Kinga of Poland

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Saint Kinga of Poland

Born	March 5, 1224
Died	July 24, 1292
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church
Beatified	June 11, 1690 by Pope Alexander VIII
Canonized	June 16, 1999 by Pope John Paul II
Feast	July 24
Attributes	depicted as an abbess; crown
Patronage	Poland, Lithuania
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Saint Kinga of Poland (also known as Cunegunda, Kunigunda, Kunegunda, Cunegundes, Kioga, Zinga; Polish: Święta Kinga) (March 5, 1224 – July 24, 1292) is a saint in the Roman Catholic Church and patroness of Poland and Lithuania.

She was the daughter of King Béla IV of Hungary and Maria Laskarina. She was a niece of St. Elizabeth of Hungary and great-niece of Saint Hedwig. Kinga's sisters were Saint Margaret of Hungary and Jolenta of Poland (Yolanda, Helen).

She reluctantly married Bolesław V the Chaste. Kinga later became princess when her husband ascended the throne as Prince of Cracov. Despite the marriage, the devout couple took up a vow of chastity. During her reign Kinga got involved in charitable works such as visiting the poor and helping the lepers. When her husband died in 1279, she sold all her material possessions and gave the money to the poor. She soon did not want any part in governing the kingdom which was left to her and decided to join the Poor Clares monastery at Sandeck. She would spend the rest of her life in contemplative prayer and did not allow anyone to refer to her past role as queen of Poland. She died on July 24, 1292.