Pillars of Fire In My Soul

sight, and the crowds were so great and excited to be there that they actually did physical damage to the buildings. However, when the bishop’s delegation made an examination of the situ- ation and the evidence, they concluded that it was only the shadows from the candles that created the illusion of Jesus’ face in the Eucharist. Despite this official ruling, people still came to the parish church in the hopes of seeing a vision of Jesus. Helen was born into this village where there was ongoing excitement about Jesus’ presence in the Blessed Sacrament. She undoubtedly felt that fervor and it likely shaped her own deep connection and devotion to the Eucharist. Helen was also born into a family where God was central. As he did early morning chores, her father sang “Godzinki,” the traditional Little Hours of the Immaculate Conception. During Lent he substituted “Gorzkie Zale,” the Lamentations of the Lord’s Passion. He also liked to sing a hymn of praise, the “Kiedy Ranne.” Stanislaus read his children stories of the desert fathers, fascinating Helen who recounted these same stories to the chil- dren of the village. Helen wanted very much to model her life on the lives of these holy people. In later years, she learned that there were religious orders where everyday life was centered around God, and she aspired to join such an order. From the time little Helen was three or four, she told her par- ents and older sisters that the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to her in dreams, taking her into a beautiful garden. Her family did not quite believe her, yet they knew her to be a very truthful girl. It seems one more indication that Helen’s relationship with God and the saints was very special. It seems a strong indication, too, that God’s mercy was constantly at work in Helen’s life, calling her to be restored to oneness with God. The road to holiness, however, is not always straight, but often spirals. Although Helen felt the call to holiness and had a special relationship with Mary, still there were obstacles to The Road to Canonization 141