Jolenta of Poland

Jolenta (Jolanta) of Poland (also known as Blessed Yolande (Yolanda) of Poland and Blessed Helen of Hungary (or of Poland); Polish: Bł. Jolenta) (1235–1298) was the daughter of Béla IV of Hungary and Maria Laskarina. She was the sister of Saint Margaret of Hungary and Saint Kinga (Cunegunda). One of her father's sisters was the great Franciscan saint, Elizabeth of Hungary.

Life

As a young girl, Jolenta was sent to Poland, to be tutored under the supervision of her sister, Kinga, who was married to the Duke of Poland. There, she was encouraged to marry Boleslaus of Greater Poland, which she did in 1257. They had three daughters:

• Elisabeth of Kalisz (1263 – 28 September 1304). Married Henry V, Duke of Legnica
• Hedwig of Kalisz (1266 – 10 December 1339). Married Władysław I the Elbow-high, King of Poland
• Anna of Kalisz (born 1278, date of death unknown). A nun in Gniezno

During the time of her marriage, she was noted for her great services to the poor and needy of the country, as well as being a major benefactor of the monasteries, friaries and hospitals connected to them. Her husband gave her so much support in her charities, that he earned the nickname, "the Pious." She was widowed in 1279.

Religious work

Following Boleslaus' death, Jolenta and Kinga, along with one of Jolenta's daughters, retired to the Poor Clare monastery Kinga had founded in Sandez. Forced to relocate due to armed conflict in the region, Jolenta founded a new monastery in Gniezno. She was persuaded to become Abbess of the community shortly before her death.

Veneration

She has been declared as a candidate for sainthood. Her sisters, Kinga and Margaret, have already been canonized.

Ancestry

External links

• Helen of Poland
• Her listing along with her siblings in "Medieval lands" by Charles Cawley. The project "involves extracting and analysing detailed information from primary sources, including contemporary chronicles, cartularies, necrologies and testaments."