Blessed Jolenta of Poland (June 12)
Jolenta was the daughter of Bela IV, King of
Hungary. Her sister, St. Kunigunde, was married to the Duke of Poland. Jolenta
was sent to Poland where her sister was to supervise her education. Eventually
married to Boleslaus, the Duke of Greater Poland, Jolenta was able to use her
material means to assist the poor, the sick, widows, and orphans. Her husband
joined her in building hospitals, convents, and churches so that he was
surnamed “the Pious.”
Upon
the death of her husband and the marriage of two of her daughters, Jolenta and
her third daughter entered the convent of the Poor Clares. War forced Jolenta
to move to another convent where despite her reluctance, she was made abbess.
So
well did Jolenta serve her Franciscan sisters by word and example, that her
fame and good works continued to spread beyond the walls of the cloister. Her
favorite devotion was the Passion of Christ. Indeed, Jesus appeared to her,
telling her of her coming death. Many miracles, down to our own day, are said
to have occurred at her grave.
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