Helena was the mother of Constantine the Great and became fervent in faith after embracing Christianity. In old age she made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, built churches at the holy places, and is traditionally credited with finding the True Cross.
Life
Saint Helena, thought to have been born around 250, was the mother of the Roman emperor Constantine the Great. She is said to have come from humble origins, and her union with Constantius ended when he married another woman for political reasons.
After her son Constantine became emperor she was held in high honor, embraced the Christian faith and devoted herself to charity. In the late 320s, already advanced in years, she made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and helped found churches at Bethlehem and on the Mount of Olives. Later tradition says she discovered the True Cross in Jerusalem, but that story arose after her death. She died around 330.
Spirituality
Saint Helena's spirituality is the heart of a pilgrim who walks the way of faith at any age. She bore the pain of being cast aside, yet she chose charity and prayer over bitterness, and she used her position as the emperor's mother to honor the places of Christ and to help the poor.
Reflection
Saint Helena set out on pilgrimage in her old age. It is never too late on the journey of faith. What could I begin today to draw one step closer to the Lord?