Blessed Helen of Udine

Helen Valentini (1396-1458), an Augustinian Tertiary, was known for her spirit of penance, obedience, humility, devotion to the Passion of Christ and to the Eucharist, and for her love of neighbor. While still a young girl, she married Antonio Cavalcanti, an official of the city of Udine. The couple raised six children before Antonio died in 1441. Some time after the death of her husband, Helen became an Augustinian Tertiary. She was the first member of the Augustinian Third Order in Udine.

Her last three years were marked by a painful illness. She died April 23, 1458. Her remains were first buried at the Augustinian Church of Saint Lucy, but later her body was moved to the Cathedral of Udine. She was beatified by Pope Pius IX in 1848. Her Feast Day is April 23.