. The Communists imprisoned him for 3 years for his outspoken stance for religious freedom. Known for his devotion to Our Lady of Czestochowa, family rights, economic rights for workers and his prudent negotiations with the government, Cardinal Wyszynski was a true hero. He’s given the title “Primate of the Millennium” and “Primate of Poland.”

Prints, plaques & holy cards available for purchase here: (website)

[portraitsofsaints]

Happy Feast Day Blessed Jerzy Popieluszko  1947-1984 Feast day: October 19 Patronage: Solidarity

Blessed Jerzy Popieluszko lived in Communist Poland and suffered terribly for his faith while in school and military service. He was ordained a priest in 1972 and served at small parishes until 1980 when he was assigned as chaplain to the Solidarity trade union in Poland, reminding the striking workers to follow the Gospel and abandon violence. As Solidarity grew, so did Fr. Popieluszko's popularity and message, and the government's frustration and death attempts on his life. Communist security officers brutally beat and killed him in 1984. {website}

[portraitsofsaints]

Happy Feast Day Blessed Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński 1901-1981 Feast Day: May 28 Beatified September 12, 2021

Blessed Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski was Polish nobility that heroically stood against the socialist and communist government. He became a priest and chaplain of the Polish underground during WWII, surviving torture and many hardships. In 1946-1948 he was ordained the Bishop of Lubin and in 1953 was made Cardinal. The Communists imprisoned him for 3 years for his outspoken stance for religious freedom. Known for his devotion to Our Lady of Czestochowa, family rights, economic rights for workers and his prudent negotiations with the government, Cardinal Wyszynski was a true hero. He’s given the title “Primate of the Millennium” and “Primate of Poland.” {website}

[portraitsofsaints]

Happy Feast Day Saint Hyacinth Apostle of Poland 1185-1257 Feast Day: August 17 Patronage: Lithuania, UST-College of Tourism and Hospitality, Basilica of St. Hyacinth, those in danger of drowning 

Saint Hyacinth was born to nobility and well educated, earning a Doctorate of Canon Law and Divinity. He received the Dominican habit from St. Dominic himself, who sent him to preach in Poland, Denmark, Prussia, Lithuania, Sweden, Norway, China, and Tibet. He established Churches, Convents, and Catholic communities. While saying Mass in Kiev, the Tartars were attacking the city. After he finished the Mass, he took the ciborium containing the Eucharist and a beloved statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary and fled, leading the people to the deep river Dnieper. They crossed with dry feet, infuriating the pursuing Tartars who could not follow them. It’s said that Hyacinth’s footprints remained on the water and could be seen for centuries afterward. He died on the feast of the Assumption worn out from his tireless preaching. {website}