Saints

Empress. Helena was an innkeeper's daughter, born at Drepanum (later Helenopolis) in Asia Minor, around 270. Another story claims she was born in Britain and was the daughter of King Cole. She married the Roman general Constantius Chlorus, but when he became emperor in 292 he divorced her for political reasons. After his death, their son, who was to become the Emperor Constantine, reinstated his ... Read More

Saint Jeanne Delanoue Foundress of the Sisters of Providence, St Jeanne was born in Saumer, in France in 1666. As a young woman she had a reputation for being small, flirtatious and bossy. When she grew up she took charge of the family draper's shop. At the age of 26, she met the Abbe Genetau and a visionary called Francoise Suchet. From this point she gave all her goods to the poor and turned h... Read More

French priest. Founder of the Congregation of Jesus and Mary. John was born in 1601 to a farming family in Ri, Normandy. He was educated by the Jesuits at Caen. In 1623, inspired by Philip Neri, he joined the French Oratorians, staying with them for 20 years, preaching and caring for the sick during a series of epidemics that swept through France. He was one of the most popular preachers of his ... Read More