June 18

Belgian.
Died a martyr: 640

Alena was born near Brussels, Belgium, into a pagan family. She became a Christian in secret. One night her father had sent guards to follow her. When they saw her enter a chapel for secret Mass with the Holy Eucharist, she was arrested and martyred. Miracles were connected with her death. When her parents witnessed these miracles, they became Christian. A chapel in Forest, Belgium, a municipality of Brussels, holds her relics and is a popular pilgrimage site.

Prayer.........
God of all creation, you gave Alena the privilege of being counted among the saints who gave their lives in faithful witness to the gospel. May her prayers give us the courage to share with her the cup of suffering and to rise to eternal glory. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

St. Alena, pray for us!