LADISLAO di GIELNIÓW, blessed. — Born at Gielniów (diocese of Gniezno, in Poland) around 1440, he died as guardian of the convent at Warsaw on 4 May 1505. He completed his studies at Kraków and, while still young, became a Franciscan. To his apostolic activity as a preacher and provincial superior he added a holy life, also favored by supernatural gifts. Particularly devoted to Mary, he instituted a special form of the rosary. He spread the Observance in Poland and sent missions to Lithuania. His cult was confirmed on 11 February 1750. Feast day: 4 May.
BIBL.: Acta SS. Mail, I, Paris 1865, pp. 565–620; Waddine, Annales, XV, p. 349 agg.; P. G. Bogdolski, Die Franz-Osservanten in Polen, I, Kraków 1933, see index. Alberto Chinato