The liturgy today commemorates St. Hedwig, or Hedwig, who inherited the throne of Poland (1382-1399) upon the death of her father, Louis I of Hungary. The saint was historical figure important in the union of Poland and Lithuania. She married King Ladislaus Jaguellon of Lithuania, converted to Christianity as Ladislaus II, and her husband, evangelized the country.
The 'Roman Martyrology' defines it this way: 'In Krakow, city of Poland, saint Hedwig, queen, who, born in Hungary, inherited the kingdom of Poland and married Jagiellon, great lord of Lithuania, who received in baptism the name of Ladislaus, and with whom she implanted the Catholic faith in that territory of Lithuania († 1399)'." Jadwiga Andegaweńskain Polish, was noted for his charitable work, founding of hospitals and his role in the Christianization of Lithuania.
Faculty of Theology at the University of Krakow
St. Hedwig took an active part in the life of the huge Polish-Lithuanian state. She promoted culture and founded the Faculty of Theology at the University of Krakow ("the Jaguellonian"), one of the oldest in Europe. Saint John Paul IIwho studied there, would teach that "the real wealth of a country is its universities".
Queen Hedwig, who died at the age of 25, has been admired for centuries. She was beatified in 1987, and canonized ten years later, by the holy Polish Pope. And her relics were transferred to the altar of Christ Crucified in the Cathedral of Krakow.
Martyrs in the French Revolution
Blessed Teresa of St. Augustine, prioress, and 15 Discalced Carmelite nuns of the Carmel of Compiègne, were guillotined in Paris in 1794, during the French Revolution. Therese of St. Augustine was born in Paris in 1752 and entered the Discalced Carmelite monastery of Compiègne, some 65 km north of Paris. Through her inspiration, all the Carmelites offered themselves to the Lord as victims of atonement to ask for peace for the Church and for their country.
Also celebrated today is St. Alexius, 4th century, who left his home to become a beggar who begged for alms incognito. Saint Hyacinth, martyr in Asia Minor (today Turkey). Saints Justa and Rufina, sister martyrs of Seville (Spain), whose memory is recorded in the most ancient martyrologies. O St. Leo IVPope (847-855), buried in St. Peter's.
