Saints August 18, Sts. Leo & Juliana, Roman Catholic Martyrs, Blesseds James, Thoffias and Mary Guengoro Japanese martyrs, Empress. Saint Helena

Sts. Leo & Juliana, Roman Catholic Martyrs.

Leo suffered martyrdom at Lycia. Juliana was martyred at Stribylum, in Asia Minor. Feastday Aug. 18 Blesseds James, Thoffias and Mary Guengoro Japanese martyrs. James was the son of Blesseds Thoffias and Mary Guengoro. James was only two at the time of his crucifixion at Kokura. Feastday Aug. 18 Empress. Saint 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 mother and showed her great respect. Coins were minted in her honour. In about 312, when she was over 60, St Helena became a Christian. She was very devout, dressed quietly, and gave generously to the poor and prisoners. She made a lengthy pilgrimage to the Holy Land where she spent large sums for the relief of the poor and sick and founded churches on the sacred sites. Ambrose, and the 9th century poet Cynewulf, wrote that Saint Helena won renown because she was the mother of the first Christian Emperor and because she is said to have found the True Cross in Jerusalem. Many miracles were attributed to her. St Helena died in 330. Her sarcophagus is in the Vatican Museum. One hundred and thirty-five monasteries in England are dedicated to her, particularly in the North East. Many places were dedicated to her name, including St Helen's in Lancashire. The Atlantic island of St Helena was named after her, because Spanish sailors discovered it today - her feast day.