'Fastest Nun in the West' on path for sainthood

2 photos

This undated photo provided by the Palace of the Governors shows Sister Blandina Segale, who... Read more

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The Archdiocese of Santa Fe announced Wednesday it is exploring sainthood for an Italian-born nun who challenged Billy the Kid, calmed angry mobs and helped open New Mexico territory hospitals and schools.

Archbishop Michael Sheehan said he has received permission from the Vatican to open the "Sainthood Cause" for Sister Blandina Segale, an educator and social worker who worked in Ohio, Colorado and New Mexico.

It's the first time in New Mexico's 400-year history with the Roman Catholic Church that a decree opening the cause of beatification and canonization has been declared, church officials said.

"There are other holy people who have worked here," said Allen Sanchez, president and CEO for CHI St. Joseph's Children in Albuquerque, a social service agency Segale founded. "But this would be a saint (who) started institutions in New Mexico that are still in operation."

Segale, a nun with the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, came to Trinidad, Colorado, in 1877 to teach poor children and was later transferred to Santa Fe, where she co-founded public and Catholic schools. During her time in New Mexico, she worked with the poor, the sick and immigrants. She also advocated on behalf of Hispanics and Native Americans who were losing their land to swindlers.

Her encounters with Old West outlaws later became the stuff of legend and were the subject of an episode of the CBS series "Death Valley Days." The episode, called "The Fastest Nun in the West," focused on her efforts to save a man from a lynch mob.

But her encounters with Billy the Kid remain among her most popular and well-known Western frontier adventures.

According to one story, she received a tip that The Kid was coming to her town to scalp the four doctors who had refused to treat his friend's gunshot wound. Segale nursed the friend to health, and when Billy came to Trinidad, Colorado, to thank her, she asked him to abandon his violent plan. He agreed.

Another story says The Kid and his gang attempted to rob a covered wagon traveling on the frontier. But when the famous outlaw looked inside, he saw Segale.

"He just tipped his hat," said Sheehan, the archbishop. "And left."

Many of the tales she wrote in letters to her sister later became the book, "At the End of the Santa Fe Trail."

"She was just amazing," said Victoria Marie Forde of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati. "It's tough to live up to her example."

Segale found St. Joseph's Hospital in Albuquerque before returning to Cincinnati in 1897 to start Santa Maria Institute, which served recent immigrants.

Her work resonates today, with poverty, immigration and child care still high-profile issues, Sanchez said.

Officials say it could take years — possibly a century — before Segale becomes a saint. The Vatican has to investigate her work and monitor for any related "miracles."

Those miracles could come in the form of healings, assistance to recent Central American immigrant children detained at the U.S. border or some other unexplained occurrences after devotees pray to her, Sanchez said.

"She's going to have to keep working," Sanchez said. "She's not done."

You need to be a member of Ashtar Command - Spiritual Community to add comments!

Join Ashtar Command - Spiritual Community

Email me when people reply –

Replies

  • An outlaw who killed two deputies and a sheriff was intimidated by a nun?  Note that at a 2011 auction a bid of $2.3 million was paid for the only certified and original photo of William H. Bonney ("Billy The Kid") displayed on the right.  The photo on the left is currently being examined as a very strong possibility to be William H. Bonney; the photo on the left has the same right-handed pinky finger gamblers ring and the same lip protrusions (Billy The Kid reportedly had horrible teeth that featured a huge overbite), as well as the same facial shape with equal nose and ear structures.

    Put together: A new photo purporting to show Billy the Kid (left) has emerged. The only verified picture of the Western outlaw was sold to billionaire William Koch in 2011 for $2.3million

This reply was deleted.

Topics by Tags

Monthly Archives

Latest Activity

Gary commented on rev.joshua skirvin's blog post Collective of Ascended Masters: The Solar Flash and Three Days of Darkness, Are They Coming?; Channel: Daniel Scranton | Source.
"I wanted to thank you for your message. I have been in, so I thought, I must be doing something wrong vibe. This puts me at ease and I thank so much for it!"
4 hours ago
Justin89636 left a comment on Comment Wall
"When we hear about Epstein we think of politicians and celebs who were involved with him, but it does make sense that individuals on Wall Street would also be involved as talked about here. The Deep State swamp is definitely all over the place.…"
4 hours ago
Drekx Omega left a comment on Comment Wall
"Yes, we always welcome members to post here and freely share their thoughts and ideas...Anything and everything, is fine..."
5 hours ago
Justin89636 left a comment on Comment Wall
"Good to see that even more people are starting to post on here now :)"
5 hours ago
Justin89636 left a comment on Comment Wall
"General Flynn comes on to the Benny show to talk about James Comey's corruption. James Comey could be the key that leads to the even bigger names being exposed. https://youtu.be/lBhru6CY4A0?si=fscUR7PbIxDlfElK"
5 hours ago
Drekx Omega left a comment on Comment Wall
"Yes, an interesting vid on physiognomies, Roberto........I will also suggest that the reference to the clay feet of the statue, is as follows..Daniel's dream and prophecy...
The golden head was Babylon, the silver arms and chest were Persia, the…"
5 hours ago
Roberto Durante left a comment on Comment Wall
"very interesting analyse on the physiognomy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbhOioXqIAE"
5 hours ago
Drekx Omega left a comment on Comment Wall
"Actually, the thought of ape-man Zelensky meeting the King, makes my flesh crawl...He hasn't changed that shirt he wears, for the last Month, by the looks of things...What a pong he will bring to the palace..💩 Yuk...!!
Moreover, this street thug is…"
6 hours ago
More…