2015
The #Nun Who Took on Billy the Kid and the Wild West - True Story to SHARE
When she was four years old, she and her family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. Throughout her early years she knew she wanted to become a nun and told her father that as soon as she was old enough she would like to join the Sisters of Charity. At age sixteen she entered the novitiate, becoming Sister Blandina. Her sister Maria Maddelena refused several marriage proposals and decided to follow in the footsteps of her younger sister, and became Sister Justina. She was assigned to teach in Steubenville and Dayton, Ohio for a short time when in 1872 she received word from the Motherhouse that she was to proceed to Trinidad for missionary work. Sister Blandina was thrilled at this opportunity to work somewhere, she thought, on an island off the coast of Venezuela or near Cuba somewhere.
But when Sister Blandina boarded the train she realized that the Trinidad to which she was going was out in the western part of the United States in Colorado and not a tropical island. She traveled alone and reached her destination on December 9, 1872. She was only twenty-two years old. What she found when she got to Trinidad was a town that was often frequented by outlaws. Lynching was a common practice, and law was often determined not by the sheriff but by the mob. In one such instance, a man had shot another man, fatally wounding him. The mob had gathered around the house of the wounded man and as soon as he died, they were planning on going to the jailhouse where the man who shot him was being kept, drag him from the cell, and lynch him. The prisoner's son was the father of one of Sister Blandina's students. He ran up to her and told her what was going to happen. She was appalled and decided to do something about it. She went to the bed of the wounded man and asked him if he would forgive the man who shot him and let the law, rather than the mob, decide what punishment he should receive. He agreed. Sister Blandina told the sheriff that she would like to have the prisoner walk to the bedside of the wounded man for forgiveness. The sheriff thought she was crazy, that at any time walking along the street, the mob would snatch the man away and lynch him right away. She told him not to worry. The prisoner was very nervous as he walked down the street between the sheriff and Sister Blandina. Dozens of angry men stared at the three as they walked to the wounded man's house. The three went in, the man forgave the prisoner, and they walked back to the jail without any trouble from the mob. The mob broke up, and the court decided the fate of the man. Throughout Sister Blandina's years in the wild western town of Trinidad, she had heard many stories of the murders committed by well-known and feared outlaws. One outlaw that she had heard so much about was "Billy the Kid", whom she was soon to meet in person.
One day a student of Sister Blandina's told her that one of Billy's gang members had been accidentally shot by a fellow gang member and was left to die in an adobe hut near-by. Sister Blandina immediately went over to the man and began caring for him; bringing him food and drink and answering his questions about God and religion. One day he told Sister Blandina that Billy and the gang would be arriving in Trinidad at 2 p.m. on Saturday to scalp the four doctors in the town that refused to treat his injury, just because he was an outlaw. Sister Blandina decided that no such thing was going to happen. On that Saturday at 2 p.m., Sister Blandina was waiting to meet one of the most feared murderers in the West. He arrived on schedule, and he greeted her kindly, as he had been told of all of the help she had given his fellow gang member. He said to her, "We are all glad to see you, Sister, and I want to say, it would give me pleasure to be able to do you any favor." At that offer Sister Blandina told him that she did have a favor to ask of him. He replied, "The favor is granted." She took his hand and said, "I understand you have come to scalp our Trinidad physicians, which act I ask you to cancel." Billy was a bit upset and surprised that Sister Blandina had known what their purpose was for visiting. Reluctantly he agreed Burro Alley – Santa Fe about 1870 and the four doctors' lives were saved. Later on, Sister Blandina was transferred to Santa Fe where she also set up a school, a hospital, and helped many other people. While there she visited her old acquaintance "Billy the Kid" who had been captured and put in jail, only to escape shortly after. On one of her trips in a stagecoach, her companions had heard that Billy was nearby, and had been robbing many people traveling in coaches. Her companions were very nervous, and she continued to "pray her beads." Suddenly, the driver yelled that someone was approaching the stagecoach. The men got out their guns, but Sister told them to put them away immediately. The man on horseback approached and rode along side the stagecoach. He looked at the passengers and Sister Blandina shifted her bonnet to catch a glimpse of the man. Their eyes met, the man raised his hat and bowed as if to greet Sister Blandina, and rode away. The men believed he was just a cowboy riding on the plains, but Sister Blandina knew better, it was "Billy the Kid." Sister Blandina continued her work out west for twenty-one years before returning to Cincinnati where she and her sister, Sister Justina, set up an Italian Welfare Center for the poor in the city.
Sister Blandina learned that "Billy the Kid" had been killed by Sheriff Patrick F. Garrett, and she often wondered if someone had gotten to "Billy the Kid", or William H. Bonney as was his real name, and instilled in him some religious beliefs and told him about Jesus and God, that maybe he would not have led a life of killing and robbery. He had, however, shown respect for the religious, probably because of the kindness that he had seen from Sister Blandina. Although never mentioned in American history books, Sister Blandina Segale is an example of a Catholic in America who lived her faith. She saved the lives of four doctors, performed every spiritual and corporal work of mercy to the people along the Santa Fe Trail, and proved that she was never afraid to do what was right, even if it meant standing up to a mob or to one of the most feared outlaws in the West.
Text Shared from Catholic Heritage Curriculum
Sister Blandina, or Sister Blandina Segale, is now declared Servant of God by the Pope. Sr. Blandina Segale born with the name Rosa Maria Rye (Cicagna, Liguria, Italy, 23 May 1850 - Cincinnati, US, 23 February 1941) .The Catholic Archdiocese of Santa Fe has a movement to canonize Sister Blandina Segale. Sr. Segale has a cause declared for beatification and canonization.
Today's Mass Readings and Video : Tues. August 18, 2015
Tuesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 420
Reading 1JGS 6:11-24A
The angel of the LORD came and sat under the terebinth in Ophrah
that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite.
While his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the wine press
to save it from the Midianites,
the angel of the LORD appeared to him and said,
“The LORD is with you, O champion!”
Gideon said to him, “My Lord, if the LORD is with us,
why has all this happened to us?
Where are his wondrous deeds of which our fathers
told us when they said, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?’
For now the LORD has abandoned us
and has delivered us into the power of Midian.”
The LORD turned to him and said, “Go with the strength you have
and save Israel from the power of Midian.
It is I who send you.”
But Gideon answered him, “Please, my lord, how can I save Israel?
My family is the lowliest in Manasseh,
and I am the most insignificant in my father’s house.”
“I shall be with you,” the LORD said to him,
“and you will cut down Midian to the last man.”
Gideon answered him, “If I find favor with you,
give me a sign that you are speaking with me.
Do not depart from here, I pray you, until I come back to you
and bring out my offering and set it before you.”
He answered, “I will await your return.”
So Gideon went off and prepared a kid and a measure of flour
in the form of unleavened cakes.
Putting the meat in a basket and the broth in a pot,
he brought them out to him under the terebinth
and presented them.
The angel of God said to him, “Take the meat and unleavened cakes
and lay them on this rock; then pour out the broth.”
When he had done so,
the angel of the LORD stretched out the tip of the staff he held,
and touched the meat and unleavened cakes.
Thereupon a fire came up from the rock
that consumed the meat and unleavened cakes,
and the angel of the LORD disappeared from sight.
Gideon, now aware that it had been the angel of the LORD,
said, “Alas, Lord GOD,
that I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face!”
The LORD answered him,
“Be calm, do not fear. You shall not die.”
So Gideon built there an altar to the LORD
and called it Yahweh-shalom.
that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite.
While his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the wine press
to save it from the Midianites,
the angel of the LORD appeared to him and said,
“The LORD is with you, O champion!”
Gideon said to him, “My Lord, if the LORD is with us,
why has all this happened to us?
Where are his wondrous deeds of which our fathers
told us when they said, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?’
For now the LORD has abandoned us
and has delivered us into the power of Midian.”
The LORD turned to him and said, “Go with the strength you have
and save Israel from the power of Midian.
It is I who send you.”
But Gideon answered him, “Please, my lord, how can I save Israel?
My family is the lowliest in Manasseh,
and I am the most insignificant in my father’s house.”
“I shall be with you,” the LORD said to him,
“and you will cut down Midian to the last man.”
Gideon answered him, “If I find favor with you,
give me a sign that you are speaking with me.
Do not depart from here, I pray you, until I come back to you
and bring out my offering and set it before you.”
He answered, “I will await your return.”
So Gideon went off and prepared a kid and a measure of flour
in the form of unleavened cakes.
Putting the meat in a basket and the broth in a pot,
he brought them out to him under the terebinth
and presented them.
The angel of God said to him, “Take the meat and unleavened cakes
and lay them on this rock; then pour out the broth.”
When he had done so,
the angel of the LORD stretched out the tip of the staff he held,
and touched the meat and unleavened cakes.
Thereupon a fire came up from the rock
that consumed the meat and unleavened cakes,
and the angel of the LORD disappeared from sight.
Gideon, now aware that it had been the angel of the LORD,
said, “Alas, Lord GOD,
that I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face!”
The LORD answered him,
“Be calm, do not fear. You shall not die.”
So Gideon built there an altar to the LORD
and called it Yahweh-shalom.
Responsorial PsalmPS 85:9, 11-12, 13-14
R. (see 9b) The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD–for he proclaims peace
To his people, and to his faithful ones,
and to those who put in him their hope.
R. The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and salvation, along the way of his steps.
R. The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
Jesus Christ became poor although he was rich
so that by his poverty you might become rich.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD–for he proclaims peace
To his people, and to his faithful ones,
and to those who put in him their hope.
R. The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and salvation, along the way of his steps.
R. The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
Alleluia2 COR 8:9
R. Alleluia, alleluia.Jesus Christ became poor although he was rich
so that by his poverty you might become rich.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMT 19:23-30
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich
to enter the Kingdom of heaven.
Again I say to you,
it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle
than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.”
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said,
“Who then can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said,
“For men this is impossible,
but for God all things are possible.”
Then Peter said to him in reply,
“We have given up everything and followed you.
What will there be for us?”
Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you
that you who have followed me, in the new age,
when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory,
will yourselves sit on twelve thrones,
judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters
or father or mother or children or lands
for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more,
and will inherit eternal life.
But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
“Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich
to enter the Kingdom of heaven.
Again I say to you,
it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle
than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.”
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said,
“Who then can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said,
“For men this is impossible,
but for God all things are possible.”
Then Peter said to him in reply,
“We have given up everything and followed you.
What will there be for us?”
Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you
that you who have followed me, in the new age,
when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory,
will yourselves sit on twelve thrones,
judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters
or father or mother or children or lands
for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more,
and will inherit eternal life.
But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
#PopeFrancis explains Jubilee of Mercy a time to care for sick and dying
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has said the Jubilee of Mercy will be a “good opportunity for increasing the collaboration between pastors and the laity in the mission of affectionately and tenderly caring for the sick and dying.”
His words were conveyed in a message sent to Manuel Martin Sjöberg, President of the Federación de Servicios de sacerdotales Urgencia y Nocturno (Federation of Priestly Emergency Services).
The society was founded in 1952 in Cordoba, Argentina, to help those in need receive the sacraments, especially when it is difficult to find a priest.
Pope Francis also quoted from Misericordiae Vultus, the Bull of Indiction announcing the Year of Mercy, which urges people to be close to those who are suffering “so they can feel the warmth of our presence, our friendship and our fraternity.”
Pope Francis thanked the volunteers of the association for their sixty years of performing “works of Christian mercy”, noting “we will be judged” on the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, because in “each of these ‘smallest ones’, Christ himself is present.” Shared from Radio Vaticana
#BreakingNews 22 Killed and over 100 injured after Bomb Explosion in Bankok - Please Pray
Bomb in Bangkok, 22 dead and over a hundred injured. Thai prime minister: the "worst attack ever"A bomb exploded yesterday near the Erawan Hindu temple, not far from site of past political demonstrations. Shock and fear among residents of the capital. The CCTV cameras have identified a suspect. Government believe attack linked to an opposition group in the north-east
Bangkok (AsiaNews) - Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has called yesterday evening’s bomb attack in Bangkok, which caused the deaths of at least 22 persons (including seven foreigners) and injured over a hundred people, "he worst attack ever" in the history of the country. He added that the attack aimed to "destroy our economy, our tourism". The bomb went off near the Herawan Hindu temple, one of the most important tourist attractions of the capital; the place is located just off the 'Ratchaprasong intersection, the scene of violent political demonstrations in recent years.
So far there have been no claims of responsibility and the authors have not yet been identified. However, CCTV camera’s captured images of a suspect in the blast zone, whom the police are seeking for questioning
The bomb was placed in a very crowded district, to create as much damage as possible. Throughout the capital there is an atmosphere of shock and fear following the attack, coupled with uncertainty about the authors and the motivations for such an act. Experts believe it may be linked to the Muslim separatist war in the south of the country, even if to date there have never been any attacks outside the disputed region.
Other hypotheses include the political tensions that have plagued Thailand in recent years, a nation divided between two opposing factions ("Yellow", monarchists associated the capital elite against the "Reds", who enjoy a broad consensus among the people of the north -east) giving way to violent clashes.
In May last year, the military seized power in a coup, ousting the government of former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra now on trial for corruption. The army chief, now prime minister and head of the military junta, declared a state of emergency and martial law. Recently the government approved a set of rules that critics call liberticide and give broad powers to the leadership to crack down on any form of protest.
In spite of a political climate fraught with tension, so far there had been no clashes, tensions or violence rather a focus on reviving the economy and ensuring a period of relative peace and tranquility. In fact the economy appears to have slowed in the second quarter of the year, with a decrease in demand and a decline in exports. And predictions for the future do not appear to induce optimism, with the devaluation of the Chinese currency that could have an even greater affect in the local market.
Commenting on the attack that struck the heart of Bangkok, the junta chief said investigators are searching for a "suspicious" male seen on the site of the explosion. "Today we have a suspect - said the 61 year old Prayut - which was taken by a CCTV camera, although the image is not entirely clear." He added that it is believed that the man is linked - although there is no official confirmation - "to an anti-government group located in the northeast of Thailand," stronghold of the "Reds" loyal to former premier Thaksin Shinawatra. "We will find him" concluded the head of the government.
The attack could prompt the government to tighten the repressive measures and policies that affect all forms of internal dissent. In the past months arrests, trials and convictions of a political nature have already been reported. "The country is in a desperate situation," said Sunai Phasuk, a researcher at Human Rights Watch (HRW), based in Bangkok. For the expert the restrictions imposed by Premier have ended up targeting more moderate critics, favoring the affirmation of the few radical and violent voices that today are the only way to oppose the powers that be.
The prime minister has repeatedly postponed the date of the general elections, most recently to 2016. However, behind this struggle for the centralization of power and control of the state apparatus there may be the question of the succession to the throne, with the old King Bhumibhol Adulyadej (87 years) ill and unable to guarantee a future kingdom. Prayut is a staunch monarchist and, according to analysts, could stay in power until it the question of succession is defined. Shared from Asia News IT
RIP Cardinal László Paskai, O.F.M. of Budapest - Age 88
He was born on 8 May 1927 in Szeged, in the south-eastern zone of Hungary. He entered the Order of Friars Minor and studied theology in Gyoongyos and at the seminary of Budapest. He was ordained a priest on 3 March 1951, and began his pastoral ministry in the diocese of Nagyvárad.
On 2 March 1978, Paul VI appointed him titular Bishop of Bavagaliana and apostolic administrator of Veszprém. He received episcopal ordination on 5 April 1978.
Pope John Paul II appointed him Archbishop of Veszprém on 31 March 1979, and then eight years appointed him Primate of Hungary and Archbishop of Esztergom. He was created Cardinal the following year.
He retired in 2002, but participated in the 2005 conclave which elected Pope Benedict XVI.Pope Francis has sent his condolences upon learning about the death of Cardinal László Paskai, OFM, the Archbishop emeritus of Esztergom-Budapest, who died on Monday at the age of 88.
Pope Francis sent a telegram to the current Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, Péter Cardinal Erdő, which says he was “saddened to learn the news of the death” of his predecessor. “I offer prayerful condolences to you, the clergy, men and women religious and lay faithful of the Archdiocese of Esztergom-Budapest, and I thank Almighty God for his many years of service to the Church in Hungary,” Pope Francis writes. “In commending his to the merciful love of the Father and uniting myself spiritually to all assembled for the solemn funeral rites, I impart my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of consolation and peace in the Lord,” the message concludes.
Pope Francis sent a telegram to the current Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, Péter Cardinal Erdő, which says he was “saddened to learn the news of the death” of his predecessor. “I offer prayerful condolences to you, the clergy, men and women religious and lay faithful of the Archdiocese of Esztergom-Budapest, and I thank Almighty God for his many years of service to the Church in Hungary,” Pope Francis writes. “In commending his to the merciful love of the Father and uniting myself spiritually to all assembled for the solemn funeral rites, I impart my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of consolation and peace in the Lord,” the message concludes.
Saint August 18 : St. Helena : Patron of #Converts, #Divorced : Mother of Constantine
Born: 248, Drepanum, Bithynia, Asia Minor
Died:
328, Constantinople, Roman
Major Shrine:
The shrine to Saint Helena in St. Peter's Basilica
Patron of:
archeologists, converts, difficult marriages, divorced people, empresses, Helena, the capital of Montana.
The mother of Constantine the Great, born about the middle of the third century, possibly in Drepanum (later known as Helenopolis) on the Nicomedian Gulf; died about 330. She was of humble parentage; St. Ambrose, in his "Oratio de obitu Theodosii", referred to her as a stabularia, or inn-keeper. Nevertheless, she became the lawful wife of Constantius Chlorus. Her first and only son, Constantine, was born in Naissus in Upper Moesia, in the year 274. The statement made by English chroniclers of the Middle Ages, according to which Helena was supposed to have been the daughter of a British prince, is entirely without historical foundation. It may arise from the misinterpretation of a term used in the fourth chapter of the panegyric on Constantine's marriage with Fausta, that Constantine, oriendo (i.e., "by his beginnings," "from the outset") had honoured Britain, which was taken as an allusion to his birth, whereas the reference was really to the beginning of his reign.
In the year 292 Constantius, having become co-Regent of the West, gave himself up to considerations of a political nature and forsook Helena in order to marry Theodora, the step-daughter of Emperor Maximinianus Herculius, his patron, and well-wisher. But her son remained faithful and loyal to her. On the death of Constantius Chlorus, in 308, Constantine, who succeeded him, summoned his mother to the imperial court, conferred on her the title of Augusta, ordered that all honour should be paid her as the mother of the sovereign, and had coins struck bearing her effigy. Her son's influence caused her to embrace Christianity after his victory over Maxentius. This is directly attested by Eusebius (Vita Constantini, III, xlvii): "She (his mother) became under his (Constantine's) influence such a devout servant of God, that one might believe her to have been from her very childhood a disciple of the Redeemer of mankind". It is also clear from the declaration of the contemporary historian of the Church that Helena, from the time of her conversion had an earnestly Christian life and by her influence and liberality favoured the wider spread of Christianity. Tradition links her name with the building of Christian churches in the cities of the West, where the imperial court resided, notably at Rome and Trier, and there is no reason for rejecting this tradition, for we know positively through Eusebius that Helena erected churches on the hallowed spots of Palestine. Despite her advanced age she undertook a journey to Palestine when Constantine, through his victory over Licinius, had become sole master of the Roman Empire, subsequently, therefore, to the year 324. It was in Palestine, as we learn from Eusebius (loc. cit., xlii), that she had resolved to bring to God, the King of kings, the homage and tribute of her devotion. She lavished on that land her bounties and good deeds, she "explored it with remarkable discernment", and "visited it with the care and solicitude of the emperor himself". Then, when she "had shown dueveneration to the footsteps of the Saviour", she had two churches erected for the worship of God: one was raised in Bethlehem near the Grotto of the Nativity, the other on the Mount of the Ascension, near Jerusalem. She also embellished the sacred grotto with rich ornaments. This sojourn in Jerusalem proved the starting-point of the legend first recorded by Rufinus as to the discovery of the Cross of Christ.
Her princely munificence was such that, according to Eusebius, she assisted not only individuals but entire communities. The poor and destitute were the special objects of her charity. She visited the churches everywhere with pious zeal and made them rich donations. It was thus that, in fulfilment of the Saviour's precept, she brought forth abundant fruit in word and deed. If Helena conducted herself in this manner while in the Holy Land, which is indeed testified to by Eusebius, Bishop of Caesarea in Palestine, we should not doubt that she manifested the same piety and benevolence in those other cities of the empire in which she resided after her conversion. Her memory in Rome is chiefly identified with the church of S. Croce in Gerusalemme. On the present location of this church formerly stood the Palatium Sessorianum, and near by were the Thermae Helenianae, which baths derived their name from the empress. Here two inscriptions were found composed in honour of Helena. The Sessorium, which was near the site of the Lateran, probably served as Helena's residence when she stayed in Rome; so that it is quite possible for a Christian basilica to have been erected on this spot by Constantine, at her suggestion and in honour of the true Cross.
Helena was still living in the year 326, when Constantine ordered the execution of his son Crispus. When, according to Socrates' account (Church History I.17), the emperor in 327 improved Drepanum, his mother's native town, and decreed that it should be called Helenopolis, it is probable that the latter returned from Palestine to her son who was then residing in the Orient. Constantine was with her when she died, at the advanced age of eighty years or thereabouts (Eusebius, Life of Constantine III.46). This must have been about the year 330, for the last coins which are known to have been stamped with her name bore this date. Her body was brought to Constantinople and laid to rest in the imperial vault of the church of the Apostles. It is presumed that her remains were transferred in 849 to the Abbey of Hautvillers, in the French Archdiocese of Reims, as recorded by the monk Altmann in his "Translatio". She was revered as a saint, and the veneration spread, early in the ninth century, even to Western countries. Her feast falls on 18 August. Regarding the finding of the Holy Cross by St. Helena, see CROSS AND CRUCIFIX.Shared from EWTN
In the year 292 Constantius, having become co-Regent of the West, gave himself up to considerations of a political nature and forsook Helena in order to marry Theodora, the step-daughter of Emperor Maximinianus Herculius, his patron, and well-wisher. But her son remained faithful and loyal to her. On the death of Constantius Chlorus, in 308, Constantine, who succeeded him, summoned his mother to the imperial court, conferred on her the title of Augusta, ordered that all honour should be paid her as the mother of the sovereign, and had coins struck bearing her effigy. Her son's influence caused her to embrace Christianity after his victory over Maxentius. This is directly attested by Eusebius (Vita Constantini, III, xlvii): "She (his mother) became under his (Constantine's) influence such a devout servant of God, that one might believe her to have been from her very childhood a disciple of the Redeemer of mankind". It is also clear from the declaration of the contemporary historian of the Church that Helena, from the time of her conversion had an earnestly Christian life and by her influence and liberality favoured the wider spread of Christianity. Tradition links her name with the building of Christian churches in the cities of the West, where the imperial court resided, notably at Rome and Trier, and there is no reason for rejecting this tradition, for we know positively through Eusebius that Helena erected churches on the hallowed spots of Palestine. Despite her advanced age she undertook a journey to Palestine when Constantine, through his victory over Licinius, had become sole master of the Roman Empire, subsequently, therefore, to the year 324. It was in Palestine, as we learn from Eusebius (loc. cit., xlii), that she had resolved to bring to God, the King of kings, the homage and tribute of her devotion. She lavished on that land her bounties and good deeds, she "explored it with remarkable discernment", and "visited it with the care and solicitude of the emperor himself". Then, when she "had shown dueveneration to the footsteps of the Saviour", she had two churches erected for the worship of God: one was raised in Bethlehem near the Grotto of the Nativity, the other on the Mount of the Ascension, near Jerusalem. She also embellished the sacred grotto with rich ornaments. This sojourn in Jerusalem proved the starting-point of the legend first recorded by Rufinus as to the discovery of the Cross of Christ.
Her princely munificence was such that, according to Eusebius, she assisted not only individuals but entire communities. The poor and destitute were the special objects of her charity. She visited the churches everywhere with pious zeal and made them rich donations. It was thus that, in fulfilment of the Saviour's precept, she brought forth abundant fruit in word and deed. If Helena conducted herself in this manner while in the Holy Land, which is indeed testified to by Eusebius, Bishop of Caesarea in Palestine, we should not doubt that she manifested the same piety and benevolence in those other cities of the empire in which she resided after her conversion. Her memory in Rome is chiefly identified with the church of S. Croce in Gerusalemme. On the present location of this church formerly stood the Palatium Sessorianum, and near by were the Thermae Helenianae, which baths derived their name from the empress. Here two inscriptions were found composed in honour of Helena. The Sessorium, which was near the site of the Lateran, probably served as Helena's residence when she stayed in Rome; so that it is quite possible for a Christian basilica to have been erected on this spot by Constantine, at her suggestion and in honour of the true Cross.
Helena was still living in the year 326, when Constantine ordered the execution of his son Crispus. When, according to Socrates' account (Church History I.17), the emperor in 327 improved Drepanum, his mother's native town, and decreed that it should be called Helenopolis, it is probable that the latter returned from Palestine to her son who was then residing in the Orient. Constantine was with her when she died, at the advanced age of eighty years or thereabouts (Eusebius, Life of Constantine III.46). This must have been about the year 330, for the last coins which are known to have been stamped with her name bore this date. Her body was brought to Constantinople and laid to rest in the imperial vault of the church of the Apostles. It is presumed that her remains were transferred in 849 to the Abbey of Hautvillers, in the French Archdiocese of Reims, as recorded by the monk Altmann in his "Translatio". She was revered as a saint, and the veneration spread, early in the ninth century, even to Western countries. Her feast falls on 18 August. Regarding the finding of the Holy Cross by St. Helena, see CROSS AND CRUCIFIX.Shared from EWTN
Catholic #Quote to SHARE "Anyone who goes to Mary and prays the Rosary cannot be touched by Satan."
"Anyone who goes to Mary and prays the Rosary cannot be touched by Satan." Fr. Gabriel Amorth - Chief Exorcist of the Vaitcan
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