Emily Podoska (1845-1889) entered the Norbertine convent of Krakow at age 25;
after three years of teaching, she directed the Zwierzniec Cloister school for
five years. Beginning in 1886 she became the novicemistress. In day-to-day life
she distinguished herself through conscientiousness and diligence, and in her
religious life through a deep love for the Eucharist and an unshakeable confidence
in the Mother of God. Thanks to her pedagogical capabilities Sr. Emily soon
won the trust of her students; in the convent she constantly strove to impart
her love for the Order to the novices. The servant of God kept up regular correspondence
to the Norbertine sisters of Bonlieu (France); therefore she is considered as
patroness of the unity between the monasteries of the Order.
She was very demanding of herself while showing herself full of kindness toward
her sisters. Emily zealously exerted herself on behalf of a reform of the monastic
life in the spirit of the Rule of Augustine and the Statutes. In the year 1889
she fell gravely ill on account of an inflammation of the lungs which later
developed into tuberculosis from which she soon died at the age of 43 years,
May 22, 1889.
The diocesan process for her beatification was opened in Krakow in 1993/94,
and in June of 1994 her remains were exhumed and transferred to the cloister
church. Since that time the process is pending in Rome where it is being closely
followed by the Relator Fr. Jerome Fokcinski, SJ. The Vice-Postulator is Sr.
Dorota Goldstrom, OPraem, of Krakow. We are now praying for a miracle through
her intercession!
