Saint Hyacinth was born to nobility and well educated, earning a Doctorate of Canon Law and Divinity. He received the Dominican habit from St. Dominic himself, who sent him to preach in Poland, Denmark, Prussia, Lithuania, Sweden, Norway, China, and Tibet. He established Churches, Convents, and Catholic communities. While saying Mass in Kiev, the Tartars were attacking the city. After he finished the Mass, he took the ciborium containing the Eucharist and a beloved statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary and fled, leading the people to the deep river Dnieper. They crossed with dry feet, infuriating the pursuing Tartars who could not follow them. It’s said that Hyacinth’s footprints remained on the water and could be seen for centuries afterward. He died on the feast of the Assumption worn out from his tireless preaching.
