“Hagiological Patronage” – a Theological Reflection on the Traces of Memory of Blessed Dorothy of Mątowy (in Poland)
“Hagiological Patronage” – a Theological Reflection on the Traces of Memory of Blessed Dorothy of Mątowy (in Poland)

Summary/Abstract: The article presents the issue of holiness shown in the patronage of a medieval mystic and recluse living in Prussia (today’s northern Poland). The study is included in the current reflection on the teaching of Francis on the universal call to holiness. The aim of the undertaken research is to define the relevance of the model of holiness presented by Blessed Dorota of Mątowy (1347–1394). The arguments are based on two sets of information: a map of Dorota’s Polish places of worship and a work describing her life by Jan of Kwidzyn. Most signs of the cult of the recluse can be found in the following towns: Mątowy Wielkie, Kwidzyn, Elbląg, Gdańsk, Dorotowo, Koszalin. There are churches dedicated to Bl. Dorothy, and her images. In the liturgical calendar, the mystic is mentioned in the Archdiocese of Warmia and Gdańsk as well as in the Diocese of Elbląg and Koszalin-Kołobrzeg. The fame of her holiness developed immediately after her death. The beatification process was initiated several times and the cult was approved in 1976. The charism of Dorota is characterized by the love of God, penance, pilgrimage and steadfastness in faith. Spirituality developed according to this model and is close to the needs of Catholics living in dioceses where she is remembered. It is legitimate for these local churches to promote the Dorothean model of piety as appropriate to correlate the spiritual needs of contemporary Christians with the universal call to holiness.

• Details
• Contents