Blessed Elena Guerra - April 11
Also known as
Helen
Hélène
Memorial
11 April
23 December on some calendars
Profile
Born to wealthy, pious, aristocratic family, one of six children; only three survived to adulthood. From an early age Helen was devoted to the Holy Spirit. She worked with the Vincentians, caring for the poor and the sick, studying Latin and the writings of the Church Fathers. At age 22 she fell victim to an illness that kept her bed-ridden for eight years, during which time she continued her studies. In 1866 she founded the Society of Mary, Daughters of Saint Agnes in Lucca, Italy and became its first member; the community later became the Oblate Sisters of the Holy Spirit (Sisters of Saint Zita; Zitine Sisters) which cared for and saw to the religious education of girls. Saint Gemma Galgani was one of her students, and the Oblates continue their work today with houses in Italy, Brazil, Canada, Philippines, Lebanon and Iran.
Born
23 June 1835 in Lucca, Italy
Died
11 April 1914 in Lucca, Italy of natural causes
Venerated
26 June 1953 by Pope Pius XII (decree of heroic virtues)
Beatified
26 April 1959 by Pope Blessed John XXIII
5,000 of her Congregation attended the beatification recognition
Canonized
on 13 April 2024 Pope Francis promulgated a decree of a miracle received through the intercession of Blessed Elena
on 23 May 2024 Pope Francis announced a consistory to decide on the canonization of Blessed Elena
Stanislaus of Cracow (Memorial)
—
Agericus of Tours
Aid of Achard-Finglas
Angelo Carletti di Chivasso
Antipas of Pergamon
Barsanuphius of Gaza
Beatrice of Belmonte
Dadnan of Cell Cunga
Domnio of Salona
Elena Guerra
Eustorgius of Nicomedia
Gemma Galgani
George Gervase
Godeberta of Noyon
Guthlac of Croyland
Isaac of Monteluco
James of Africa
John of Cupramontana
Lanunio
Machai
Maedhog of Clonmore
Mechthild of Lappion
Paul of Africa
Philip of Gortyna
Raynerius Inclusus
Sancha of Portugal
Symforian Ducki
—
Martyrs of Saint-Gilles
Hildebrand
Stephen
Jacob Oldi
Lanuino
youtube.com/watch?v=svx5jb6T0gI
Preghiamo presso il luogo dove riposa il corpo della Santa Elena Guerra
Congregazione Suore Oblate dello Spirito Santo