St. Helena and her husband, Constantius, were not Christian at first. After more than 20 years of marriage, Constantius divorced her, forcing her to separate from her son, Constantine. After Constantius’ death, Helena and Constantine were able to reunite. By that time, Helena had become Christian, and Constantine had become the Roman Emperor. Constantine had a vision of the cross on his way to battle, and this led to his victory. The next year he issued the Edict of Milan, ending persecution of Christians.
“In the year 324,
Constantine sent Helena on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in search of the ‘Holy
Sepulcher’ and ‘The True Cross’. The ‘Holy Sepulcher’ is the location of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, while ‘The
True Cross’ is the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. On this
pilgrimage, it was said that Helena ‘followed in the footsteps of Jesus,’ by
performing many acts of kindness and good works, such as giving money, food,
and clothing to the poor, and also helping churches with funds as well as other
needs.” https://holylandpilgrimages.org/st-helena-the-legend-of-the-true-cross-and-the-holy-sepulcher/
We start this novena on our knees before Jesus Crucified.
Here I am, good and gentle Jesus, kneeling before you. With
great fervor I pray and ask you to instill in me genuine convictions of faith,
hope and love, with true sorrow for my sins and a firm resolve to amend them.
While I contemplate your five wounds with great love and compassion, I remember
the words which the prophet David long ago put on your lips: "They have
pierced my hands and my feet, I can count all my bones." (Psalm 22/17-18).
(https://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=232)
Dear Lord, I pray for
myself and (names). Through the intercession of St. Helena, please give us
a devotion to Your Holy Cross. When we are troubled, may we always remember to
unite our sufferings to You on the Cross, and offer everything in reparation
for our sins, the sins of those who have hurt us, and for the whole world.
Amen.
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