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Dobrowolska, Sr. Hedwige
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W XYZ ALL NAMES
D.
Dobrowolska, Sr. Hedwige
Sr. Hedwige Dobrowolska
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BIOGRAPHY
Bronisława Dubrowolska ( later Sister Hedwidge de Jesus) was born in 1882 in Kolińce near Stanisławów, Poland. She studied in the Immaculate Virgin Mary/Immaculate Sisters in Jazłowiec between 1893 and 1901. When she finished her education, she secretly went to Paris (contrary to the will of her parents) to enter the Dominican monastery/Missionaries to fulfill her childhood dream of helping lepers. However, a Prior at the Monastery sent her back to Poland, where she took up work as a governess at the Wielowiejski State in Lubcza near Jędrzejów. She was hired as a governess thanks to Felicja Wielowieyska, a nun of the Immaculate Virgin from Jazłowiec, whose brother Stefan Wielowieyski - as she wrote in her letters to the family - tragically lost his wife and was left to raise six minor children. She later took up another position as governess for the Czartoryski Prince in Pełkinia, where her sister Ludwika had previously worked. The Prince's family wished that a person from the Dobrowolski family would take care of their children's further education. |
By 1909, a more mature Bronisława returned to France, this time with the consent of her parents and the approval of Archbishop Józef Teodorowicz. The trip was facilitated by Princess Jadwiga Czartoryska, who proposed that Bronisława would go with her to Paris as an escort. Sadly, World War I began and Bronisława, being an Austrian subject, is deported to Lucerne, Switzerland and later to Holland, where she stays in the contemplative Dominican monastery in Rijkolt for two years.
Still intent on realising her dream of helping lepers, Bronislawa plans a return to the monastery in Etrepagny near Les Andelys. The return to Etrepagny was due to the Dutch queen Wilhelmina, who, enjoying the privilege of crowned heads, visited the monastery. The monarch emphasized the young nun, her fervent faith in God and Poland regaining independence. Talking with the queen, Bronisława gained her favor for the Polish cause. until 1909 she was a teacher; 1909 she joined the group in Etrépagny near Les Andelys; during World War I she was interned in Switzerland and the Netherlands with contemplative Dominicans.
She returned to Etrepagny with the help of Dutch queen Wilhelmina, who, enjoying the privilege of the crown, visited the monastery. The monarch admired the young nun, her fervent faith in God, and her desire to see Poland regain its independence. Talking with the queen, Bronisława gained her favor for the Polish cause.
In December 1919, after the end of World War I, she left for Trinidad to help the lepers, which was her desire and calling since childhood. Bronisława, as a sister of Jadwiga from Jesus (Hedwige of Jesus), spent her first Christmas Eve in the leprosory. In a letter to his mother she wrote: "Mummy sees that God gave me my first soul for Christmas here - and it is the soul of a Pole - that I would understand that he serves his country best only where his will puts us."
She worked among lepers until 1950, also managing the lepers' shelter on the island of Chacachacare off the coast of Venezuela. She maintained contacts with Polish mission centers and published letters and stories in "Catholic Missions" among others . After returning to France in 1954, she received the Order of the British Empire - the equivalent of the Knight's Cross of the Legion of Honor - for her work for lepers. A solemn ceremony took place in Angeville. She died in the monastery of the Holy Rosary in Chaudron en Mauges in 1967.
Still intent on realising her dream of helping lepers, Bronislawa plans a return to the monastery in Etrepagny near Les Andelys. The return to Etrepagny was due to the Dutch queen Wilhelmina, who, enjoying the privilege of crowned heads, visited the monastery. The monarch emphasized the young nun, her fervent faith in God and Poland regaining independence. Talking with the queen, Bronisława gained her favor for the Polish cause. until 1909 she was a teacher; 1909 she joined the group in Etrépagny near Les Andelys; during World War I she was interned in Switzerland and the Netherlands with contemplative Dominicans.
She returned to Etrepagny with the help of Dutch queen Wilhelmina, who, enjoying the privilege of the crown, visited the monastery. The monarch admired the young nun, her fervent faith in God, and her desire to see Poland regain its independence. Talking with the queen, Bronisława gained her favor for the Polish cause.
In December 1919, after the end of World War I, she left for Trinidad to help the lepers, which was her desire and calling since childhood. Bronisława, as a sister of Jadwiga from Jesus (Hedwige of Jesus), spent her first Christmas Eve in the leprosory. In a letter to his mother she wrote: "Mummy sees that God gave me my first soul for Christmas here - and it is the soul of a Pole - that I would understand that he serves his country best only where his will puts us."
She worked among lepers until 1950, also managing the lepers' shelter on the island of Chacachacare off the coast of Venezuela. She maintained contacts with Polish mission centers and published letters and stories in "Catholic Missions" among others . After returning to France in 1954, she received the Order of the British Empire - the equivalent of the Knight's Cross of the Legion of Honor - for her work for lepers. A solemn ceremony took place in Angeville. She died in the monastery of the Holy Rosary in Chaudron en Mauges in 1967.
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PHOTOGRAPHS
The Dubrowolska Sisters: Left to right: Ludwika, Bronislawa (Sr. Hedwige), and Maria
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