Zofia Szydłowiecka

Who was Zofia Szydłowiecka?

Zofia Szydłowiecka was a Polish-Lithuanian noble lady.

Daughter of Court and Great Chancellor Krzysztof Szydłowiecki and Zofia z Targowiska. She married Hetman Jan Amor Tarnowski on May 8, 1530.

The marriage came about following her proposal to him due to his prevarication. The union of these two heralded an era of unsurpassed prosperity for the people of Southern Poland. On the anniversary of this proposal it is believed that any woman who proposes to her suitor will achieve the same happy and prosperous life for herself and husband that Zofia and Jan enjoyed. A refusal on his part however, is said to bring about a life of loneliness and pain for the pair.

Zofia was beatified in 1612 and achieved Sainthood in 1676. Saint Zofia's day is 18 November and she is known as the patron saint of love and fortitude.