Princess Hedwig was born in 1374, the youngest daughter of the king of Hungary, and when she was only one year old her father had arranged for her to be married to the Duke of Austria. When she was eight her father died and she was coronated as his heir. For political reasons, the nobles of Poland set aside the arranged betrothal and instead arranged for her to be married to the pagan Duke of Lithuania on one condition: that he convert to Christianity. He did, and he also agreed to promote the faith to his subjects. Queen Hedwig undertook this task with great enthusiasm by promoting baptism, as well as establishing perpetual psalm-singing and Eucharistic adoration in the cathedral. She died at the age of only 25 after childbirth.
CHALLENGE
St. Hedwig, Queen of Poland helped establish a diocese in Vilnius and financed a scholarship for seminarians. Many Catholic dioceses in poor areas struggle to pay for the education of seminarians. Remember: no priests, no Jesus! Today, help fund scholarships for seminarians by making a donation at: www.catholicextension.org/seminarian-scholarships
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Want to learn more about the Order of Mercy, also known as the Mercedarians? Mercy, Ransom, Redemption is a compilation of short stories about Mercedarian saints, blesseds, brothers, priests, and third order members of the Order.
