Saint Hyacinth

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For the 3rd century martyr, see Hyacinth and Protus.

Saint Hyacinth, Święty Jacek, Jacek Odrowąż (* ca. 1185 in Kamień Śląski (Groß Stein) near Opole, Upper Silesia - † August 15, 1257 in Kraków, Poland of natural causes) was educated in Paris and Bologna. A Doctor of Sacred Studies and a priest, he worked to reform convents in his native Poland. While in Rome, he witnessed a miracle performed by Saint Dominic, and became a Dominican. Brought the Dominican Order to Poland, then evangelized throughout Poland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Scotland, Russia, Turkey, and Greece.

During an attack on a monastery, Hyacinth managed to save a crucifix and statue of Mary, though the statue weighed far more than he could normally have lifted; the saint is usually shown holding these two items.

Saint Ceslaus was a close relative of Hyacinth, and may have been his brother. He was canonized on 17 April 1594 by Pope Clement VIII, and his memorial day is 17 August, but people in Poland celebrate it on 11 September. In 1686 pope Innocent XI named him a patron of Lithuania. In Spanish, he is known as San Jacinto. He is the patron saint of St. Hyacinth's Basilica, in Chicago, Illinois and of those in danger of drowning.

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