Saint Hyacinth of Poland (1185–1257), also known as Jacek Odrowąż, was a Dominican friar and missionary who is celebrated as one of the great saints of Poland. His feast day is observed on August 17th.
Early Life and Vocation
Saint Hyacinth was born in 1185 into the noble Odrowąż family in the village of Kamień Śląski, located in present-day Poland. He was well-educated, studying theology and canon law in Kraków, Prague, and Bologna. His piety and intellectual prowess led him to a promising ecclesiastical career.
While in Rome with his uncle, Ivo Odrowąż, who was the Bishop of Kraków, Hyacinth met Saint Dominic, the founder of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans). Deeply inspired by Saint Dominic’s zeal for spreading the Gospel and combating heresy, Hyacinth joined the newly established order in 1220, becoming one of its first Polish members.
Missionary Work
After his ordination, Hyacinth returned to Poland, where he founded the first Dominican house in Kraków. His tireless missionary work took him throughout Poland and to many other regions in Eastern Europe, including Pomerania, Prussia, Lithuania, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and even as far as Kyiv in present-day Ukraine. His missions were marked by his preaching, the establishment of monasteries, and the conversion of many to the Catholic faith.
Miracles and Devotion
St. Hyacinth’s life was marked by numerous miracles, both during his lifetime and after his death. Among the most famous is the miracle of the floating statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. According to tradition, while fleeing an attack on the monastery in Kyiv, Hyacinth stopped to save the Blessed Sacrament from desecration. As he was about to leave, he heard the voice of the Virgin Mary asking him to take her statue as well. Despite the statue’s weight, Hyacinth was able to carry both the Eucharist and the statue across the Dnieper River, which miraculously parted to allow him passage.
Another well-known miracle is the multiplication of food. During a famine, Hyacinth prayed for the hungry, and through his intercession, the limited provisions miraculously multiplied, feeding a large number of people.
Legacy and Canonization
Saint Hyacinth died on August 15, 1257, the Feast of the Assumption, in Kraków. His relics are enshrined in the Dominican Church of St. Trinity in Kraków. His canonization process began shortly after his death due to the numerous miracles attributed to him. He was canonized by Pope Clement VIII on April 17, 1594.
St. Hyacinth is venerated as the “Apostle of the North” for his extensive missionary work in Eastern Europe. He is the patron saint of Poland, the archdiocese of Kraków, and those in danger of drowning.
Reflection
St. Hyacinth’s life exemplifies the Dominican zeal for preaching and missionary work. His deep devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and the Blessed Virgin Mary serves as a model for all the faithful. His feast day invites reflection on the importance of trusting in God’s providence and the power of faith to overcome obstacles in spreading the Gospel.