While visiting the Wawel Cathedral today, you can see the sarcophagus, that is, the tomb of Queen Jadwiga. People often stop by him, they pray and lay flowers. Who was this youngest daughter of the Hungarian king, if honor of her has survived to the present day ?
Her merits were recognized immediately after her death in the funeral speech of Fr.. Stanisław from Skalbierz, the queen's trusted advisor and the first rector of the Krakow Academy. In the Wawel Cathedral on 17. VII. 1399 r. he said yes : "We have seen, how rational she was in the council, prudent in matters, how diligently she tried to keep it all, what belonged to the Polish Crown… We have seen, with what piety she welcomed the poor, how willingly she gave everyone access to herself, how she did not insult anyone, how she didn't let anyone hurt anyone how she couldn't be angry ". Jadwiga was the daughter of the Hungarian king Ludwik, who became the king of Poland. After his death, Jadwiga received the crown. She loved her new homeland with all her heart. She became the wife of the prince of Lithuania, Władysław Jagiełło. This marriage became a direct occasion for Lithuanians to adopt the Christian faith, and also to the union, that is, until the union of Lithuania and Poland under the scepter of one king.
Queen Jadwiga first of all tried to expand her knowledge and culture. In the Middle Ages, the Church was primarily concerned with education and education. Parish schools were established at parishes, and cathedral schools at the cathedrals. In the latter, the level of education was higher. At that time, colleges called universities were established. Such items were taught there, like philosophy, right, medicine, and in others also theology. Permission to open the university was granted by the pope and the ruler. Królowa Jadwiga is one of the co-founders of the University of Krakow, which already existed before, but he lacked a theological faculty. Thanks to her efforts, Pope Boniface IX agreed to the opening of this department. It was a great achievement at that time.
On the eve of her death, Jadwiga saved all her valuables for the renovation of the university and its development.
Queen Jadwiga strove for holiness in all matters of everyday life. Thanks to her, many hospitals were established, churches, for which she offered vestments and liturgical vessels. She looked after monasteries and the poor. She rushed to help the unfortunate. Throughout the proceedings, she showed evidence of profound religiosity, and after premature death (she died having 26 years) universally recognized as a saint.
Her name is forever in the history of our nation. St.. Wyspiański :
"You will be a pearl for this Poland,
From the bottom of the waters shining brightly…
Since everyone will die out today,
Yet this nation in pity for you
About these tears of your child - he will not forget "
Blessed Queen Jadwiga
