Background
Enselmini was born in Padua, from an impoverished noble family of the region.
Enselmini was born in Padua, from an impoverished noble family of the region.
Moved by a sermon she heard him give on the streets of Padua, Enselmini was inspired to become a Poor Clare at the age of 12, according to tradition receiving the religious habit from Francis himself. Although she was always in frail health, Enselmini spent the rest of her life living the full rigor of the Rule of Saint Clare, including frequent fasting, poverty of life and manual labor, without complaint. She was said to have had the gift of inedia, living solely off the Blessed Sacrament for months.
Her health declined severely later in life, however, and she became both blind and mute in her last years, which she accepted with patience.
She is said to have been advised and comforted during this period by Saint Anthony of Padua. She died on 4 November 1231 (or 1242) of natural causes.
Her body was described as still lifelike for a considerable period and miracles were reported by visitors to her tomb. A century later, Giusto de" Menabuoi included her in his mural of the patron saints of the city in the baptistry of the Cathedral of Padua.
In the 15th century, the monastery was re-dedicated to her as the Monastery of Saint Helen outside the Walls, with an indulgence granted by Pope Eugene IV in 1443 to all those who contributed to its rebuilding.
She was beatified on 29 October 1695 by Pope Leo X, later confirmed by Pope Innocent XII. Today her remains are encased in a glass coffin in the Sanctuary of Arcella, now part of the City of Padua.