In the auditorium of the Collegium Novum of the Jagiellonian University, where the portrait of the restorer of the University of Kraków - Queen Jadwiga of Anjou, a saint of the Catholic Church, is placed in the central place, participants of an international scientific conference devoted to the figure of the monarch and the influence she had on the development of culture and higher education in Poland met. The pretext for organizing it was the 650th anniversary of the birth of the queen.
photo: Jagiellonian University
- Today's academic session is exceptional, as it falls in a year in which we celebrate at least three important dates related to the life and achievements of the benefactress of our university, Queen Jadwiga. First of all, it is the 650th anniversary of her birth, but also the 640th anniversary of her arrival in Krakow and coronation as King of Poland, and the 625th anniversary of her death - noted the Rector of the Jagiellonian University, Prof. Jacek Popiel, who opened the conference. He also emphasized that the person of Queen Jadwiga connects two universities in particular - the Jagiellonian University and the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Krakow, which are co-organizers of the event, but also other higher education institutions in Krakow, due to the fact that all other universities grew out of the Krakow university.
Prof. Jacek Popiel recalled several important facts about Queen Jadwiga. Even during her life, she was surrounded by an aura of sanctity. It was fueled by the preacher, confessor of the queen, lawyer and first rector of the renovated University of Krakow - Stanisław of Skalbmierz. In his funeral speech, he declared the queen a saint. However, she was officially raised to the altars only in 1997 by Pope John Paul II, during a mass celebrated on the Krakow Błonia meadows.
- Queen Jadwiga succeeded in a task that even Casimir the Great, the founder of our university, could not manage. She managed to convince Pope Boniface IX to grant the university in Krakow papal approval to establish a theological faculty there. The head of the church not only granted such approval in his bull of 11th of January 1397, but also decided that all those obtaining the degree of bachelor, licentiate or doctor of theology at the Krakow general college would receive privileges, freedoms and rights previously reserved exclusively for theology students of the University of Paris - emphasized the rector of the Jagiellonian University.
However, the establishment of the theological faculty exposed the material weakness of the Krakow university. The Queen therefore decided to leave her valuables and jewels in her will to the university.
- This generous royal donation, which has inspired gratitude from successive generations of students and luminaries, has opened a new chapter in the history of the university. We will always remember these services of Queen Jadwiga - said Prof. Jacek Popiel.
- Today we express our gratitude to Our Lady of Wawel for our foundations - said Rev. Prof. Robert Tyrała, Rector of the UPJPII, presenting the 627-year history of his university from the issuance of the papal bull in 1397, through the establishment of the Pontifical Academy of Theology in Kraków on 8th of December 1981 by John Paul II, to 2009, when Pope Benedict XVI established the Pontifical University of John Paul II. He stated that only from this perspective can one realize what a wise and far-sighted woman Queen Jadwiga of Anjou was, who is a pillar of not only the Kraków, but also the Polish academic community.
He also quoted the words of John Paul II spoken in the Collegiate Church of St. Anne in Kraków on 8th of June 1997, during a meeting with the Polish academic community: Every university is called to serve the truth, because man crosses the boundaries of individual disciplines of knowledge, so as to direct them towards a new truth and the ultimate fulfillment of his humanity.
He added that the Pope's words contained a call for every scientist to fulfill the function of a critical conscience towards everything that threatens humanity or diminishes it. John Paul II also emphasized ethical sensitivity, because thanks to moral sensitivity, the bond between truth and goodness, which is very important for science, is maintained.
During the three sessions, the conference participants will listen to speeches that will recall the history of the Anjou family, the biography of the queen, but will also address topics related to the research currently being conducted by historians on the posthumous reception of the queen's achievements.
The Rector of the UPJPII, Rev. Prof. Robert Tyrała, thanked Prof. Jacek Popiel in a special way on behalf of the university he represents, not only for co-organizing the conference, but also for the last four years of a common, wise and creative path and leading the Krakow academic community. He added a souvenir to the wishes - a painting depicting the Długosz House, where the seat of the UPJPII authorities is located on Kanonicza Street.
source: Jagiellonian University
Comments