Saint Kinga of Poland
Hungarian princess, duchess of Poland, later a Poor Clare at Stary Sącz
- Rank
- Saint
- Kind
- Royalty, Religious
- Life
- 1224 – 1292
- Era
- 13th century
- Feast
- 24 July
- Countries
- Hungary, Poland
Life story
Kinga was born on 5 March 1224 at Esztergom in Hungary, daughter of King Béla IV. She married Bolesław V the Chaste, who became High Duke of Poland, making her a duchess; the couple took a vow of chastity.
The Mongols raided Poland and Hungary from 1240. They sacked Kraków in March 1241 and defeated the Polish forces on 9 April 1241, forcing Kinga and Bolesław to flee to Hungary. She is credited with helping to preserve Polish faith and identity afterwards.
After Bolesław died in 1279 she sold her possessions, gave the money to the poor, and became a Poor Clare nun at the Sandec convent in Stary Sącz, where she spent the rest of her life. A legend says she threw her engagement ring into the Aknaszlatina salt mine and that it travelled with the salt to Wieliczka, where it was found. This is legend, and its source is weak; the chapel dedicated to her in the Wieliczka salt mine, about 101 metres underground, does exist.
She died on 24 July 1292 at Stary Sącz, aged 68. Pope Alexander VIII beatified her in 1690, and Pope John Paul II canonized her on 16 June 1999.
Works and witness
- Married Bolesław V and became duchess of Poland
- Fled to Hungary during the Mongol invasion of 1241
- Joined the Poor Clares at Stary Sącz after 1279
- Canonized on 16 June 1999
Patron of
Poland, Lithuania
Saints from the same country
References
- Canonization of Kinga, John Paul II, 16 June 1999
- Martyrologium Romanum, 24 July
- Poor Clares of Stary Sącz, historical notes on the Sandec convent
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.