Blessed Vincent Kadłubek

Blessed Vincent Kadłubek, known as Master Vincent, was bishop of Krakow, the author of the “Polish Chronicle,” and in the last years of his life a Cistercian monk at Jędrzejów. The Roman Martyrology commemorates him on March 8, the day of his death; in Poland his memorial is kept on October 9.

He was born around the middle of the twelfth century, according to tradition in Karwów near Opatów. The year of his birth is unknown: dates from 1150 to 1160 are given. He studied in Krakow and then probably abroad. His learning and his knowledge of law point to Paris and Bologna, though the sources do not say so directly. In a document of 1189 he already bears the title of master, and so he came to be called Master Vincent.

He belonged to the circle of Duke Casimir II the Just, who most likely encouraged him to write down the history of his homeland. Later he was provost of the collegiate church in Sandomierz. After the death of Bishop Pełka in 1207, the Krakow chapter elected him bishop. Pope Innocent III confirmed the election in 1208, and Vincent received episcopal consecration from Henryk Kietlicz, archbishop of Gniezno.

As bishop he supported the reform of the Church in Poland led by Archbishop Kietlicz and took part in synods. In 1215 he attended the Fourth Lateran Council, and on his return he put its decrees into practice in his diocese. He supported monasteries, especially those of the Cistercians, and in 1210 he consecrated the abbey church at Jędrzejów. He spread devotion to Saint Florian. Tradition credits him with introducing in Poland the custom of keeping a sanctuary lamp burning before the Blessed Sacrament.

In 1218, with the consent of Pope Honorius III, he resigned his see and entered the Cistercians at Jędrzejów. According to tradition, he made the journey from Krakow on foot and barefoot. The reasons for this decision are not known; earlier authors saw in it an act of humility. Jan Długosz recorded that Vincent took the habit, made his religious vows, and for five years lived in the monastery austerely and devoutly.

The “Polish Chronicle,” in Latin Chronica Polonorum, has four books. The first three take the form of a conversation between Archbishop John of Gniezno and Bishop Matthew of Krakow. The work tells the history of Poland from its legendary beginnings to 1202 and was a source of knowledge for later chroniclers, Jan Długosz among them. Saint John Paul II recalled in Sandomierz that Master Vincent was the first Pole to write down the history of the nation.

He died at Jędrzejów on March 8, 1223, and was buried in the abbey church, before the high altar. In time a cult grew up at his tomb, and it continues to this day. Pope Clement XIII confirmed this cult on February 18, 1764, which is regarded as his beatification. The relics of the blessed rest at Jędrzejów. He is the patron of the dioceses of Sandomierz and Kielce.