The Windows of St. Jerome |
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St. Helena, Give Drink to the ThirstyFeast Day August 18 (250 - 330) St. Helena was the mother of Constantine the Great. Born of humble parentage, St. Ambrose referred to her as an inn-keeper. She married Constantine Chlorus who eventually left her to re-marry. Constantine (junior) succeeded his father to the imperial court and summoned his mother Helena and conferred on her the title of Augusta. He ordered all to honor his mother of the sovereign and had coins struck bearing her effigy. Under her son's influence Helena became a devout servant of God. Helena is linked to the building of churches where the imperial court resided (Rome and Trier). In Palestine she brought homage and tribute to the King of Kings by having erected two churches one in Bethlehem near the Grotto of the Nativity and the other on the Mount of Ascension near Jerusalem. Helena's generosity was such that she assisted not only individuals but entire communities. The poor and destitute were primary recipients of her charity. She visited churches everywhere with pious zeal and made rich donations. In fulfillment of the Savior's precept she brought forth abundant fruit in word and deed. Since the beginning of the fifth century, some ecclesiastical writers credit the finding of the Cross in the vicinity of Calvary to the work of St. Helena. Constantine was with her when she died at the age of 80 (approximately 330). In liturgical art she is depicted as an empress holding a cross. Click on one of the Saints to the right to learn more about them. Contact the Rectory for more information on purchasing prints of your favorite window(s). |
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