Publiczna i prywatna religijność królowej Marii Kazimiery

Public and Private Religiosity and Piety of the Queen Marie Casimire d’Arquien SobieskaIn the early modern period, queens were obliged to participate in religious ceremonies and outwardly display their piety through charity. Marie Casimire de la Grange d’Arquien Sobieska met these duties when she was consort of the King John III Sobieski, and later, as a widow residing in Rome. Yet, her prayers were not limited to outward gestures of religiosity at official ceremonies. From her numerous letters, we can learn about her personal piety. In her letters written to Jakub, her eldest son, and his wife, the queen mother often refers to God’s Providence, and expresses her deep devotion and faith in God’s grace and protection. For Queen Marie Casimire, God was the source of comfort in difficult moments. While her outward religiosity is a reflection of the age in which she lived, the queen’s personal faith developed over time and appears to have been deep and sincere.