Yolanda of Poland

For the Aragonese queen, see Violant of Hungary.
Blessed Yolanda
Born 1235
Esztergom
Died 1298
Gniezno
Venerated in Roman Catholic Church
Beatified 1827 (cultus confirmed)
Feast 11 and 12 June
Yolanda of Poland
Spouse Bolesław the Pious
Issue Elisabeth, Duchess of Legnica
Hedwig, Queen consort of Poland
Anna of Kalisz
House Árpád
Father Béla IV of Hungary
Mother Maria Laskarina

Blessed Yolanda of Poland (also known as Helen; 1235 – 11 June 1298) was the daughter of King Béla IV of Hungary and Maria Laskarina. She was the sister of Saint Margaret of Hungary and Saint Kinga (Cunegunda). One of her paternal aunts was the great Franciscan saint, Elizabeth of Hungary.

Life

As a young girl, Yolanda 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 Bolesław the Pious, which she did in 1257. They had three daughters:

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

Veneration

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

Ancestry

References

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