Saint Hedwig, also known as Hedwig of Anjou, Eduviges, Edvige, Jadwiga, Jadvyga, Hedvig, or Hedvigis, was born on February 18, 1374, in Buda, now known as Budapest, Hungary. She was the youngest daughter of King Louis I of Hungary and was the great-niece of King Casimir III of Poland. This familial connection would later lead her to become the Queen of Poland upon her father's death in 1382. Hedwig was a devout and pious young woman, known for her deep faith in Christ. At a young age, she was engaged to William, Duke of Austria, whom she deeply loved. However, she made the difficult decision to break off this relationship in order to fulfill her duty to her country by marrying Jagiello, the non-Christian Prince of Lithuania. Hedwig was only thirteen years old at the time of her marriage, and this union was primarily a political alliance aimed at unifying Poland and Lithuania. During her marriage, Hedwig offered her personal sacrifices and hardships to Christ. Her unwavering faith and exemplary life eventually led to the conversion of her husband, Jagiello, who embraced Christianity and was later known as King Ladislaus II of Poland. Their marriage played a crucial role in the unification of the kingdoms of Poland and Lithuania, a union that spanned over four hundred years. Saint Hedwig was known for her immense charity to all, but she had a particular focus on serving the sick and the poor. She dedicated herself to helping those in need and took active measures to revise the laws in order to provide better assistance and support to the underprivileged. On July 17, 1399, Saint Hedwig tragically passed away during childbirth in Kraków, Malopolskie, Poland. Miracles were reported to have occurred at her tomb, pointing to her sanctity even after death. Recognizing her holiness and the intercession attributed to her, she was beatified on May 31, 1979, and canonized on June 8, 1997, both by Pope John Paul II, who himself had deep devotion to her. The canonization miracle of Saint Hedwig involved the healing of Anna Romiszowska in Warsaw, Poland. Anna was suffering from a chronic right purulent otomastoiditis with labyrinthine hearing loss. Her family began a novena dedicated to Saint Hedwig, and on August 17, 1950, Anna's condition miraculously improved in the early hours of the day. Saint Hedwig is venerated as a patron saint of queens and Poland. Her life serves as an inspiration for many, showcasing the power of faith, selflessness, and service to those in need.
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