She faced down Billy the Kid, advocated for Native Americans, defended the rights of immigrants, and now Sister Blandina Segale—a 19th century nun who lived on the western frontier—is getting her own TV series. And, quite possibly, sainthood.
The series—called At the End of the Santa Fe Trail—will be produced by the Albuquerque, New Mexico-based Saint Hood Productions (apt) and will be a fictionalized account of Segale’s life in Trinidad, Colorado, and Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico. It is based on a 1932 book of the same title.
Segale led an inarguably interesting life, even tangling with some of the Wild West’s most infamous outlaws. The AP reports:
According to one story, she received a tip that Billy the Kid was coming to her town to scalp four doctors who refused to treat his friend’s gunshot wound. Segale nursed the friend to health, and when Billy went to Trinidad to thank her, she convinced him to abandon his violent plan.
Segale, also according to the AP is currently being considered by the Catholic church for canonization:
In October, the Archdiocese of Santa Fe formally closed its inquiry on why the legendary nun should become a saint and sent its findings to the Vatican.
But!
Officials say determining whether Segale qualifies for sainthood could take up to a century. The Vatican has to investigate her work and monitor for any related “miracles.”
While whether or not she performed miracles remains up for debate among the church, it’s clear that Segale—who was born in Italy—was an impressive and compassionate person.
Witnesses said Segale fought against the cruel treatment of American Indians and sought to stop the trafficking of women as sex slaves.
[…]
Segale, a nun with the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati and an advocate for Hispanics and Native Americans, founded schools in New Mexico and St. Joseph Hospital, a predecessor of the Albuquerque health organization. She worked as an educator and social worker in Ohio, Colorado and New Mexico.
Not to mention that I’ve never heard a better name for a nun than “Blandina.”
Image via the AP.
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