Subj : =?UTF-8?Q?July_31st_=2D_Saint_Helen_of_Sk=C3=B6vde?= To : All From : rich Date : Thu Jul 30 2020 10:16:19 From: rich July 31st - Saint Helen of Sk=C3=B6vde (also known as Saint Helena, or Saint Elin av Sk=C3=B6vde,) 1101-1160 =C2 Saint Helen of Sk=C3=B6vde--widow, pilgrim, and martyr of the Church. Helen is the patron saint of Sk=C3=B6vde, Sweden, and her image decorates the coat of arms for the town. Her Acts were recorded by the Bishop of Skara, Brynolf Algotsson, a 100 years after her death. Born into nobility, Helen lived a quiet and entitled upbringing. Married as a young woman, she married and bore several children, but was sadly widowed at a very young age. Following the death of her husband, Helen devoted herself to caring for her family and maintaining the family farm. Diligent and hard-working, the family thrived. However, she soon began to feel called to help those who were less well-of, and gradually began distributing her wealth and possessions to the poor. Dedicated to the Lord, she financed the construction of the church in Sk=C3=B6vde, and subsequently departed Sweden for a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. In Jerusalem, she grew closer to God, and returned to Sk=C3=B6vde to her farm where she dwelt in charitable acts, quiet contemplation, and prayer. Prior to her departure on pilgrimage, Helen's now-adult daughter married an unkind and abusive man, who frequently beat her and was mercilessly unkind. While Helen was away, visiting the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, the servants of the household conspired to murder the abusive man. Upon her return, her daughter's in-laws blamed her, and hoping to avenge the death of their son, killed Helen on the way to church at G=C3=B6tene. Saint Helen was buried in the Sk=C3=B6vde church she helped finance, and a spring with reported miraculous healing properties sprang forth at the site. Following her death, the miracles began. The most profound miracle resulted when a blind man found the severed finger of Saint Helen (wearing a ring she had returned from the Holy Land with), and was instantly restored to sight. Other strange curiosities include the stone on which her body was washed that was said to have split in two as her blood ran over it. Pregnant women traditionally walked around the stones to ensure a hassle-free delivery. Over time, Saint Helen's grave became a pilgrimage site. Traditionally, pilgrims would take home small bags of dirt from St. Helen's grave (they wore the bags around their necks) for their healing properties. Saint Helen demonstrated, throughout her life, and openness to the call of the Lord. Not content to relax in her nobility and privilege, she distributed all she had to those in need, espousing the charitable acts of Jesus. Drawn to the Holy Land, she opened herself to the call of God, leading her deeper into the sacred relationship with the Divine. We pray today for the same courage to open ourselves to the call of the Lord, certain in the wonders and gifts that await us. =C2 by Jacob Saint Quote: "Act as if everything depended on you; trust as if everything depended on God." =E2=80=9CLet us work as if success depended upon ourselves alone, = but with heartfelt conviction that we are doing nothing, and God everything.=E2=80=9D --Saint Ignatius of Loyola Bible Quote 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. (Acts 20:29-32) =C2 RSVCE <><><><> Take, O Lord, and receive my entire liberty, my memory, my understanding and my whole will. All that I am and all that I possess You have given me. I surrender it all to You to be disposed of according to Your will. Give me only Your love and Your grace; with these I will be rich enough, and will desire nothing more. --Prayer of Saint Ignatius Loyola --- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2 * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4) .