As reported by Vatican News, two asteroids have been named in honor of Polish saints: Sister Faustina Kowalska and Sister Urszula Ledóchowska.
Vatican News Informs
Vatican media explained today that the decision to name the two asteroids Faustina and Ledóchowska was announced in the latest bulletin of the International Astronomical Union (IAU).
Who made the discovery?
The discovery was made by Vatican astronomers: the American Jesuit priest Fr. Richard P. Boyle and his collaborator Kazimieras Černis from Lithuania.
Saint Faustina Kowalska (1905–1938) was a nun of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy and a mystic. Her Diary inspired the worldwide spread of devotion to Divine Mercy. She was canonized by John Paul II in 2000 and is venerated as the Apostle of Divine Mercy.
Saint Urszula Ledóchowska (1865–1939) founded the Congregation of the Sisters of the Agonizing Heart of Jesus. Its mission is to proclaim the love of the Heart of Jesus, especially through education and service to those in need and the oppressed.
The asteroids were discovered using a telescope installed on Mount Graham in Arizona, USA.