ROMA – On October 20, Blessed Elena Guerra, a nun from Lucca (Lucca, June 23, 1835 – April 11, 1914), will be proclaimed a saint. The Pope decreed this during today’s Consistory. The news, explains a note from the Archdiocese, “was learned with great joy” by the Church of Lucca.
“We are truly very happy,” says the archbishop, Monsignor Paolo Giulietti: “That this woman from Lucca is proclaimed a saint,” he adds, “is an important recognition for our ecclesial community and for her journey.” “The diocese,” Giulietti continues, “will participate in Rome for two days: both on the 20th for the canonization and on the 21st for the traditional thanksgiving mass. These are very important days and a program will be published soon by the diocesan organizing committee, which also includes the Oblate Sisters of the Holy Spirit, founded by Blessed Elena Guerra. Together with the pilgrimage office, we will do everything possible to ensure that the celebrations are well attended.” Happiness also comes from the words of the superior general of the Congregation of the Oblates of the Holy Spirit, Sister Maria Laura Quattrini, who lives in Lucca: “We, Elena Guerra’s daughters, are proud that our mother is becoming a saint. We hope that from heaven she will help to sanctify each of us. But I want to emphasize that she is a saint not only of our Congregation but of the entire Church. She is the saint who rediscovered the Holy Spirit who, thanks to her, is no longer the great unknown, rather as she said, he must be known, prayed to and loved by all. We are happy to have a Saint who has done so much for the Church”.
