PEREGRINUS CRACOVIENSIS Zeszyt 10, 2000 ISSN 1425−1922 Stanisław Dziedzic The Cradle of Sainthood ow many universities can be found in Europe or even in the world, of which it can be said that they have been the cradles of saints, as is the case Hwith the Jagiellonian University? In fact it has been, and still is, the host of saints, blessed and those who died with a reputation of holiness are still growing by both those who died in the distant and not−so−distant past. During the mass in which the canonization was declared of Queen Jadwiga, the great founder and benefactor of the Cracow University, Pope John Paul II expressed this statement while highlighting and praising the queen’s contribution to his former Alma Mater. “Should not Cracow”, said the Pope, “along with all of Poland, be grateful for the works of Jadwiga that have blossomed so magnificently in the lives of so many sacred students and professors? Today, these great men of God of all generations, from John Kanty and Stanisław Kazimierczyk to the blessed Józef Sebastian Pelczar and God’s Servant Józef Bilczewski, appear before us to join in our hymn of the thanksgiving to God for the fact that, owing to the generous works of Queen Jadwiga this city has become the cradle of sainthood.”1 The ceremony in which Jadwiga was declared saint, held on Cracow’s Błonia on June 8, 1997, coincided with the 600th anniversary of the Faculty of Theology which was established due to the efforts of Jadwiga and her husband Jagiełło within the Studium Generale. A few hours after the ceremony, a unique, symbolic event took place at the University Church of St. Ann: John Paul II met with the academic community associated with the Jagiellonian University, the Papal Academy of The− ology, which continues the traditions of the Cracow Faculty of Theology, and the Rectors of all Polish autonomous institutions of higher education. The Pope stres− sed that this expression of unity and the need “to be rooted in all history of Polish science,” that the Jagiellonian foundation had brought about was an important message for promoting the identity of the Polish academic community and identify− ing its duties for the nation. 20 Stanisław Dziedzic “Together we return to the sources from which six hundred years ago the Jagiellonian University and its Faculty of Theology were born. Together we wish to take up once again the great spiritual heritage of this University for the history of our nation and the history of Europe, so this precious endowment could be transferred unharmed in the third Millenium to the next generation of Poles (...) Jadwiga, the sacred founder of the University, knew with the wisdom of a saint that a University, as a community of people pursuing the truth, is indispensable for the life of the nation and the life of the Church (...) The work of Jadwiga bore fruit in another dimension, as well as the history of Cracow in the 15th century is a history of saints closely associated with the Jagiellonian University.”2 The great veneration for and attachment of the Polish nation to the saintly Queen, was transformed into a religious cult soon after her death. Six hundred years passed when the Church issued an official decision declaring her a saint. For a long time, the intrigues of the Teutonic Knights and the Habsburgs delayed the process of canonization of the queen who died with a reputation of holiness. Nine sermons by University professors from the 15th century were devoted to the saintly monarch. The university that owes so much to Jadwiga, each year celebrates the anni− versary of her death on July 17. These events contribute to the profound and vivid propagation of the cult of the Queen. On the motion of the Bishop of Cracow, Zbigniew Oleśnicki, the Chancellor of the University, Archbishop Wojciech Jastrzę− biec established a special committee to record and investigate the miracles attribu− ted to her intervention (1426). The committee consisted of well−known representa− tives of Cracow’s academic community, including Paweł Włodkowic, Stanisław of Skalbmierz and Paweł of Zatok. In his sermon given during a solemn mass which was celebrated on the 27th anniversary of the death of Queen Jadwiga, Franciszek of Brzeg stated poetically: “Your Majesty the Queen, You are the pride of Cracow, of Poland, of the whole nation, As you were brave and your heart full of courage As you had loved noble things, Therefore the hand of the Lord will give you strength And you shall be blessed for centuries.”3 The locality of the Queen’s special cult which has continued incessantly since her death is Wawel Cathedral where the mortal remains of Jadwiga are buried. The location of her burial place was also special – the Cathedral chancel, on the left of the main altar where coronations of Polish kings were celebrated. Here pious pil− The Cradle of Sainthood 21 Fig. 1. Plan of Cracow (fragment) 212121212121 22 Stanisław Dziedzic The portrait of Queen Jadwiga, by Antoni Piotrowski (1900), is on the front wall of the Ceremonial Chamber in Collegium Novum (Arch. Jagiellonian University Museum). The Cradle of Sainthood 23 Effigy on the tomb of Queen Jadwiga (by Antoni Madeyski), Wawel Catherdal (drawing by Danuta Boguszew- ska-Chlebowska) (Arch. Stanisaw Dziedzic). grims used to light candles, hang votive offerings and pray for her canonization. In the 17th century, the grave of the Queen was covered with inscribed plaques noting that it was the final resting place of the saintly monarch. In 1949, efforts for her beatification were resumed. Her grave was opened for the second time (the first was in 1887) and the mortal remains of Jadwiga were transferred to a marble sarcophagus which had been commissioned in 1902 by Karol Lanckoroński. This sepulchral monument of exceptional beauty was done in Carrara marble by the outstanding painter Antoni Madeyski, who also completed a beautiful statue of her in alabaster. Zofia Łuszczkiewiczówna was the model for this statue. The sarcophagus of Queen Jadwiga was modeled from the 15th−century sepulchral monument of Ilaria dela Caretto at the cathedral in Lucca, Italy. The grave of the Queen who rested there until 1987, was the focus of abun− dant reverence from Cracovians and the entire nation. Great promoters of raising of the Queen to the altars were the metropolitan archbishops of Cracow – Cardi− nals Adam Sapieha, Karol Wojtyła and Franciszek Macharski. During each of the pilgrimages to his home country, John Paul II visited the grave of Jadwiga. On June 8, 1979, during his first pilgrimage to Poland, he was the first to dedicate the Holy 232323232323 24 Stanisław Dziedzic The rational (rationale) donated by Queen Jadwiga to Bishops of Cracow, 1384-1386, Wawel Cathedral Treasury. The privilege to wear a rational is granted only four ordinary bishops of dioceses, including Archbishop of Cracow. Photos: Karol Wojty³a, the then Bishop Metropolitan of Cracow wearing the rational for the first time (March 8, 1964) and his successor Cardinal Macharski (private collection of Stanis³aw Dziedzic) Mass to Blessed Queen Jadwiga at Wawel Cathedral. On June 10, 1987, he raised the relics of the blessed queen to the altar. The relics were placed in a mensa on the altar of the Black Crucifix at Wawel. The famous crucifix dating from the second half of the 14th century, has al− ways been venerated by great religious cult. Against the background of a silver plate, placed in a late−Baroque altar of black marble designed by Francesco Placidi and for several centuries veiled behind a transparent metal net, this crucifix has been among the greatest sacred objects in Poland’s most honored shrine. For cen− turies, the Black Crucifix was known as “the cross of Queen Jadwiga.” It is believed that the saintly queen prayed at that crucifix when she had to make crucial decisions and that at the foot of Christ Crucified she considered things important to the nation, the Church, the State and to herself. “According to tradition,” writes Michał Rożek, “the Saviour has spoken from this cross to the young Queen Jadwiga with these words ‘The request in your prayer will be fulfilled.’ This is likely where the idea of Christianization of Lithuania was conceived.”4 The Cradle of Sainthood 25 Visitors to Wawel Cathedral pray constantly at the sarcophagus of Queen Jadwiga, as they do at her reliquary at the mensa of the Black Crucifix. Near the sarcophagus, in an ornamented showcase, are the Queen’s sepulchral insignia – her scepter and royal apple in lime wood, probably once gilt... Jadwiga bequeathed all her jewelry to the University, the poor and to religious foundations. There are many such places in Wawel Cathedral. They are associated with those who were raised to the altars, are still awaiting the conclusion of beatification processes, died with a reputation of holiness, have been objects of a religious cult, including those whose popularity has faded away with time, but who were in one way or another connected with the Cracow University – monarchs, bishops, mem− bers of the Cathedral chapter, professors, university graduates and others. When walking down Wawel Hill towards main buildings of the University one should take the longer route along Kanonicza Street which is justly thought of as the most beautiful street of old Cracow. Historic townhouses in the Gothic, Rena− issance, Baroque and Neo−classical styles were remodelled many times. Originally most were inhabited by the canons of Cathedral Chapter. They were mansions and palaces, not simple townhouses, richly furnished, often with grand interiors and fine courtyards. The tenants of these buildings were replaced and their functions have changed, but the street has lost nothing of its picturesque charms.