Kinga of Poland

Saint Kinga was born on March 5, 1224, in Esztergom in the Kingdom of Hungary, the daughter of King Béla IV and Maria Laskarina. Raised among a family of notable holiness, she was related to Saints Elizabeth of Hungary and Hedwig of Andechs, and her own sisters included Margaret of Hungary and Jolenta of Poland. Though she entered an arranged marriage with Bolesław V of Poland, the couple embraced a shared vow of chastity, seeking to live their royal calling with purity of heart. As princess and later as High Duchess of Poland, Kinga became known for works of mercy, personally caring for the poor and aiding those afflicted with leprosy. After her husband’s death in 1279, she renounced wealth and power, selling her possessions and giving the proceeds to the needy. Choosing hiddenness over honor, she entered the Poor Clares at Sandec (Stary Sącz), devoting her remaining years to prayer and humility until her death on July 24, 1292. She is venerated as patroness of Poland and Lithuania. Her feast day is July 24.