August 17: Memorial of St. Hyacinth of Poland, Confessor Providence led Hyacinth, as if by chance, to Rome, where he met and loved Saint Dominic. What an incomparable grace to encounter a saint! On receiving the habit from the holy Patriarch, Hyacinth received his spirit, and in six months became one of the firmest supports of the rising Order. Who could recount his work, his journeys, his miracles and the conversions he worked among the infidels? His steps might be traced by counting the convents and churches he left where he passed; the first he erected was dedicated to the Most Holy Trinity. Cracow, Prague, Moravia, Prussia, Pomerania, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Gothland, Scotland. Livonia, Russia, Constantinople, Thibet, Northern China, received each in turn the benefits of his apostolate. How wonderful it was to see him cross great rivers dry-shod, now to overthrow idols, at another time to save the Blessed Sacrament with one hand, and the statue of Mary with another! How dear he m...