St. Hyacinth, a contemporary to the great Saint Dominic (who received the Most Holy Rosary from Our Blessed Mother) was one of the first in the newly established Dominican order to become a missionary. His work took him into many countries, particularly in Russia, Poland, and the northeast of Europe.

He had a special devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, and also to the Blessed Virgin. He never undertook anything before offering his work to God and begging the assistance of His Blessed Mother. She appeared to him once, on the eve of the feast of her Assumption, saying to him: “Be assured, my son, that you shall receive everything you ask from Our Lord Jesus."

This indeed was the case, for God aided him in his pious endeavors by giving him the power to work miracles; and so great was their number that he might well be called the wonder-worker of his age.

During St. Hyacinth’s life, one of the most violent threats to the faith and lives of his fellow Catholics was the barbaric race of the Tartars. These people were savagely anti-Catholic, fiercely attacking many a Catholic village. During their attack, they made a point of raiding and pillaging the Churches - desecrating and destroying everything holy, most especially Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.

On one occasion, as St. Hyacinth was in the Russian city of Kiev, the sudden cry of alarm rang out through the town. The Tartars were coming, and attack was imminent. Hyacinth was at that moment celebrating Holy Mass in the church and convent he had established there. Calmly, he finished the Holy Sacrifice; then, still dressed in his priestly robes, the Saint took hold of the Ciborium containing the Blessed Sacrament. Then, with words of courage and faith, he bade his priests and friends to hurry.

“Follow me!” St. Hyacinth shouted. “And without fear!”

With the Blessed Sacrament safely in his hands, he hastened towards the church door. On his way he passed a large alabaster statue of the Blessed Virgin, before which he had often prayed. The horrid sounds of the attack which swirled all about him were suddenly broken by the distinct and beautiful voice of a young Woman, who called after him:

“My son Hyacinth, will you leave me here to the mercy of my enemies?”

Hyacinth quickly stopped and turned towards the large statue. Looking up into the eyes of the statue, his own eyes began to fill with tears.

“How can I carry you, my Mother?” he asked in all simplicity, “the weight is too heavy."

“Only try,” came the gentle and reaffirming response. “My Son will assist you to carry Me without difficulty."

With tears streaming from eyes, the holy man confidently reached for the heavy statue. To his amazed relief, he found it so light that he could carry it easily with one arm.

And so, carrying Our Blessed Lord in one hand and His Mother’s statue in the other, St. Hyacinth and his companions passed through the enemy unmolested to the gates of the city. Not finding any soldiers there they passed on, thanking God for their miraculous escape.

But there was yet one more miracle in store for them, for when they reached the river, they discovered that there was no bridge, nor any boat to convey them across. While fear may have crept into the hearts of his companions at this unexpected obstacle, the Saint - trusting in the power of Him whom he carried in his right hand, and in the intercession of Her whom he held in his left - fearlessly stepped upon the water, and crossed it with dry feet. His companions, taking courage in his example, followed their holy leader across the great river.

And thus it was that they all were saved and reached the city of Cracow in safety.