June 11 Blessed Yolanda of Hungary (Yolanda of Poland, Jolanta, Jolán, Helen, Helen of Hungary, Helena, Iolanda, Iolantha, Joheleth, Jolanda, Jolanta, Jolenta) Princess, Widow, Mother, Nun and Abbess

June 11 Blessed Yolanda of Hungary (Yolanda of Poland, Jolanta, Jolán, Helen, Helen of Hungary, Helena, Iolanda, Iolantha, Joheleth, Jolanda, Jolanta, Jolenta) Princess, Widow, Mother, Nun and Abbess of the Poor Clares, apostle of the poor, the needy and the sick.
1235 - 1298
Patronage: Gniezno, Poland, archdiocese of.
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Jolenta was the daughter of King Béla IV of Hungary and Maria Laskarina, the daughter of the Greek emperor of Constantinople. She was the sister of Saint Margaret of Hungary and Saint Kinga (Cunegund) of Poland. One of her paternal aunts was the Franciscan Saint Elizabeth of Hungary. Jolenta was raised by her elder sister Blessed Cunegund (Kinga), wife of Boleslaus V of Poland.
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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. She and her husband built hospitals, convents, and churches. Together they did good and did what was pleasing to God. Her husband gave her so much support in her charities that he earned the nickname “the Pious. 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.
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She was widowed in 1279. Following Boleslaus’ death, Yolanda and Kinga, along with one of Jolenta’s daughters, Anna, retired to the Poor Clare Monastery that Kinga had founded in Sandez. and here she took the name Helen. 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 of nuns shortly before her death.
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Yolanda was Beatified on 26 September 1827 by Pope Leo XII (cultus confirmed).
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Eternal Father, I wish to honor Blessed Yolanda of Hungary, and I give Thee thanks for all the graces Thou hast bestowed upon her. I ask Thee to please increase grace in my soul through the merits of this saint, and I commit the end of my life to her by this special prayer, so that by virtue of Thy goodness and promise, Blessed Yolanda of Hungary might be my advocate and provide whatever is needed at that hour. Amen.