The Rhymed Office of Blessed Czesław

The liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church in Europe and Poland was enriched by the veneration of the saint and blessed who are commemorated during the liturgical year. These events were associated with new liturgical texts and chants. They were included in the forms of the Holy Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours. This practice can be observed on the example of Polish saints: Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr, Wojciech (Adalbert), Hedwig of Silesia. Along with their veneration and canonization, Mass prayers and breviary offices (often so-called “rhymed”) were created. The same was true of the little-known, now blessed, first Polish Dominican, Czesław (Ceslaus) Odrowąż (b. 1186/87, d. 15 July 1242). He founded monasteries in Prague and Wrocław. An interesting publication about him was published in Wrocław in 2012, Beatus Ceslaus Natione Polonus. The History of the Cult of Blessed Czesław by Wojciech Kucharski. It inspired me to get acquainted with the texts and liturgical chants concerning this Blessed, who is the Patron Saint of Silesia and Wrocław (Vratislavia).