Saints celebrated on the 19th of June
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BLESSED ELENA AIELLO, VIRGIN AND STIGMATIST
After losing her mother in 1906 when she was eleven years old, Elena Aiello, of Montalto Uffugo, Italy, assisted her father in his tailoring shop.
A DEEPLY PIOUS GIRL
A deeply pious girl, she entered the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood at the age of twenty-five, but health problems compelled her to return to her family nine months later.
FASTING AND OTHER PENANCE
Homebound, Elena went out only to receive Holy Communion several times a week. Upon receiving it, she mortified herself with fasting and other penances.
THE STIGMATA
On Friday, March 2, 1923, Elena was meditating upon the Passion of Christ when she received the stigmata of the crown of thorns and the bloody sweat of Gethsemane, a mystical experience that lasted three hours.
From then on, to the end of her life, she received the stigmata annually on each Friday of Lent, and most intensely on Good Friday. She experienced not only the thorn wounds and bloody sweat, but also the wounds of the hands and feet, accompanied by visions of Christ, the Blessed Virgin, and the saints.
THE SISTERS MINIMS OF THE PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
Elena later became the foundress of a new congregation, the Sisters Minims of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Mother Elena died on June 19, 1961.
“Our God is love, and all his saints
his image bear below;
the heart inspired with love for God
with love for all will glow.”
PRAYER:
Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Blessed Elena may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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