Saint of the Day – 23 September – Blessed Elena Duglioli (1472-1520) Widow

Saint of the Day – 23 September – Blessed Elena Duglioli (1472-1520) Widow Born in 1472 at Bologna, Italy and died on 23 September 1520 of natural cause, aged 48. Also known as – Elena Duglioli Dall’Olio, Hélène, Helen of Bologna. Elena was Beatified on 26 March 1828 by Pope Leo XII. Her body is incorrupt.

Unfortunately we have scant information on Elena’s life. Elena Duglioli was born in Bologna in 1472 to the aristocrats Notary Silverio Duglioli and Pentisilea Boccaferri.

During her childhood and adolescence, she desired to become a professed religious and decided to enter the Poor Clare Convent of Corpus Domini, Bologna. Her parents, however, wished her to marry and to obey and please them, she agreed to marry the much older Senator Benedetto dall’Olio.

The marriage took place in 1487 when she was 15 years old to the 40 year old Senator. Elena who greatly desired to Consecrate her virginity to God was able to bring Benedetto to agree to maintain total chastity in their marriage (this information is unconfirmed, hence her title remains ‘Widow’). The marriage proved happy and successful with both husband and wife living in admirable union and in complete harmony. Benedetto died after they had been together for 30 years.

Having become a widow, she devoted herself to pious works with even greater zeal.

Elena bore a particular devotion to Saint Cecilia and the Papal Legate to Bologna – Cardinal Francesco Alidosi – gave her a knucklebone Relic of St Cecilia. Her devotion to the Saint led her to commission the construction of a Church where the Artist, Raphael, would paint an image of the Saint Cecilia.

Elena died on 23 September 1520. Her incorrupt remains are housed in the Church of San Giovanni in Monte.

The Beatification received official confirmation on 26 March 1828 once Pope Leo XII approved her local cultus. Prospero Lorenzo Lambertini – the future Pope Benedict XIV – spoke in favour of Elena’s Beatification.