A crowd of faithful welcomed the relics of Sant'Elena in Quartu today. Accompanying the statue of the Saint, the musical band of the Sassari Brigade and the guard of honor of the armed forces. A very important moment also experienced by the civil and military authorities, by all ecclesiastical entities, by the Archbishop of Cagliari Monsignor Giuseppe Baturi and by the Patriarchal delegate for cultural heritage of the Patriarchate of Venice, Monsignor Gianmatteo Caputo. Also in the front row was the mayor Graziano Milia who underlined "the honor for the city which demonstrates its ability to welcome".
The emotion was on everyone's faces. «Today we have Saint Helena here, in our home» said the parish priest of the basilica Don Alfredo Fadda before starting the celebration presided over by Monsignor Baturi, «I also join the multitude of faithful to honor and ask Saint Helena for the gift of a great faith." And then Monsignor Baturi: «I thank Don Alfredo and Monsignor Caputo, custodian of the relics, who wanted to grant us the visit of this, our Saint Helena».
The mass animated by the excellent St. Helena choir experienced one of its most special moments during the Eucharist. While the faithful stood up to take communion, the voice of the singer-songwriter Tonio Pani spread through the aisles who, guitar in hand, sang the Goccius of Sant'Elena, which he wrote some time ago for the patron saint, with the faithful even accompanied him.
The relics will remain in the city until Friday with the church remaining open from 6.30am to 12.30pm and from 3.30pm to 9.30pm. Today the pilgrimages will begin with the arrival of the Community of Guasila.
