Bienheureuse ELENA AIELLO, vierge religieuse, mystique et fondatrice de la Congrégation des Soeurs Minimes de la Passion de Notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ

 

Beata Elena Aiello

Bienheureuse Elena Aiello

Fondatrice des Minimes de la Passion (+ 1961)

Née à Montalto Uffugo en 1895, près de Cosenza, en Italie du Sud, Elena est entrée en 1920 chez les Sœurs de la Charité du Précieux-Sang mais de graves problèmes de santé l'obligent à retourner chez elle. Guérie par l'intercession de sainte Rita, elle a ensuite des visions du Christ et de la Vierge qui développent chez elle une profonde dévotion pour la Passion du Christ.

En 1928, elle fonde une œuvre pour les orphelines et obtient, au lendemain de la Seconde guerre mondiale, la création de la congrégation des Minimes de la Passion qui sera définitivement approuvée en 1949 et qui compte aujourd'hui des maisons en Italie, en Suisse, au Canada, en Colombie et au Brésil. (d'après: La Croix du 14/09/2011)

Béatifiée le 14 septembre 2011, elle est la première bienheureuse de la Calabre.

Sœur Elena Aiello, fondatrice des sœurs minimes de la Passion de Notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ, est béatifiée aujourd'hui à Cosenza... Remarquable fille de la région de Calabre, Sœur Elena aimait dire: 'L'eucharistie est la nourriture essentielle de ma vie, la respiration profonde de mon âme, le sacrement qui donne sens à ma vie, à toutes les actions de la journée'. Que l'exemple de la nouvelle bienheureuse et son intercession augmente en chacun l'amour de ce sacrement merveilleux.

(d'après Benoît XVI à l'audience du 14 septembre 2011 - texte en anglais)

Video de la béatification - en italien.

 Source : https://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saint/12613/Bienheureuse-Elena-Aiello.html

Italie : Elena Aiello, première bienheureuse de Calabre

Pour Benoît XVI une « âme eucharistique »

SEPTEMBRE 14, 2011 00:00ZENIT STAFFEGLISES LOCALES

ROME, Mercredi 14 septembre 2011 (ZENIT.org) – Le pape Benoît XVI a salué en la bienheureuse Elena Aiello(1895-1961)une « âme eucharistique » : elle est la première bienheureuse de la région italienne de Calabre. Elle avait écrit à Mussolini de ne pas entrer en guerre.

Elena Aiello a en effet été béatifiée cet après-midi à Cosenza : cette mystique, fondatrice des sœurs Minimes de la Passion de Notre-Seigneur Jésus-Christ avait écrit à Mussolini de la part du Christ pour lui demander de ne pas s’engager dans la guerre, puis de se retirer du conflit.

La célébration a été présidée au nom du pape par le cardinal Angelo Amato, préfet de la Congrégation pour les causes des saints, au stade communal San Vito de Cosenza, accompagné de Mgr Salvatore Nunnari, évêque de Cosenza, et du nonce apostolique en Turquie, Mgr Antonio Lucibello.

A l’audience générale de ce matin, Benoît XVI a salué cette béatification en disant : « En Italie, l’Eglise se réjouit de l’élévation à la gloire des autels d’une âme éminemment eucharistique ».

Elena Aiello a vécu dans une famille chrétienne exemplaire de 8 enfants. Elle entra en 1920 chez les Sœurs du très Précieux Sang.

Mais elle dut quitter la communauté en raison d’une gangrène de l’épaule gauche, qui fut mal opérée, sans anesthésie : elle resta paralysée, et la plaie ne se refermait pas.

Le Christ lui révéla qu’elle était associée de façon spéciale à sa Passion et elle consentit.

Puis on lui diagnostiqua un cancer de l’estomac, réputé incurable aujourd’hui encore. Mais elle fut guérie par l’intercession de sainte Rita, qui la favorisa d’apparitions, en 1921.

Le 2 mars 1923, premier vendredi du mois, elle commença à porter des stigmates de la Passion du Christ qui lui dit un jour : « Toi aussi, tu dois me ressembler, car tu dois être la victime pour tant de pécheurs et satisfaire à la justice de mon Père pour qu’ils soient sauvés ».

Ces manifestations de son union profonde au Christ n’affectaient cependant pas sa vie quotidienne et elle fonda ainsi une nouvelle congrégation. Sa réputation de sainteté se répandit et le peuple accourait pour lui demander conseil.

Puis elle reçut la révélation que sa plaie purulente à l’épaule allait aussi être guérie, après trois ans de souffrance : dans la nuit du 21 mai 1924, elle entendit en songe sainte Rita lui annoncer qu’elle serait guérie le lendemain à 15 heures.

Elle fonda l’Ordre des Sœurs Minimes de la Passion de Notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ en 1928 : elle avait 33 ans. Mais la communauté ne reçut un décret de reconnaissance juridique qu’en 1949 : elle avait ainsi 54 ans lorsqu’elle prononça ses vœux perpétuels.

Les sœurs se consacraient à l’éducation des enfants du peuple et elles les préparaient pour la Première communion : au bout d’un ans, elles en avaient hébergé 24. Les enfants et la fondatrice seront aussi favorisés d’une « visite » de sainte Thérèse de Lisieux. La fondation grandira avec l’aide de la Providence : Sœur Elena ouvrira 18 maisons en Italie.

Sa réputation de sainteté ne se démentait pas et parvint aux oreilles de Benito Mussolini, qui fit parvenir un don à la maison généralice de Cosenza. La fondatrice lui écrivit à son tour une lettre, en date du 23 Avril 1940, mais publiée le 19 Mars 1956. Elle avait l’audace d’écrire : « Je viens à Vous au nom de Dieu pour vous dire ce que le Seigneur m’a révélé et qu’il veut de vous » : elle demande à Mussolini de « maintenir l’Italie hors de la guerre ».

Le 15 mai 1943, elle s’adressera à son intermédiaire pour la première lettre, Edwige Mancini Mussolini, sœur du Duce, en disant : « Je vous demande de dire en mon nom au Duce que celui-ci est le dernier avertissement que le Seigneur lui envoie. (…) Si le Duce ne sauve pas l’Italie en se remettant à ce que lui conseillera et dira de faire le Saint-Père, bien vite il tombera ».

Hospitalisée à Rome le 12 juin 1961, Mère Elena s’éteignit le 19 juin à l’âge de 66 ans. La nouvelle bienheureuse repose à Cosenza.

Anita S. Bourdin

SOURCE : https://fr.zenit.org/2011/09/14/italie-elena-aiello-premiere-bienheureuse-de-calabre/

Bse Elena Aiello

Vierge, mystique et fondatrice des :

“Suore Minime della Passione di N.S.G.C.” « Sœurs Minimes de la Passion de N.S.J.C.) »

Elena Aiello naît à Montalto Uffugo, province de Cosenza, le 10 avril 1895, mercredi de la Semaine Sainte. Fille de Pasquale Aiello et de Teresa Paglilla, elle a vécu dans une famille chrétienne exemplaire de 8 enfants.

Elle entra en 1920 chez les Sœurs du très Précieux Sang. Mais elle dut quitter la communauté en raison d’une gangrène de l’épaule gauche, qui fut mal opérée, sans anesthésie : elle resta paralysée, et la plaie ne se refermait pas.

Le Christ lui révéla qu’elle était associée de façon spéciale à sa Passion et elle consentit.

Puis on lui diagnostiqua un cancer de l’estomac, réputé incurable (aujourd’hui encore). Mais elle fut guérie par l’intercession de sainte Rita, qui la favorisa d’apparitions, en 1921.

Le 2 mars 1923, premier vendredi du mois, elle commença à porter des stigmates de la Passion du Christ qui lui dit un jour : « Toi aussi, tu dois me ressembler, car tu dois être la victime pour tant de pécheurs et satisfaire à la justice de mon Père pour qu'ils soient sauvés ».

Ces manifestations de son union profonde au Christ n’affectaient cependant pas sa vie quotidienne et elle fonda ainsi une nouvelle congrégation. Sa réputation de sainteté se répandit et le peuple accourait pour lui demander conseil.

Puis elle reçut la révélation que sa plaie purulente à l’épaule allait aussi être guérie, après trois ans de souffrance : dans la nuit du 21 mai 1924, elle entendit en songe sainte Rita lui annoncer qu’elle serait guérie le lendemain à 15 heures.

Elle fonda l’Ordre des « Sœurs Minimes de la Passion de Notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ » en 1928 : elle avait 33 ans. Mais la communauté ne reçut un décret de reconnaissance juridique qu’en 1949 : elle avait ainsi 54 ans lorsqu’elle prononça ses vœux perpétuels.

Les sœurs se consacraient à l’éducation des enfants du peuple et elles les préparaient pour la Première communion : au bout d’un an, elles en avaient hébergé 24. Les enfants et la fondatrice seront aussi favorisés d’une « visite » de sainte Thérèse de Lisieux. La fondation grandira avec l’aide de la Providence : Sœur Elena ouvrira 18 maisons en Italie.

Sa réputation de sainteté ne se démentait pas et parvint aux oreilles de Benito Mussolini, qui fit parvenir un don à la maison généralice de Cosenza. La fondatrice lui écrivit à son tour une lettre, en date du 23 Avril 1940, mais publiée le 19 Mars 1956. Elle avait l’audace d’écrire : « Je viens à Vous au nom de Dieu pour vous dire ce que le Seigneur m'a révélé et qu'il veut de vous » : elle demande à Mussolini de « maintenir l’Italie hors de la guerre ».

Le 15 mai 1943 elle s’adressera à son intermédiaire, Edwige Mancini Mussolini, sœur du Duce, en disant : « Je vous demande de dire en mon nom au Duce que celui-ci est le dernier avertissement que le Seigneur lui envoie. (…) Si le Duce ne sauve pas l'Italie en se remettant à ce que lui conseillera et dira de faire le Saint-Père, bien vite il tombera ».

Hospitalisée à Rome, où elle s’était rendue pour l’ouverture d’une nouvelle maison,  le 12 juin 1961, Mère Elena s’éteignit le 19 juin à 6h19, à l’âge de 66 ans ; elle repose dans la chapelle de la maison généralice à Cosenza.

Elena Aiello a été béatifiée le 14 septembre 2011 au stade communal San Vito de Cosenza ; elle est la première bienheureuse de la région italienne de Calabre.

La célébration a été présidée, au nom du pape Benoît XVI, par le card. Angelo Amato s.d.b., Préfet de la Congrégation pour les causes des saints, accompagné de Mgr Salvatore Nunnari, évêque de Cosenza, et du nonce apostolique en Turquie, Mgr Antonio Lucibello.

Pour un approfondissement biographique :

>>> Mère Elena Aiello

SOURCE : https://levangileauquotidien.org/FR/display-saint/6526241c-64a6-48e1-844c-0635dc959132

Vénérable Mère ELENA AIELLO

Religieuse, fondatrice, stigmatisée

(1895-1961)

LA VIE

Naissance et premières années

Elena Aiello naquit à Montalto Uffugo, province de Cosenza, le 10 avril 1895, mercredi de la Semaine Sainte. Elle était la fille de Pasquale Aiello et de Teresa Paglilla.

La petite Elena vécut dans un milieu familial très chrétien et exemplaire. Pasquale Aiello était considéré comme l’un des meilleures couturiers de la région. Il était décrit comme un homme d'une honnêteté exceptionnelle, exquise dans les modalités, apparaissait et était un parfait gentilhomme, respectait et était respecté. Il mourut en 1905, encore jeune, laissant à sa bonne épouse huit enfants : Emma, Ida, Elena, Evangelina, Elisa, Riccardo, Giovannina et Francesco ; une autre fille prénommée Maria Elena était morte, un an avant son père, âgée d’à peine un an. Chacun, selon son âge, aidait aux travaux de la maison et aux affaires des parents.

Elena avait bien vite démontré une vive intelligence : âgé de quatre ans, elle répondait déjà à un certain nombre de questions de catéchisme.

En 1901, alors qu’elle n’avait que six ans, elle fut envoyée chez les Sœurs du Très Précieux Sang, pour y fréquenter l’école élémentaire et continuer son instruction religieuse. A l’Institut des Soeurs, la petite, après la prière, exprimait toujours le désir de vouloir assister à la sainte Messe ; mais à l’Institut la Messe n'était pas célébrée chaque matin, alors la petite Elena, lorsqu’elle le pouvait, allait dans l'église voisine pour satisfaire son ardent désir.

Rentrée à la maison, après l’école, elle aidait encore, sous la surveillance de la sœur, à préparer le repas. Les sœurs de l’Institut, constatant son progrès et avancement dans la connaissance du catéchisme, commencèrent ― et cela pendant huit ans ― à la prendre avec elles, pour l'habituer à enseigner à de plus petits la doctrine chrétienne. Ses temps libres elle les consacrait aux autres travaux domestiques et aux immanquables prières quotidiennes.

La “grippe espagnole”

La Calabre, pendant la Première Guerre Mondiale, subit, comme et peut-être plus les autres régions, des carences hygiéniques et sanitaires, ce qui favorisa la propagation de la « grippe espagnole », laquelle sema sur son passage, dans la région calabraise et dans tout le pays, désolation et mort.

Elena, en cette période, passait sa journée à assister les infirmes, s'occupant même de la confection de caisses en bois pour enterrer « chrétiennement » ― comme elle-même disait ― les malheureuses victimes de l’épidémie.

Pendant la période de l'épidémie, maître Pasquale permit même qu'Elena passa la nuit à l’Institut avec les Soeurs, par crainte qu’elle puisse transmette l’épidémie à toute la famille. Et les Soeurs commencèrent à la considérer comme une des leurs, caressant l’idée de l'accueillir au plus vite dans leur congrégation. Et le père, vu la décision et l'insistance d'Elena, maintenant que la tempête de l'après-guerre était finie, lui accorda la permission d’embrasser la vie religieuse. Et ce fut ainsi que le 18 août 1920, Elena fit son entrée officielle chez les Sœur du très Précieux Sang.

Mais le séjour d’Elena à l’Institut des sœurs fut de courte durée. En effet, un jour la Mère Générale, alors qu’elle descendait les escaliers, aperçut Elena étendue par terre dans la laverie. Vite on la souleva et on la mit au lit. On constata ensuite que l’épaule gauche était noire jusqu’au cou. Le médecin fut appelé et celui-ci suggéra une intervention chirurgicale. Mais on tarda à l’opérer, à cause d’une fièvre persistante. Les sœurs décidèrent alors de faire intervenir le médecin de la Communauté, en assumant toute responsabilité.

L’opération surréaliste

Le 25 mars 1921 (mardi saint), dans le dortoir même, attachée à une chaise, Elena subit, sans anesthésie, pas même locale, l’ablation de la chaire noircie, tenant dans ses mains, pour garder le courage, un crucifix en bois et sur son front une image de la Vierge des Douleurs.

En même temps que de la chair noircie, le médecin coupa aussi des nerfs, ce qui eut pour résultat de paralyser l’épaule ainsi que la bouche qui restait serrée. L'impression laissée sur la patiente fut terrible ; pendant environ quarante jours elle fut tourmentée par des vomissements.

Mais le temps de la prise d’habits approchait et Elena, au prix d’un grand effort et la blessure encore ouverte, voulut se lever afin de suivre les exercices spirituels, dans l'espoir de vêtir l’habit religieux.

Pour corriger le défaut de l’épaule, elle réussi à se mettre un bustier qui lui permettait de se redresser. Mais, vu sa condition physique déplorable, le Père Directeur ne rien faire d’autre que de lui conseiller de rentrer chez elle, au sein de sa famille, afin de se soigner convenablement, avant de revenir dans la Communauté.

Pendant cette période Elena nota dans son cahier avoir reçu deux fois, peu de jours avant de quitter le monastère, de la part du Seigneur, une invitation à la résignation, et d’accepter ce que Lui, Il avait disposé pour elle, ainsi qu’une invitation à embrasser fermement la croix qu’Il lui préparait.

Elena, entre-temps, avait grandement dépérit, au point d’être méconnaissable. Elle ne pouvait ni se laver, ni se coiffer : son bras gauche était paralysé et sur son épaule il y avait une plaie qui bien vite commença à se remplir de vermine. Le père, très préoccupé de l’état de sa fille, la conduisit à Cosenza chez un spécialiste. Le professeur qui l'examina dit alors à la jeune demoiselle :

« Je ne peux rien faire, ma fille, parce que tu as été saccagée : le médical qui t'a opérée... n'est pas un chirurgien ; il t’a coupé des nerfs... ; seul un miracle pourra résoudre ton état de santé ; maintenant ta plaie risque d’être atteinte par la gangrène ! »

Quelque temps après, les médecins imposèrent à Elena une visite soignée et une radiographie pour vérifier la cause des graves dérangements gastriques qui continuaient à tourmenter la pauvre fille. Elle fut reconduite par conséquent à l’Hôpital Civil de Cosenza, où un cancer à l'estomac fut diagnostiqué.

Intervention de sainte Rita

Elena adressa alors une fervente prière à sainte Rita ― la sainte des impossibles ! ― lui demandant la guérison de cette nouvelle maladie qui avait frappé son l'estomac. Pendant qu’elle priait, elle vit la statue de la Sainte s’entourer d’une éblouissante lumière. Dans la nuit, la Sainte lui apparut pour lui dire qu’elle aimerait que l’on institue son culte pour raviver la foi des gens et demanda à Elena de commencer un  triduum en son honneur. Le lendemain, Elena revint à Montalto et commença un triduum à sainte Rita. Celui-ci terminé, la vision se renouvela : le triduum, disait la Sainte, devait être répété et qu’alors elle serait guérie de son mal d’estomac. Pour ce qui était de l’épaule, elle devait garde ce mal et souffrir pour réparer pour les péchés des hommes.

En effet, le 21 octobre 1921, Elena eut la grâce de la guérison complète de sa tumeur gastrique. Evangelina, la sœur, couchée dans la chambre contiguë, vit, pendant cette nuit-là, par la fente de la porte entrouverte, s’échapper une lumière éclatante. Croyant qu’il s’agissait d’un incendie, elle accourut aussitôt dans la chambre d’Elena. Elle s’assit sur le bord du lit et remarqua que sa sœur qui paraissait assoupie, s’était plutôt évanouie. Alors, affligée, elle appela les autres membres de la famille, car elle craint aussi qu’elle ne soit morte.

Lorsque les autres membres de la famille entrèrent dans la chambre, Elena avait complètement éveillée et en pleine santé. Elle leur raconta alors la visite de sainte Rita, la guérison, les paroles de la vision ; ensuite, elle leur demanda quelque chose à manger.

Premiers stigmates

Le 2 Mars 1923, premier vendredi du mois, se produisit, pour la première fois, ce phénomène extraordinaire qui attraira sur Elena l'attention de tant de gens, de régions même très lointaines, et qu'il se répétera tous les ans, jusqu'à sa mort. Le matin, après la communion, une voix interne lui annonçait à l'avance l’imminence d’un nouveau genre de souffrance choisi pour elle par le Seigneur.

Vers quinze heures, elle était au lit souffrant beaucoup à cause de la plaie carcinomateuse de son épaule gauche ; le Seigneur, vêtu de blanc et portant la couronne d'épines lui apparut. L’ayant invitée à participer à ses souffrances, Elena répondit affirmativement ; alors le Seigneur enleva de son Chef la couronne et la posa sur la tête d’Elena. À son contacte, une abondante effusion de sang sortit. Le Seigneur lui indiqua qu'Il avait besoin de cette souffrance pour convertir les pécheurs ; pour beaucoup de péchés d'impureté, et qu’elle devait être victime pour satisfaire la Divine Justice.

Une certaine femme nommée Rosaria, domestique de la famille, après avoir terminé son service s’apprêtait à partir ; ayant entendu des bruits suspects qui venaient de la chambrette d'Elena, elle monta prudemment pour se rendre compte de ce qui se passait. Surprise, à la vision de tant de sang, elle partit de suite prévenir la famille, croyant qu'Elena avait été tuée.

Dès leur arrivée dans la chambre, et devant ce spectacle étonnant, ils purent constaté la véracité des dires de la domestique. Ils appelèrent alors les médecins et les prêtres du pays.

Le docteur Adolfo Turano essaya des lavages, mais le sang continuait de couler de la tête d’Elena. Après trois heures de saignements continus, le phénomène s’arrêta de lui-même. Tous restèrent surpris, confondus, impressionnés parce qu'ils ne savaient pas expliquer, d’aucune manière ce qui s'était produit.

Le deuxième vendredi de mars avant quinze heures on fit venir le docteur Turano à la maison, ainsi que d’autres personnes, afin de constater si le même phénomène allait se répéter. Et en effet, exactement à la même heure le même phénomène se reproduisit. Alors, le Docteur chercha à arrêter le sang avec un mouchoir, mais à ce contacte, la peau de la partie blessée s’irritait au point de faire grossir et s’élargir les pores, ce qui causait de grandes douleurs à Elena.

Une histoire de mouchoir

Le troisième vendredi du même mois, une dame de San Benedetto Ullano (D. Virginia Manes), mère du docteur Aristodemo Milano, fut envoyé par son fils pour constater le fait et tremper un mouchoir dans le sang. La femme, restée seule dans la petite cellule d'Elena, lui sécha le front avec un mouchoir, qu’elle plia ensuite et conserva. Revenue à San Bénedetto elle trouva inexplicablement le mouchoir complètement propre et sans la moindre trace de sang. Le fils, après avoir écouté le récit de sa maman se convertit et demanda à recevoir le baptême.

Dans une vision, le Seigneur, répondant aux plaintes d'Elena pour tout ce qu’on lui faisait subir à cause de la sueur de sang, lui expliqua que c’était Lui que la faisait souffrir ; qu’elle devait être sa victime pour le monde ; qu'elle ne devait pas s’affliger à cause du crucifix qui lui avait été enlevé et que de toute manière elle l’avait toujours présent en son cœur et que pour le confirmer Il lui donnerait les plaies de sa Passion, qui seraient visibles aux yeux de tous.

La stigmatisation complète

En effet, lors du quatrième vendredi du mois de mars, Elena retrouva dans son corps ces mêmes plaies. Jésus lui dit alors :

« Toi aussi, tu dois me ressembler, car tu dois être la victime pour tant de pécheurs et satisfaire à la justice de mon Père pour qu'ils soient sauvés ».

Vers cinq heures (dix-sept heures), Jésus lui dit :

« Ma fille, regarde comme je souffre ! J'ai versé tout mon sang pour le monde et maintenant il s’en va en ruine ; personne ne se rend compte des perfidies dont il est recouvert. Considère l'acerbité de ma douleur causée par un si grand nombre d’injures et de mépris que je reçois de tant de provocateurs et de libertins... ».

Le vendredi suivant, à toutes les autres plaies des mains et des pieds s'ajouta la blessure du côté. Le jour du Corpus Domini la douleur aux plaies se renouvela avec une nouvelle effusion de sang et, chose remarquable, les plaies, à la fin de l’extase, se cicatrisaient parfaitement.

Les phénomènes cités ci-dessus, n’affectaient en rien l’extraordinaire activité d’Elena, ni la normalité de sa vie religieuse, ni l’accomplissement de ses fonctions de fondatrice et de supérieure d’une nouvelle congrégation.

Les souffrances du vendredi saint se produisaient habituellement avec l'absolue exclusion de tout curieux : les portes de la maison restaient complètement closes. Le matin du samedi saint sœur Elena était déjà, comme d’habitude, à sa place de prière, de travail, de responsabilité, comme si rien n’était arrivé.

Il faut dire que ces phénomènes ne facilitèrent en rien ses rapports avec les autorités ecclésiastiques, bien au contraire, ils furent parfois source de chagrins et d’humiliations. Mais, les gens du peuple — et pas seulement du peuple — venaient vers elle pour lui demander de l’aide dans leurs tribulations et lui demander conseil avant des décisions importantes.

La “sainte moniale”

Quand quelqu’un demandait après « Sœur Elena Aiello », pour en demander l’adresse, voyait sur le visage de l’interpellé comme une expression de méconnaisse, comme quelqu’un qui entend un tel nom pour la première fois. Par contre, quand on demandait où habitait la « sœur qui sue du sang », s’entendait répondre bien vite : « Ah ! oui, vous cherchez la sainte moniale ? » Alors, la réponse était immédiate et précise. Et les années durant, jusqu’à sa mort, elle fut connu sous ce nom : “la sainte moniale“.

Guérison annoncée…

Elena annonça plusieurs fois qu’elle serait guérie de son mal d’épaule. Dans une lettre datée du 10 mai 1924 et adressée à Monseigneur Mauro, elle disait :

« Révérend Père, hier vers quinze heures, Jésus m’est apparu et m’a dit : “Ma chère fille, veux-tu guérir ou bien veux-tu souffrir ?” Alors j’ai répondu : “Souffrant avec vous, mon Jésus, on peut tout souffrir”. Et Jésus me dit encore : “Eh ! bien, je te guérirai, mais chaque vendredi, je te ferai entrer dans les ténèbres ; tu me seras ainsi plus proche”. Après m’avoir dit cela, Il disparu.

De même au docteur Adolfo Turano appelé par la famille suite à l’aggravation de l’état de l’infirme, Elena raconta que quelques jours auparavant, lors d’une vision où elle vit saint Rita, celle-ci lui annonçait sa guérison pour le 22 mai, dans le courrant de l’après-midi.

Le Docteur, étant donné l’état de sa patiente, pensa qu’elle délirait, et en fit part de ses doutes à la famille réunie.

Le 22, alors qu'Elena avec grande force d'esprit, essayait, s’aidant d’un miroir, d’enlever la vermine qui fourmillait dans la plaie de son épaule gauche, le miracle se produisit. Voici la description qu’en fit Emma, la sœur d’Elena :

« … Quand j’ai entrepris d’extraire [la vermine de son épaule], j’ai utilisé la même méthode qu’Elena : le cure-dents. J’écartais la peau qui entourait les plaies profondes et je les faisais sauter avec le cure-dents, mais plus j'en enlevais, plus il y en avait ! Ensuite je vous déposais une poudre jaune que l’on m'avaient conseillée, mais sans aucun résultat.

Elena supportait avec résignation ce tourment, mais sa foi en sainte Rita était incalculable. Elle avait la certitude de guérir ; mais tous n’étaient pas prêts à le croire. Cela faisait déjà trois ans ! Dans la nuit du 21 mai 1924, Elena rêva que sainte Rita lui disait qu’elle serait guérie le lendemain à quinze 15 heures.

La guérison

En ce mois de Marie-là, comme dans les précédents jours nous récitions le Rosaire… Le Rosaire terminé, Elena commença à prier devant la statue dont la porte qui la protégeait était ouverte. Aidée par moi, elle se leva et s’approcha de la statue. Nous eûmes l'impression que la main tendue de sainte Rita – celle qui tenait le crucifix – s'était écartée pour rejoindre la main du côté blessé d'Elena et la lui soulever, et qu'une vibration secouait la statue et sa protection. Elena, devant notre étonnement et notre incrédulité, répétait : « Je suis guérie ! Je suis guérie ! »… Lorsque je me suis penchée pour voir la plaie, elle était fermée, ne restant plus qu’une simple cicatrice.

En 1926 les souffrances des vendredis du mois de mars et du vendredi saint se répétèrent régulièrement. Le Seigneur, dans les visions, manifestait clairement à Elena qu’Il voulait que l’Oeuvre soit commencée.

Fondation de l’Ordre

En 1928, âgée alors de 33 ans, elle fonda l’Ordre des Sœurs Minimes de la Passion de Notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ. A ce temps-là, même si tous l’appelaient sœur, elle ne l’était pas encore canoniquement. Mère Elena n’a pas connut les étapes canoniques qui aujourd'hui règlent le chemin de la formation à la vie religieuse. Ce ne fut que 3 octobre 1949, alors qu’elle comptait déjà 54 ans, qu’elle fit les vœux perpétuels, entre les mains de Monseigneur Aniello Chaufour, Archevêque de Cosenza.

Le premier travail fut celui de l’éducation des enfants du peuple. On en recueillit une centaine, que l’on instruisit, éduqua à l’asile ou à l’école de broderie et que l’on prépara pour la première Communion.

Dans un premier temps, sœur Elena, aidée par sœur Gigia, ramassaient dans les maisons les enfants et les jeunes filles, les rassemblaient dans l’église de Notre-Dame de Lorette et les instruisaient des vérités religieuses et les préparaient pour la Première Communion.

L’œuvre, bénie par Dieu et encouragée par les autorités ecclésiastiques, fut applaudie par toute la ville de Cosenza qui ne manqua pas de l'encourager et de la soutenir avec la coopération de la charité chrétienne. Un an plus tard, 24 enfants étaient déjà hébergés.

Visite de la “Petite” Thérèse

Ce fut ainsi que, faisant confiance à la Providence, Elena fonda l’ordre demandée par le Seigneur et, avec la plus grande tranquillité, elle s’occupait, jour après jour à accomplir ses devoirs de religieuse et de Supérieure, vis-à-vis des petits et de la communauté. Toute la vie d'Elena fut une démonstration continue de cette foi ardente, de cette tranquillité inaltérable de caractère, qui provenaient de l’abandon complet à Dieu. Foi opérante et continuellement encrée sur la charité du Christ. Sainte Thérèse de l’Enfant-Jésus montra parfois sa complaisance envers la petite communauté qui lui était confiée. Elle se montra même un jour, toute souriante, à toutes les petites qui travaillaient dans l’atelier, tout en récitant des prières. Le tapage qui s’en suivi fit accourir sœur Elena qui se trouvait alors à l’étage. Les fillettes étaient toutes excitées parce qu’elles « avaient vu » la sainte Carmélite. Remontant à l’étage, Elena reçut la grâce d’un sourire tendre et céleste de la part de sainte Thérèse de l’Enfant-Jésus.

Subvenir aux besoins…

La pauvreté de la maison et son délabrement n’était pas chose indifférente à Elena ; mais là encore, une aide inattendue vint récompenser son indéfectible confiance en la divine Miséricorde.

En effet, le fondateur et directeur de la Caisse Rurale locale, mit à sa disposition les vieux locaux de sa banque. Sœur Elena et sœur Gigia, transférèrent alors leur l’Institut dans ces locaux, beaucoup plus vastes, ce qui leur permit d’accueillir, par la même occasion, un plus grand nombre d’orphelins et de sœurs.

Mais ce qui est le plus frappant, c’est l’aide apportée à l’œuvre par les petites gens, c’est-à-dire, les plus pauvres. Toutefois, il en fallait d’avantage pour équilibrer et assurer un budget malgré tout insuffisant pour couvrir les charges incompressibles et quotidiennes ; mais la Providence veillait et, rien de ce qui était indispensable au besoins quotidiens n’a jamais manqué.

Les billets de cinquante lires…

Le 11 septembre 1935, il n'y avait vraiment rien en cuisine pour le déjeuner…

Pendant que sœur Angéla venait demander de l’argent à la Supérieure, un prêtre entra dans la maison et demanda à célébrer la Messe, se rendant de suite dans la sacristie. Sœur Elena qui n’avait pas le moindre sou, demanda à sœur Angéla d’aller assister à la Messe, que le Seigneur, de quelque façon que ce soit, pourvoirait à ce problème du moment.

La prière fervente d’Elena, des sœurs et des orphelins fut vite exaucée par le Seigneur : après l’élévation, un parfum exquis se répandit dans toute la chapelle, comme si le bon Dieu voulait ainsi signaler l’obtention de la grâce demandée.

Elena récitait alors l’Office de la Vierge et dans son livret, entre deux images pieuses ― celle de la Madone des Douleurs et celle de saint Thérèse de l’Enfant-Jésus ―, elle trouva un billet de 50 lires. Or, elle était sûre qu’elle ne l’y avait jamais placé elle-même, depuis qu’elle s’en était servie le soir précédent.

La Messe terminée, elle remis à sœur Angéla les 50 lires, pour les dépenses de la journée. Puis, elle retourna dans la chapelle, avec les sœurs et les enfants, pour remercier le Seigneur de les avoir exaucé et de « refaire le même prodige le lendemain, afin de prouver qu’il ne s’agissait aucunement d’un oubli, mais d’une vraie grâce accordée et, que les 50 lires avaient été réellement envoyées par la Providence ».

Le soir même, lorsque la Communauté se réuni pour les dernières prières, le même parfum se répandit dans la chapelle. Les sœurs ― avec foi, mais aussi quelque curieusité naturelle ― ouvrirent de nouveau le livret et entre les deux images pieuses elles trouvèrent un autre billet de cinquante lires, avec un petit message, écrit au crayon vert dans le rond blanc : « 50+50=100 » et quelques lettres de l'alphabet grec.

Le lendemain matin, Elena raconta l’épisode à son confesseur, le chanoine Mazzuca, lequel voulut examiner le billet de cinquante lires, mais le message de la veille avait disparu.

En 1934, à la veille de la fête de saint Joseph, on devait payer l’achat d’un quintal d’huile. Sœur Elena ― qui n’avait pas la somme requise pour cet achat ― rassembla ses orphelins autour de l’autel et, ensemble, ils prièrent ce grand Saint, Chef de la Sainte Famille de Nazareth, de venir à leur aide. Et, cette foi ― qui « ferait déplacer les montagnes» ― fut exaucée.

En effet, le soir même, un bienfaiteur se présenta à l’Institut et offrit à Elena la somme exacte dont elle avait besoin pour s’acquitter de sa dette.

Mais, ces faits sont courants au sein de cette « Maison demandée par le Seigneur ».

Un jour ― cela se passa dans l’actuelle Maison Généralice, en 1937 ― Elena se rendit compte qu’il manquait du pain et, mentalement elle adressa une prière fervente au Seigneur : au même moment un garde municipal frappa à la porte et remit gracieusement à l’Institut 36 kg de pain, réquisitionné le matin même.

La reconnaissance officielle

En janvier 1948, par un décret émanant du Secrétariat de la Sacrée Congrégation pour les Religieux, l’Institut des Sœurs Minimes de la Passion de Notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ fut élevé au rang de Congrégation de Droit Pontifical. L’Institut obtînt ainsi la reconnaissance juridique, par un Décret Présidentiel du 8 juillet 1949.

Sœur Elena ouvrit ― à divers endroits, en Italie ― dix-huit maisons.

Pendant plusieurs années les Sœurs eurent une Maison à Pentone (Catanzaro), ouverte le 10 février 1952, avec asile enfantin et laboratoire de coupe, couture et broderie.

Elles en eurent une autre ― pendant peu de temps ― à Pietrapaola, qu’elles quittèrent le 31 août 1953.

Partout, aux activités spécifiques de la Congrégation (éducation des enfants), les Sœurs, toujours unies à la Maison Généralice, oeuvraient dans les paroisses, enseignant le catéchisme, participant à l’action catholique et favorisant la « Messe de l’enfant ».

La lettre à Benito Mussolini

La renommée de sainteté de la « sainte moniale » était telle que le Préfet Guido Palmardita parla de sœur Elena à Benito Mussolini, qui s'en intéressa vivement et envoya même une aide sensible à la Maison de Cosenza. Ceci est un précédent qui explique la perplexité créée chez le Duce par la lettre que sœur Elena lui fit parvenir à la veille de la Seconde Guerre Mondiale. Cette lettre fut publiée le 19 Mars 1956 par le « Journal d'Italie ». « Cosenza, 23 Avril 1940.

« Au Chef du Gouvernement Benito Mussolini, Duce,

Je viens à Vous au nom de Dieu pour vous dire ce que le Seigneur m'a révélé et qu'il veut de vous. Je ne voulais pas écrire, mais hier, 22, le Seigneur m'est apparu de nouveau en m'imposant de vous faire savoir ce qui suit :

“Le monde est en ruine à cause du grand nombre de péchés et particulièrement ceux d’impureté qui sont arrivés à leur comble devant la Justice de mon Père céleste.

Donc, tu devras souffrir et être victime expiatrice pour le monde et particulièrement pour l’Italie, où se trouve le siège de mon Vicaire. Mon Règne est un règne de paix ; le monde, quant à lui, est en guerre.

Ceux qui gouvernent les peuples sont obnubilés par l’acquisition de nouveaux territoires ! Pauvres aveugles !... Ils ne savent pas que là où Dieu est mise à l’écart il ne peut y avoir de conquête ! Dans leur cœur il n’y a que méchanceté et ils ne font que m’outrager et me mépriser ! Ils sont des démons de discorde, des destructeurs des peuples et cherchent à renverser, dans ce terrible flagelle l’Italie, où Dieu se trouve au milieu de tant d’âmes et où réside son Vicaire, le Pasteur Angélique.

La France, très chère à mon Cœur, à cause de ses si nombreux péchés, tombera vite en ruines et sera à son tour ravagée comme Jérusalem ingrate. En Italie, parce que le siège de mon Vicaire s’y trouve, j’ai envoyé Benito Mussolini, pour la sauver de l’abîme vers lequel elle se précipitait, autrement, elle se trouverait dans les mêmes conditions que la Russie. Au milieu de tant de dangers je l’ai toujours sauvé ; maintenant il doit maintenir l’Italie hors de la guerre, parce que l'Italie est civile et est le siège de mon Vicaire sur la terre. S’il fait cela je lui accorderai des faveurs extraordinaires et je ferai que toutes les autres Nations s’allient à lui. Il a par contre décidé de déclarer la guerre, mais il faut qu’il sache que s’il ne l’empêche pas, il sera puni par ma Justice !”.

Voilà ce que m’a dit le Seigneur. Ne pensez surtout pas, ô Duce, que je m’occupe de politique. Je ne suis qu’une pauvre sœur occupée à l’éducation des petits abandonnés et qui prie beaucoup pour votre salut et le salut de notre Patrie.

Je suis, avec une sincère estime,

Sœur Elena Aiello ».

Et le rappel…

La lettre fut remise à la sœur du Duce, Edwige Mancin Mussolini, le 6 mai 1940 ; et elle-même la remit à Mussolini quelques jours plus tard.

Le 15 mai 1943, Mère Elena envoya à Edwige Mussolini la lettre suivante :

« Excellence,

Mon long silence vous a peut-être fait penser que je vous avais oubliée, alors que je pense à vous chaque jour dans mes pauvres prières, en suivant toujours les douloureux événements de notre belle Italie.

Nous nous trouvons hors de Cosenza, à cause des bombardements. La barbarie ennemie a épanché sa haine, en lâchant des bombes sur la ville de Cosenza, causant dévastation, douleur et morts parmi la population civile.

Je me trouvais au lit, prise de souffrances : trois bombes sont tombées près de notre Institut, mais le Seigneur, par son infinie bonté et par sa miséricorde, nous a sauvées.

Afin de tenir les enfants éloignés du danger de nouvelles incursions, nous nous sommes réfugiés à Montalto Uffugo, mon pays natal, où nous ne sommes certes pas à l’aise, mais nous offrons tout cela au Seigneur, pour le salut de l’Italie.

La raison de cette lettre et celle de me tourner une nouvelle fois vers vous, comme au mois de mai 1940, lorsque lors ce que je vins à Rome, présentée par la Baronne Ruggi, pour vous délivrer, dans un écrit, les révélations que j’ai eues du Seigneur, en ce qui concerne le Duce.

Rappelez-vous, quand le 6 mai de 1940 nous disions que le Duce avait prit la décision de faire la guerre, alors que le Seigneur, par ma lettre, lui faisait savoir qu’il devait sauver l’Italie de la guerre, autrement il subirait les rigueurs de la divine Justice ?

“Au milieu de tant de dangers ― disait Jésus ― je l’ai toujours sauvé ; maintenant il doit maintenir l’Italie hors de la guerre, parce que l'Italie est civile et est le siège de mon Vicaire sur la terre. S’il fait cela je lui accorderai des faveurs extraordinaires et je ferai que toutes les autres Nations s’allient à lui. Il a par contre décidé de déclarer la guerre, mais il faut qu’il sache que s’il ne l’empêche pas, il sera puni par ma Justice !”

Ah !... si le Duce avait écouté les mots de Jésus, l'Italie ne se serait pas trouvée maintenant dans une aussi triste situation ! ... Je pense que le Duce doit être très attristé de voir l’Italie, un jardin fleuri, transformée en désert, bondé de souffrances et de morts

Mais pourquoi continuer cette guerre terriblement cruelle, si Jésus a dit que personne n’aurait la vraie victoire ?

C’est pourquoi, ma très chère Donna Edwige, je vous demande de dire en mon nom au Duce que celui-ci est le dernier avertissement que le Seigneur lui envoie. Il pourra encore se sauver s’il met tout entre les mains du Saint-Père. S’il ne fait pas cela ― disait le Seigneur ― bientôt la divine Justice tombera sur lui. Même les autres Chefs d’État qui n'écouteront pas les avis et les directives de mon Vicaire seront atteints et punis de ma Justice. Vous souvenez-vous, quand le 7 juillet de l’année dernière vous me demandiez ce qu’il adviendrait au Duce. Et je vous ai répondu que s’il ne se maintenait pas allié au Pape, il finirait pire encore que Napoléon ? Maintenant je vous répète les mêmes mots : Si le Duce ne sauve pas l'Italie en se remettant à ce que lui conseillera et dira de faire le Saint-Père, bien vite il tombera. Même Bruno demande le salut de l’Italie et celui de votre frère.

Le Seigneur dit souvent que l'Italie sera sauvée par le Pape, victime expiatrice de ce flagelle, et qu’il n’y aura pas d’autre voie pour la paix et le salut des peuples en dehors de ce qui sera tracé par le Saint-Père.

Chère Donna Edwige, réfléchissez bien à tout ce qu’a dit le Seigneur et qui s’est parfaitement réalisé. Qui a causé la ruine de l’Italie ? N’est-ce pas le Duce qui n’a pas voulu écouter les paroles de Notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ ?

Il pourra encore y remédier, en faisant ce que dit le Seigneur. Quant à moi, je continuerai de prier ».

Les visiteurs… vivants et morts

Les personnes qui venaient voir Mère Elena, étaient de plus en plus nombreuses et venaient de plus en plus loin. Elles venait cherchez auprès d’elle un rayon de lumière à leurs angoisses, un soulagement à leurs douleurs, une parole de foi à leur abattement apparemment sans issu.

Elle savait écouter silencieuse la manifestation des âmes en peine, et savait à quel moment et comment leur parler. Elle ne cherchait point à enfermer ou à noyer la peine dans l’oubli, mais plutôt à lui donner une assise et à l'anoblir par la foi et par l'espérance. Le plus souvent on recourait à sœur Elena alors que la mésaventure n’était encore qu’une menace. Alors elle priait et promettait les prières de ses enfants, disposant les esprits tourmentés à l’espérance ou à la résignation.

Voilà pourquoi les bienfaiteurs se sentaient toujours des débiteurs envers « 'la sainte moniale » : ils recevaient d’elle bien plus qu’ils ne pourraient jamais lui offrir, ou offrir à l’Institut.

Combien de familles confiaient à sœur Elena, comme s’il s’agissait d’un paratonnerre, leurs souffrances et leurs problèmes ! Combien grande était la confiance qu’ils déposaient en elle et dans la valeur inestimable de ses humbles prières !

Il n’était pas rare qu’elle parle des visites, des entretiens ou des colloques qu’elle avait eus pendant la nuit, avec des défunts qui de leur vivant avaient eu des rapports particuliers avec elle ou avec l’Institut.

Ce fut ainsi que, vingt jours après le décès d’une personne de sa connaissance ― la mère du prêtre don Franco ― et qu’elle trouva assise dans sa chambre, elle parla tranquillement pendant environ une vingtaine de minutes.

Un matin, très tôt, toute la Maison Mère fut réveillée par un grand bruit, comme un grand coup qui aurait ouvert la porte de la chambre de sœur Elena. Accourus en hâte, ils trouvèrent la mère très calme, comme habituellement qui se mit à leur raconter la visite qu’elle venait de recevoir :

Il s’agissait de feu don Vincenzo Donnarumma, ex-directeur spirituel de la Congrégation, qui était venu la remercier, ainsi que toute la Communauté, pour les intenses prières adressées à Dieu pour le salut de son âme.

La pensée de la patrie céleste était continue chez sœur Elena qui parlait souvent de sa propre mort. En 1961 aux habituelles souffrances physiques vint s’ajouter une forte fièvre continue, que les médecins ne réussirent pas à expliquer et à éliminer.

La mort

Le 12 juin 1961 Mère Elena fut transportée à l’Hôpital San Giovanni, à Rome. Dans la nuit du 12 au 13 juin, les infirmières remarquèrent une forte odeur parfumée dans la chambre où elle était internée. Alors on lui dit : « Mère, demain c’est la fête de saint Antoine et, certainement obtiendra-t-il votre guérison ». Avec une grande sérénité, la malade répondit : « Demain, ni saint Antoine ni sainte Rita ni même la Madone ne feront de miracle.

Dimanche, 18 juin, vers deux heures environ, le Curé assisté de don Franco administra à sœur Elena l’Onction des infirmes, et ensemble récitèrent les prières pour les moribonds. Vers 5 heures 30 don Franco célébra la sainte Messe dans la Chapelle qui se trouvait presque face de la chambre de la Mère. La sainte Messe terminée, sœur Elena cessa de souffrir. Il était alors six heures dix-neuf du lundi 19 juin 1961.

Elle avait alors soixante-six ans et sa mort surprit tout le monde. Le dépouille mortelle fut affectueusement transféré dans la Chapelle, toute ornée de fleurs blanches. Puis, le 21 juin le corps arriva à Cosenza.

La nouvelle de la mort d’Elena s’était très vite répandue et la foule nombreuse vint rendre un dernier hommage à celle qu’ils aimaient si tendrement et la prier, car ils savaient bien que son intercession trouvait toujours auprès du Seigneur une issue favorablement.

SOURCE : http://voiemystique.free.fr/elena_aiello_extrait_1.htm

Beata Elena Aiello in preghiera con alcuni bambini

This saint bore the stigmata every Good Friday for 38 years

Larry Peterson - published on 07/06/18

Blessed Elena Aiello was cured of stomach cancer by St. Rita's prayers.

Elena Aiello was born in Cosenza, Italy, on April 10, 1895. She was the third of eight children born to Pasquale Aiello, a tailor by trade, and Tereseina Pagilla. Sadly and unexpectedly, Tereseina died at an early age, leaving her husband with eight children in his care.

Pasquale was a man of great faith, and he imparted this to his children. In fact, he must have been one special man because his one-year-old child died after his wife’s passing and while carrying the extra grief, Pasquale diligently plied his trade and did his best to care for the kids.

Even as a young child, Elena was devout. She practiced penance on a daily basis and offered prayers for the souls in Purgatory. She received her First Holy Communion when she was only nine (at the time the customary age to receive was 12 to 14) and received her Confirmation when she was 11 years old.

She already was feeling a call to religious life, but her father asked her to put her plans on hold because of the war (World War I began in 1915). During these war years, Elena helped refugees, assisted prisoners, nursed invalids and tended to the dying.

She never worried about the possible dangers to herself or of catching some contagious illness (this was before the age of antibiotics). She, in effect, had begun her earthly ministry on her own, before entering the convent.

After the war, Elena’s father gave her permission to enter the convent but insisted she join the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood; he gave no reason. Soon after joining the sisters, Elena was forced to leave because of a diseased shoulder that had been operated on improperly and had turned necrotic. Also, she now had stomach cancer and could not even hold down liquids.

When her doctor said she was incurable, Elena decided to turn to St. Rita for help. She told the doctor, “I will not die from this disease because St.Rita is going to make me well.”

Elena and her cousin went to a church and prayed to St. Rita begging her for a cure. Elena wrote in her notebook of how she saw flames all around St. Rita’s statue, while her cousin saw nothing. That night she dreamt of St. Rita who told her she wanted devotions held in Montalto in her honor to help rekindle the lost faith of the people.

Read more:

These astonishing miracles led to St. Rita’s canonization

Elena started a Triduum to St. Rita. St. Rita appeared to her and asked her to do a second triduum, telling her she would be cured. However, she also told her the pain in her shoulder would not go away because she had to suffer for the sins in the world. (Her spiritual director documented all these facts.) One night Elena went to bed as usual. When she awoke in the morning, she was (except for the painful shoulder) completely cured. The year was 1921.

Elena Aiello was lying in bed on Good Friday in 1923. The time was 3 p.m. Her left shoulder was screaming in pain as she prayed her devotions. Suddenly, Our Lord appeared to her dressed in a white garment and wearing a crown of thorns. Jesus asked for her consent and then removed the crown from His head and placed it on hers. Blood began to flow, and Jesus told her He wanted her to be a victim soul, asking her to suffer for the many sins committed in the world.

Elena Aiello experienced the Stigmata each Good Friday until right before her death in 1961, a period of 38 years. Doctors tried to stop the bleeding; tried to understand the bleeding; tried to diagnose the bleeding; there just was no explanation known to modern medicine.

Read more:

5 Stigmatics you might not know about

During this time Elena began having visions. Not only Jesus, but the Blessed Mother, St. Therese of Lisieux, and St. Francesco Paola also appeared to her.  In 1928 she founded a new religious order and named it Minim Sisters of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Pope Pius XII, who knew of Elena, gave pontifical approval for the order in 1949.

Lastly, the many prophecies of Elena Aiello have been documented.

Pope Benedict XVI recognized the second miracle attributable to Elena Aiello on April 2, 2011. Her beatification was in September 2011.

Blessed Elena Aiello, please pray for us.

SOURCE : https://aleteia.org/2018/07/06/this-saint-bore-the-stigmata-every-good-friday-for-38-years/

Italian mystic who predicted fall of Mussolini beatified

Sr. Elena Aiello

Rome, Italy, Sep 16, 2011 / 16:01 pm

Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints, recently beatified Elena Aiello, an Italian religious woman who bore the stigmata and foretold the fall of Benito Mussolini.

The beatification Mass took place Sept. 14 in Calabria, Italy, the hometown of Sister Aiello,

During the celebration, Cardinal Amato said the heroic testimony of her life and work helped shape the region.
 
According to L’Osservatore Romano, Cardinal Amato noted that Sr. Elena, who died at age 66, taught Catholics that “it is possible to live the Gospel to a heroic degree, it is possible then to be saints … because this land needs the spiritual beauty of the saints.”
 
He recalled that Sr. Elena founded the congregation of the Little Sisters of the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ with her philosophy of the “little way” toward holiness and her mystical participation in the Paschal mystery, with “her eyes always fixed on the crucifix.”
 
To those who said her charity toward the needy and the handicapped was “exaggerated,” Sr. Elena said, “The poor, the handicapped and the suffering are the best friends of Jesus, and in doing good to them, we are specifically loving the Lord.”
 
Her life

In March of 1922, while she was practicing the devotion of the “13 Fridays” of St. Francis of Paula in private, she received the stigmata.
 
From then on her stigmata bled every Friday in March, especially on Good Friday. She also experienced great pain and the gift of prophecy.
 
In 1928, together with Gina Mazza, she founded the Little Sisters of the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, to honor the passion of the Lord and to offer spiritual and material help to the poor.
 
Among her many prophecies, Sr. Elena foretold the tragic end of Mussolini, the Italian dictator who was executed by firing squad on April 28, 1945, after he was caught trying to escape Italy disguised as a German soldier.
 
“Do you remember when you asked me last July 7 what would happen to the Duce, and I told you that if he did not remain united to the Pope, he would have a worse end than that of Napoleon?  I repeat the same words to you now: If the Duce does not save Italy by doing everything that the Holy Father says and does, he will soon fall,” Sr. Elena said.

Sr. Elena Aiello died in 1961. 

Speaking to pilgrims on Sept. 14 after his weekly general audience, Benedict XVI said that “the Church in Italy rejoices at the elevation to the altars of such an eminently Eucharistic soul.”

“May the example and intercession of the new blessed increase everyone’s love for the Sacrament of the altar,” he concluded.

SOURCE : https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/23354/italian-mystic-who-predicted-fall-of-mussolini-beatified

Blessed Elena Aiello -Mystic, Stigmatic & Foundress

Blessed Elena Aiello (1895-1961) -Mystic, Stigmatic, Victim Soul, Prophet & Foundress of the Minim Tertiaries of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ

(Venerable Elena Aiello was declared Blessed on September 14, 2011 -Feast of the Exaultation of the Holy Cross. Because there is currently not much information in english on the Internet about her extraordinary holy life and prophecies, the webmaster was very happy when Elizabeth, a friend in Jesus, offered to write this excellent Biography. I am therefore very grateful to her for providing these edifying details of her life. May God bless and reward her for her efforts. -Editor)

The information contained in this abbreviated biography was taken from the book "The Incredible Life Story of Sister Elena Aiello, The Calabrian Holy Nun (1895-1961)". It was written by Monsignor Francesco Spadafora in Italian and was translated into English by Monsignor Angelo R. Cioffi. Published in 1964 by Theo Gaus Sons. (Those interested in obtaining this book should email the webmaster) Fr. Spadafora was a renowned biblical scholar from the Pontifical University of the Lateran in Rome. He opposed modernism and while writing this book he was also battling the modernist approach to scripture that started to gain ground at the biblical institute.

A BRIEF BIOGRAPHY ON THE LIFE OF SISTER ELENA AIELLO

-Early life

Some saints live a heroic holy life in an ordinary way and some in an extraordinary way. Sister Elena Aiello, who was the Foundress of the Minim Tertiaries of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and a contemplative soul and a martyr to suffering, was called to live both and it is through her charity that her true greatness is achieved. She was well known in Italy and much of Europe and had many visitors comparable to the crowds that visited Theresa Neumann and St. (Padre) Pio.

Elena Aiello was born in Montalto Uffugo (Consenza), Italy on Holy Wednesday during Holy Week on April 10, 1895. Her parents were Pasquale Aiello and Teresa Paglilla. During the

Procession of Rogations her mother prayed for the grace of having a baby girl and if she did, she would name her Elena and consecrate her to the Cross of Our Lord in memory of the Empress, St. Elena.

Elena lived in an exemplary Christian family. Her extremely devout family, never were given over to the practice of any vanity or entertained anything of a worldly fashion. Her mother unfortunately died at an early age and her father, now a widower and a tailor by trade was left with the care of 8 children one of which also soon died at age one.

At a very young age, Elena lived a devout life and performed penances. An incident at the age of 9 illustrates her inclination to penance. After having received her first communion and attending a retreat, she and several other girls obtained permission to wear a penitential belt. On the way to getting the belt, she had an accident which caused her to lose her two front teeth. She put her bleeding teeth in a handkerchief and continued on in haste to get her penitential belt regardless of the blood and pain.

Another time she accidentally inhaled some water she was drinking from a glass while laughing.

As a result, she experienced a constant cough for a year and a half except at night and the volume of her voice became lowered. She was given some treatments by a doctor but this caused her more pain. Eventually she prayed to Our Lady of Pompei, promising her that she would become a nun if cured. And in fact, Our Lady of Pompei appeared to her during the night and assured her that she would be healed –which she was.

Her Extraordinary Charity

Her desire to be a nun was now her goal but was forced by her father to delay it due to foreign complications which led to the 1915 World War. During this fruitful delay, she helped refugees, prisoners and nursed invalids and the dying heedless of the dangers to herself in catching any

contagious illnesses. Thus began her journey on the road to a life of charity. She particularly often hurried to the bedside of the dying who refused the sacraments. One day she met a man named Alessandro, a freemason. She tried gently to persuade him to receive the Sacraments but he firmly said, “No.” She continued to plead with him and his response was to take a bottle and fling it at her. It struck her in the neck and while holding her bleeding neck with a cloth she told him that “his soul was hanging on the edge of a precipice” and that she would not leave the room until he called for a Priest to come in. Finally the freemason became so moved by her charity, that he promised her that he would receive the Sacraments on the one condition, that she herself would assist him every day. He repented, received the Sacraments from the Priest, and she cared for him for 3 months. He died a fervent Christian bearing his sufferings with patience and resignation.

Her reputation for her charitable activity became so well known that she was called to the bedside of another freemason dying of cancer who was in great fear for having betrayed God by becoming a freemason in order to support his family. She helped him to prepare for the worthy reception of the Sacraments such as Confession and Communion.

Her desire to become a religious sister

Her father gave his consent for her to be a religious on the condition - that she join the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood. Before entering, she was prophetically told that she would not last in this Order because God had other plans in store for her. While in the Order she was put in charge of sixteen postulants. But suffering took hold of her life almost immediately which was intestinal pain and a severe pain on the left shoulder. Eventually her shoulder became one solid black mass. She was eventually operated on without any anesthetic while holding a small wooden cross and looking at a picture of Our Lady of Sorrows. The physician, good intentioned but inept, in addition to cutting flesh also cut nerves that caused her lockjaw and a vomiting spell for 40 days.

Despite the pain, Elena’s intent was to take part in the upcoming religious clothing ceremony through sheer will-power but when the Father Director saw her in such a deplorable state, he couldn’t let her go through with it. What she feared would happen, did, she was asked to leave the convent and return home. However, Elena wrote in her notebook that Our Lord asked her on two occasions to accept His own designs with complete resignation and embrace His cross. Elena left in tears not realizing the great esteem in which she was held by everyone when they observed her good-nature and patience in suffering.

Elena’s shoulder was getting worse. In fact, the doctor told her that gangrene was already setting

in. The doctor advised her father to demand compensation from the Institute, in other words, sue them. But Elena pleaded with her father to do nothing of the kind especially since she also had hopes to return to it.

Her long period of suffering began and her dream of being a sister was fading away since now she couldn’t even retain liquid food. The doctor diagnosed her with stomach cancer and told her there was no cure and that she was going to die. Her characteristic frank response to him was, “My dear doctor, it is you, who are going to die: I will not die from this disease, because St.Rita is going to make me well”.

Called to suffer in reparation for the sins of the world

On the way home, Elena stopped in a church where St. Rita was venerated to beg her for a cure. In her notebook she writes that she saw dazzling flames all around the statue and told her cousin who was next to her. Her cousin didn’t see anything. Then that night she had a dream of St. Rita who told her that she wanted devotional exercises to be held in Montalto in her honor in order to rekindle the faith of the people. You see, the saints do not want honor for themselves but always for the glory of God. Elena started a triduum and St. Rita told her to say a second one and that she would be cured but the pain in her shoulder would remain because she had to suffer for the sins of the world. Elena’s confessor and spiritual director carefully documented all of these facts.

In the process of trying to fulfill her promises to St. Rita, she experienced other spiritual phenomena. She told her confessor that Our Lord frequently admonished her to accept a new way of suffering and that He said “You are going to suffer. But fear not. Yours shall not be a malady but only the symbol of charity. I shall permit you to experience My very sadness and on Friday you will be more united to Me.” During that winter she attended a Passionist retreat which appealed to her because she was drawn to the Passion of Our Lord. She disclosed some of the instructions from Our Lord and St. Rita to the priest who gave the retreat and he enlightened and encouraged her.

As more of the news of what was happening to Elena spread, people began to discuss differing opinions about them. During this time, an extraordinary event took place which caused Elena to be known to many people far and wide. This phenomenon was to occur every year until her death.

Elena receives the Crown of Thorns and the Stigmata

On the First Friday in March about 3:00 pm in the afternoon, while lying in bed due to the cancerous pain in her left shoulder, and while reading the ninth Friday in honor of St. Francis of Paola, Our Lord appeared to her in a white garment and wearing a crown of thorns. On being assured of her consent, Our Lord removed the crown from His Head and placed it on Elena’s head. Then a large quantity of blood started to flow. Our Lord told her that He wished her to suffer for the conversion of sinners and for the many sins of impurity. He wanted her to be a victim in order to appease Divine Justice.

One day, a family servant named Rosaria was about to leave the house when she heard wailing from Elena’s room. When she went into the room she saw Elena covered in blood and thought that someone had killed Elena. She ran to tell the family. The family, on seeing so much blood but Elena still alive, called the Doctors and several Priests. Upon arriving, the doctor tried to stop the blood, but it kept oozing out of her head. Then at last, after three hours it suddenly stopped.

Everyone was confused and badly shaken. The next Friday the doctor came again and saw the exact same thing take place. Her Confessor thinking it might be religious obsession took her Crucifix away from her and forbade her to read any books about the Passion of Jesus. Despite this it occurred again. The mother, at the request of her son a doctor, came to visit Elena and wiped some blood from her forehead with a handkerchief. She folded it because she thought it was contagious and presented it to him so for examination. When the doctor opened it, the handkerchief was completely clean and the doctor converted and was baptized as a result.

Elena complained to Our Lord on account of the bleeding but Our Lord told her in a vision that it was He who wished her to suffer as a victim for the sins of the world. She shouldn’t resent the fact that her crucifix was taken away from her because it was present in her heart. As a proof of this, He would give her a visible sign by making the wounds of His Passion to appear in her body. Elena, whose body became one mass of wounds, was told by Our Lord on another Friday, “You too must be like Me, because you are to be the victim for many a sinner and you must appease My Father’s Justice for their salvation.”

About five o’clock Jesus greeted her: “My child, behold how much I suffer. I have shed all my blood for the world and yet everything goes to ruin. Nobody pays any attention to its countless crimes. See how bitterly I suffer for the wrongs and contempt I receive from so many wicked and immoral people.” Elena replied: “And what can I do, my Jesus? Unless You come in person, no one will believe me.” Jesus replied: “There are so many sinners whose obstinacy is the determinant cause for My Justice. But, my child, don’t feel discouraged, because you will see Me again about one o’clock, and tell your Confessor I will give him a sign on Friday at 2 o’clock.” Having said this, He disappeared. Her Confessor finally became convinced that the mystical phenomena was from Our Lord.

On the following Friday, in addition to the other wounds on her hands and feet, the wound on her side appeared. On Good Friday at noon the phenomenon commenced and at six o’clock a procession of the Passion was passing under her balcony. Elena was able to perfectly get up from her bed and view the procession in the sight of her Confessor which was the sign Our Lord gave to him. When the statue of the Corpus of Jesus was being carried under the balcony, Elena became once again unconscious with tears of blood dripping from her eyes. Some of the blood fell on the head of her sister Ida who then complained to Jesus about the heavy cross He had given to her family on account of the large amount of people calling on them and upsetting the peace of their home. The next night Ida had a dream in which Our Lord told her not to complain further because Elena was bound to suffer for many sinners. Ida understood that this was Elena’s mission and obeyed Our Lord’s wishes.

All of the extraordinary activity didn’t interfere with her duties as the new Foundress and Superior General of a new Religious Community. No one was permitted to view her Good Friday agony out of curiosity and on Holy Saturday, she resumed her work and responsibilities as if nothing happened to her.

In addition to her physical sufferings she endured the bitter experience of humiliation because people kept calling on “the holy nun who sweats blood” to help them with their important business decisions.

Several times Elena foretold that she was going to be cured of the painful wound on her shoulder. She told her Confessor, “…Jesus appeared to me saying: “My beloved daughter, do you wish to get well or to go on suffering?” “My Jesus,” I replied, “one feels so good when suffering with You. However, do whatever You wish.” “Well,” Jesus went on, “You shall recover, but I want you to know that every Friday I shall permit you to be in a state of depression, so that you may stay closer to Me.” So saying, He disappeared.

One day she was being helped to pull out the worms from her shoulder wound with splinters. She endured the torture with great faith in St. Rita who she believed, without a doubt, would cure her. But few people could believe it with her; after all she suffered this for three long years.

That night, St. Rita told her in a dream that she would be cured the next day at 3:00 pm. The next day she was much weakened and had to be helped to be seated on the sofa in front of St. Rita’s statue along with some other people. The people began the Rosary in front of the statue and Elena could be heard in a voice hardly audible: “From your sanctuary of mercy, oh saint of the impossible, and patron of desperate cases, do turn your eyes of mercy on me, and behold the anguish overwhelming me, the misfortune and misery gripping me: for there is no other one I may turn to. Withered is the source of my tears; even prayer is dying on my poor lips. Hope is all that is left to me. O Saint Rita, powerful and glorious, come to my aid, and, in this direst need, grant me the grace I beg of you! You have promised it to me: You must grant it to me. You must not permit that I be called a liar!”

All of a sudden, Elena cried out, “I am cured, I am cured.” She showed the astonished but skeptical people her shoulder and it was perfectly sealed with only a scar remaining. St. Rita had kept her promise that she would be cured but that the pain would remain for the salvation of souls.

Becomes a Foundress

Elena eventually would meet a woman named Gigia who had come to seek her advice about a religious vocation. She too had been discharged from an order because of an illness. They talked and become close and Elena realized that Gigia would be called to assist her in the charitable work she was beginning. At first Gigia was doubtful that Elena, an invalid herself would even be capable to help others.

The miraculous intercession of St Therese of Lisieux

One day Elena went on a bus and was pondering where she was going to find the house she need for her work. She had beseeched her patron saints and particularly St. Therese of the Infant Jesus. A young Carmelite nun walked on the bus and the two struck up a conversation. The nun asked her if she was looking for a house. Elena, thinking it was one of the sisters in the area, kissed her hand and told her how hard it was to find one. The nun smiled sweetly and said, “Come, I will show you the house.”

When they got off the bus, the nun pointed to a balcony and said the woman has an offer of 260 lire but will take 250 from you. When Elena looked back at the nun, she noticed there was an unusual glow around her and then saw a bouquet of roses cascading from the crucifix in her hand. Suddenly the nun faded away and Elena recognized that she was speaking to St. Therese of Lisieux and full of excitement went to speak to the landlady. Everything was exactly as St. Therese had said. The landlady accepted the 250 lire. Elena told the Archbishop and he suggested that Elena name their first house in Cosenza after St. Therese.

It is not clear exactly when Elena officially became as religious sister but from this point on we refer to Elena as Sister Elena. Sister Elena and Sister Gigia settled into their new house. They began their apostolate which was to offer religious instruction to the children in their district who had been neglected. Their zeal was great to extend their work everywhere and so one day Sister Elena went into a protestant church assembly and in the presence of the minister exhorted the people to return to the Catholic Church. They sisters’ zeal resulted in having sinful marriages validated, children baptized and older people were helped to finally receive Holy Communion.

Together they succeeded in converting a 14--old rascal who was reputed to be known as “Ciccio the Thief” to become converted, live a fervent life and to die a holy death at a young age.

Their work was developing so rapidly that they were forced to look for a new home. The sufferings of Sister Elena continued and Sister Gigia had no choice but to lock Sister Elena in the attic at times to keep her away from the attention of the people who knew about her extraordinary happenings. Even the police, after pleading with the Archbishop, were not permitted entry.

It was suggested to the nuns that it might be to their advantage to move to another larger house. The house was poor and only had one piece of furniture.

During this time they were pondering what kind of work of charity they should start with. One day a man came with a little orphan girl, presented her to the sisters and pledged a monthly sum for her room and board. A day after this Sister Elena had a dream that she saw a man in black holding three girls and looking for a nun. When he saw Sister Elena he begged her to take the girls. The next morning she saw the man with the three girls asking for help exactly as in her dream. Deeply moved, Sister Elena embraced the three little girls and took them home with her. Gradually another little mentally handicapped girl was brought to her and the Monsignor expressed his satisfaction with the sisters’ activities and blessed their work and holy desires in the name of the Archbishop. The sisters’ mission was now officially to take abandoned orphan girls.

Sister Elena fulfilled her duties calmly and with great faith, supernatural charity and complete trust in God’s providence. Sister trained the ladies who were to join her community and selected, as the distinguishing mark, the charity of St. Francis of Paola, with the emblem of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and named her Institute “Sister Minims of the Passion of Our Lord.”

The number of little orphans climbed to 26 and two more aspirants came to the order. A woman doctor demanded that an investigation be made of the “woman with TB who was boarding old people and little abandoned girls”. Upon examination of the situation, the accusations were found to be without warrant and completely false.

St Therese makes more appearences

One time St. Therese of the Infant Jesus appeared to several of the little ones who were praying while sewing in the work room. Sister Elena rushed downstairs to the shouts, “We have seen the Carmelite Saint!” Upon arriving, Sister Elena too saw the saint smiling at her.

The third intercession of St Therese was in fact a double miracle. God's Divine Providence never failed to take care of what was needed for the orphanage, even by means of extraordinary interventions. On September 11, 1935, Sister Elena spent a painful night. It so happened that there was no food on hand in the kitchen for the noon meal. Sister Angela asked Mother Elena for some money to purchase food, and Elena replied that she had none, but encouraged Sister Angela to trust in God and that He would surely provide for His children. In the mean­time a Priest came in, requested to say Mass and walked to the Sacristy right away. Not having anything on hand, Sister Elena told Sister Angela to first go and hear Mass and that somehow the Lord would provide. Elena's prayer in union with that of the Sisters and of the orphan girls, was quickly heard. For right after the Elevation, a strong fragrance spread through the Chapel.

Sister Elena was at the time reciting the Office of the Blessed Virgin from the second page of her prayer book. Suddenly she spotted a 50 lire bill between the prayer card of Our Lady of Sorrows and that of St. Teresa. She was positive that nothing of the kind had previously been in her prayer book as she had re­cited the very same prayer, on that very same page, on the previ­ous evening.

Anyway, after Mass and after handing the 50 lire bill for the day's needs, Sister Elena with all the girls went back to the Chapel, and there within earshot, she prayed to God to let her find another 50 lire in her prayer book at the same place as an unquestionable proof that the first 50 lire had not been forgotten by someone, but that they were actually the gift of Divine Provi­dence. During the day, some of the bigger girls and even one or two of the Sisters went searching through that prayer book which had been left at its place. In the evening, when the Community assembled in the Chapel for the evening prayers, while the "Con­fiteor" was being recited, the same kind of a fragrance as in the morning was felt. Elena got greatly excited. She didn't dare open her prayer book, but passed it on to Sister Teresa to do so. Sister obeyed and there were the additional 50 lire between the two prayer cards, at the same place. In the white circle there was a green handwriting, 50 + 50 = 100 with some letters of the Greek alphabet.

The following morning Elena related the incident to her Confessor, Canon Mazzuca, who insisted on looking at the 50 lire banknotes-No. 01670 and 0039. However, the inscription on the white circle had completely disappeared. Father Benjamin Mazza, who wished to retain those banknotes, exchanged them with one for 100 lire, which is now in the possession of Blessed Elena’s Community.

God protects His children

A man was peddling cheese as usual and was accompanied by his little daughter who was in rags and forced her to go begging through the town. One day this scoundrel was just about to sell his own daughter for 30 lire when Sister Elena overheard them bargaining and notified the Counselor across the street to ask for his help. The two bargaining men suddenly vanished leaving the little girl alone. Sister Elena promptly took her home and was ordered by the district attorney to keep the girl despite any possible protest from her father which in fact did happen when he tried to forcibly abduct the little girl. Sister Elena however was successful in wresting her from his hands.

The sisters endured many trials which is the lot of all saints-in-the-making. Once again Sister Elena dreamed of her house being quarantined during an epidemic and it happened. However, everyone was eventually able to return to the house and resume their routine work.

Sister Elena’s order admitted more aspirants and after having gone to Rome she obtained the necessary approvals for her Order according to the steps required for the process. Her sufferings increased with greater intensity. During that time people succeeded in getting into Elena’s room to uncover her “occult powers”, “diabolical plots”, and “fake events”. People, the kind you never find inside a church or never praying before the altar, often met in the sacristies for the sole purpose of spreading gossip and detraction to try and belittle her Institute and to connect her to some sad incidents that had caused pain to the Monsignor and Archbishop. The Archbishop advised Sister Elena to file a lawsuit against the lead defamer. But the defamer made a full confession to the Archbishop and asked for Sister Elena’s forgiveness who withdrew the lawsuit.

However, afterward another Shepherd was confronted with more grievances and accusations against that “encroaching Nun who loved to pass as a saint and preyed on the people’s good faith to the harm of other Institutes as well as by her phenomena by the distribution of St. Rita’s concoctions and by her subterfuge of so-called girls’ welfare”. The Archbishop listened benevolently to Sister Elena and decisively put an end to the stealthy maneuvers and upheld the rights of truth and justice.

The Graces of God -Miracles of Divine Providence

Divine Providence always came to the aid of Sister Elena who often did not have the money to pay for things. She humbled herself and sought help from benevolent persons and begged of her creditors to be patient and understanding. One time the electricity was cut off due to lack of employment. Elena went to the company’s office and asked for understanding and the director ordered the current to be restored with an order that Sister Elena “was not to be disturbed” anymore due to lack of payment.

The donations that that she did receive were unfortunately disproportionate to the daily expenses necessary to run their Order. Once when they ran out of food, Sister Elena’s sisters and the orphans prayed for help and after the elevation of the Blessed Sacrament they smelled a strong fragrance throughout the church. Sister Elena knew that their prayer was answered. While reciting the Office of the Blessed Virgin she suddenly spotted a 50 lire bill between the prayer card of Our Lady of Sorrows and that of St. Therese. The amazing thing was that she had been on the same page the previous evening and it wasn’t there before.

Sister Elena used the money for the day’s needs and then went back into the chapel and prayed aloud in front of everyone for another 50 lire as a sign that it was indeed from Divine Providence and not left by someone else and it happened again in the same book.

Another time they prayed to the great saint St. Joseph for assistance; for a payment was due for some oil. The exact amount arrived needed to pay for the oil. On another day bread was needed for the Institute. It was suggested to sister to buy it on credit. Sister already had credit on the books for a long time and didn’t have the courage to do it. She came home empty handed.

At mealtime there was no bread and so she prayed. Suddenly there was a knock at the door. A municipal guard delivered 36 kilograms of bread to them that had been picked up as a result of a violation that morning.

On another occasion the little orphans told her that pasta was the only food in the kitchen. Sister Elena caressed them and led them to the chapel saying, “Just pray and you will see that God will provide.” Within a few minutes Sister Elena was sent for because the City Questor had just brought in 18 kilograms of fish. On the way back to the Institute, Sister Elena told the officer the story who was amazed and even more so when he saw the little orphans in the chapel still praying for the same intention.

All through the years the Institute continued to experience a mingling of setbacks, hardships, triumphs, uncertainty, growth and trials of all kinds that besets the life of any new community but it was all sustained by God and the leadership of that “extraordinarily suffering but dynamic woman.” Finally after interminable waiting, Sister Elena received the joyful news from

Rome that her Institute of Sister Minims of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ was now a Congregation of Pontifical Right. But the trials still didn’t end here. There was an attempt to undermine Sister Elena’s authority as Mother General and to get her into early retirement and replace her with an inexperienced nun. The sisters were deeply hurt by manifold indignities heaped upon Sister Elena. Despite Sister Elena’s own hurt, she continued to maintain her virtue and the discipline and harmony of the community.

There was also an attempt to deny that their official recognition had any importance. The greatly distressed, bedridden Mother General arose with difficulty and on behalf of her community strenuously fought back against the constant barrage of absurd defamations campaigning against the community. She expressed her desire to journey to Rome to inform the Holy Father himself of what was happening. She was able to meet with Cardinal Montini, the Vatican Secretariat of State who was to become Pope Paul VI. He graciously listened to her appeal at her bedside in Rome and he promised to present her petition to the Holy Father himself and encouraged her “to trust in God and patiently endure whatever He disposes for her sanctification and the performance of His Work”. It was determined that the Institute was far more than a simple congregation of diocese right.

Prophecies revealed to Elena

In 1940, Sister Elena was directed by Our Lord to take a more public role and to deliver a message to Premier Benito Mussolini, telling him not to join with Hitler in World War II. Otherwise, Italy would suffer a terrible defeat and Mussolini would be punished by Divine Justice and have a speedy downfall. But he ignored the warning, and all that was foretold came to pass.

THIS LETTER WAS DELIVERED ON MAY 6, 1940 TO THE DUCE’S SISTER, DONNA EDVIGE WHO HANDED IT TO MUSSOLINI.

To the Head of the Government, Benito Mussolini

Duce:

I come to you in God’s Name to tell you what God has revealed to me and what He wants from you. I was hesitating to write, but yesterday, April 22, the Lord appeared to me again, and bid me to tell you what follows:

“The world is going to ruin because of its many sins, particularly the sins of impurity, which have presently exceeded the very limits before the Justice of My Heavenly father. Therefore, you shall suffer and shall become an atoning victim for the world, especially for Italy where My Vicar on earth resides. My Kingdom is a Kingdom of peace: whereas the whole world is entangled in war. The Nations’ Rulers are bent on acquiring new possessions: Poor fools! They don’t know that, when there is no God, there is no victory either. Their hearts are filled with wickedness. All they do is to outrage, ridicule and despise Me. They are like devils sowing dissension, subverting people and seeking to drive into the sinful scourge of war even Italy, where God is pleased with many souls, and where My Vicar on earth, the Pastor Angelicas, resides. France, so dear to My Heart, shall soon fall to ruin on account of her many sins, and shall be overthrown and ravaged like the ungrateful Jerusalem. I sent Benito Mussolini to preserve Italy from the precipice because of My Vicar on earth: otherwise, by now, she would be worse off than Russia”.

“I have always shielded him from many dangers. He must now keep Italy out of war, because Italy is a civilized country and it is the dwelling place of My Vicar on earth. If he is willing to do this, he shall receive many favors and I shall make all Nations respect him. But since he has made up his mind to go to war, tell him that, if he doesn’t prevent it, he will be punished by My Divine Justice”.


It is the Lord who has told me all this. Please, Duce, do not think for a moment that I am interested in politics. I am just an ordinary Nun looking after the welfare of abandoned little girls, and I am earnestly praying for your safety as well as the safety of our country.

Respectfully,

Sister Elena Aiello

3 YEARS LATER SISTER ELENA WROTE TO MUSSOLINI’S SISTER, DONNA EDVIGE

My dear Donna Edvige:

“You may have thought that, on account of my long silence, I may have forgotten you, whereas I remember you every day in my prayers. I am following the painful events now taking place in our beautiful Italy. We have left Cosenza on account of the bombardments.

The enemy’s barbarity has vented all its hatred by bombing the City of Cosenza thus bringing desolation and death to the population. I was bedridden because of my illness: three bombs fell close to our Institute, but the Lord, in His infinite goodness and mercy, has protected us. We have taken refuge at Montalto Uffugo, my native town, in order to protect the little girls from the danger of new raids.

Naturally, we are far from comfortable, but we are offering up all to God for the preservation of Italy. The purpose of this letter is that I wish to make another appeal to you, just as I did in the month of May 1940, when I was introduced to you in Rome by Baroness Ruggi for the purpose of giving you in writing whatever God had revealed to me concerning the Duce.

If you recall, on May 6, 1940, we were saying that the Duce had made up his mind to go to war, whereas, the Lord had warned him in my letter to keep Italy out of war, otherwise His Divine Justice would strike him. “I have always rescued him -said Jesus- from many a danger: now it is up to him to save Italy from the scourge of war because Italy is the dwelling place of My Vicar on earth. If he complies with My request, I will bestow great blessings on him and I shall cause all Nations to respect him, but, since he is determined to go to ward, I want him to know
that, if he persists, he will be severely punished by My Justice.”

Ah! Had the duce only listened to Jesus’ words, Italy wouldn’t be in such a terrible plight now…I know that the Duce must feel quite dejected on seeing Italy, once a flourishing garden, now a barren field filled with diseases and deaths. But, why persist in this terribly cruel ward, when Jesus has stated that no one is going to achieve true victory?

Therefore, my dear Donna Edvige, please tell the Duce, in my name, that this is God’s last warning to him. He is still in time to save himself by leaving all things in the hands of the Holy Father. Should be unwilling to do so – said the Lord – divine Justice shall quickly reach him.

The other rulers also, who play deaf to the counsel and directives of My Vicar, shall be overtaken and punished by My Justice.

Do you recall that, on July 7th of last year, you asked me what was in store for the Duce?

Didn’t I reply that, if he didn’t listen to the Pope, he would wind up worse than Napoleon? Now I am going to repeat the very same words, “If the Duce is unwilling to rescue Italy and ignore the Holy Father, he will have a speedy downfall.” Even Bruno is begging his father from the other world to save both Italy and himself. Quite often Our Lord says that Italy will be protected on account of the Pope, who is the atoning victim for this disaster. Therefore, the only way to achieve true peace in the world is the one that the Holy Father shall indicate.

My dear Donna Edvige, please remember that whatever Our Lord revealed to me has been perfectly fulfilled. Who has been the cause of all this ruin to Italy? Is it not the Duce’s fault?

Didn’t he refuse to listen to the warnings of Our Lord Jesus Christ? Even now, he could somehow counteract the evil done provided he be willing to do what God wants of him. As for me I shall continue to pray for that intention.

Respectfully,

Sister Elena Aiello

The losses during the war and bombardments were heavy. Many of the sewing and knitting machines that the orphan girls were trained to use and had won prizes at several exhibitions were destroyed in the war. The reconstruction period was slow but benefactors helped by making generous donations.

One day Sister Elena was crossing the street with a little girl and was hit by a bus barely saving the little girl. Sister sustained several fractures and could hardly stand and was in a great deal of pain. She was unable to retain any food again but longed for Holy Communion daily. She wasn’t able to get to the Mass chapel and had to have communion brought to her. On feast days Mass was celebrated in her cell.

She continued to conduct the business of the house from her bed dictating letters and responding to correspondence from all over Italy and even North America. Many people begged for her prayers and sought advice. She was particularly noted for her charity in her letters that brought consolation to the downhearted. She was always available to all those who came to see her about the important business of the Institute or who were seeking relief in their trials or hopeless situation. When people ran to her when in misfortune, like a good mother, she never minded the time: she aimed only at preparing people to accept suffering and misfortune in a spirit of resignation to the loving Will of God. She knew how to listen and when to speak. She was a truly compassionate soul. She kindled the flame of resignation and hope in anguished souls.

Many families also believed that she acted as a lightening rod for their safety, so great was their confidence in her.

Visit from a soul in Purgatory

Sister confided to her director that she had visits at night from faithful departed souls who had association with her and the Institute. One time the door of sister’s cell blasted open with a loud explosion that was heard by everyone. When they rushed upstairs Sister told them it was just Father P.D. who had come up to thank her and the community for the fervent prayers said for the repose of his soul.

On one occasion an orphan boy was about to be transferred by a Monsignor to another Institute. A lady whose son Franco had died dreamed about her late mother who told her not to weep but to go to Sister’s Institute where there was another boy named Franco. The couple came and made legal arrangements to adopt him. Years later Franco came back to visit Sister Elena who remarked how he grew up to look like a real gentleman.

The Holy Face of Jesus appears in blood on a wall panel next to Elena

It was damp and cold in the bedroom where the mystical phenomenon of Sister Elena occurred. A masonite panel was put on the wall to protect her from it. On Good Friday drops of blood squirted from her face onto the panel then dried up. One day after praying for St. Michael’s intercession, suddenly a flash of light appeared on the panel with more blood. Blood also soaked the coverlet close to the panel. They were astonished to see the forms of a cross, a crown and a heart form on the linen. Blood continued to flow from the panel and even though Sister Elena washed the panel with water seven times the blood continued to flow during the day especially on Feast days of Our Lord such as the Holy Cross, the Sacred Heart, the Most Precious Blood of Jesus etc.

Gradually the features of a face started to appear clearer and more distinctly on the panel. It was the rough image of Jesus’ Holy Face during His Passion with blood flowing from His eyes. Many tests were made by physicians, chemists and others. All agreed it was human blood that formed the image and there was no possible human explanation for what was taking place. This phenomenon continued at intervals during the succeeding years up to Sister Elena’s death.

Messages from the Blessed Virgin Mary

Sister Elena’s spiritual advisors wondered why there was so much blood involved in her mystical phenomena. It was concluded that future events were very serious based on the messages that Sister Elena was receiving from Heaven. Sister Elena herself felt that the blood indicated the need for more reparation for the crimes of our day and tied it in with the grave messages she was receiving. Here are some notable excerpts of a message from the Blessed Virgin Mary to Sister Elena:

“People are offending God too much. Were I to show you all the sins committed on a single day, you would surely die of grief. These are grave times. The world is thoroughly upset because it is in a worse condition than at the time of the deluge. Materialism marches on ever fomenting bloody strifes and fratricidal struggles. Clear signs portend that peace is in danger. That scourge, like the shadow of a dark cloud, is now moving across mankind: only my power, as Mother of God, is preventing the outbreak of the storm. All is hanging on a slender thread. When that thread shall snap, Divine Justice shall pounce upon the world and execute its dreadful, purging designs. All the nations shall be punished because sins, like a muddy river, are now covering all the earth.

“The powers of evil are getting ready to strike furiously in every part of the globe. Tragic events are in store for the future. For quite a while, and in many a way, I have warned the world. The nation’s rulers do indeed understand the gravity of these dangers, but they refuse to acknowledge that it is necessary for all people to practice a truly Christian life to counteract that scourge. Oh, what torture I feel in my heart, on beholding mankind so engrossed in all kinds of things and completely ignoring the most important duty of their reconciliation with God. The time is not far off now when the whole world shall be greatly disturbed. A great deal of blood of just and innocent people as well as saintly priests will be poured out. The Church shall suffer very much and hatred will be at its very peak”.

“Italy shall be humiliated and purged in her blood. She shall suffer very much indeed on account of the multitude of sins committed in this privileged nation, the abode of the Vicar of Christ”.

“You cannot possibly imagine what is going to happen. A great revolution shall break out and the streets shall be stained with blood. The Pope’s sufferings on this occasion may well be compared to the agony that will shorten his pilgrimage on earth. His successor shall pilot the boat during the storm. But the punishment of the wicked shall not be slow. That will be an exceedingly dreadful day. The earth shall quake so violently as to scare all mankind. And so, the wicked shall perish according to the inexorably severity of Divine Justice. If possible, publish this message throughout the world, and admonish all the people to do penance and to return right away to God”.

There are so many other things that could and should be said about Sister Elena and the reader will please forgive any omissions because the information was gathered in the best way available.

In the future, it is hoped that a more thorough source of information will be put together to give a more adequate account of the wonderful and amazing spiritual life of Sister Elena.

Her Holy Death

In the eyes of God her mission was completed and so Sister Elena Aiello was called to God on June 19, 1961. She flew to Heaven at dawn when everyone was at rest. Her soul went to meet her Divine Spouse, holding in her hand, the oil-filled brightly burning lamp. In life she was heard saying more than once: “Even from my tomb I shall raised my voice against anyone daring to oppose the charitable goal of my Community.”

She acted toward God with complete surrender, childlike abandon and spoke with sincerity, candor and simplicity. She denounced injustice and exploiters even at the cost of humiliations and misunderstandings. She was a strong woman of the Baptist and Catherine type. She kept her rosary beads wrapped around her wrists so as to be able to say it at any free moment. She kept the church beautiful with fresh flowers and observed the solemnities and sacred functions with fervor. The only thing she really dreaded and abhorred was the evil of sin which she fought wherever she found it. She had a motherly compassion for sinners and for their salvation and never spared prayers tears or pains.

In her houses even during working hours, the Holy Rosary and other prayers were frequently said and everyone directed their work to and kept in the continual presence of God.

Finally it should be noted that Sister Elena fasted daily on a diet of vegetables and water but was always able to fulfill her duties with a robust constitution in spite of her sufferings.

Her life can be summed up in this - that she always was concerned for the welfare of others spiritually or physically over her own, and even of her God since she was heard to cry out several times: “How light is this crown of thorns on my head! How small, O my God is this torture compared to Yours!”

Blessed Elena Aiello, pray for us!

THE FOLLOWING QUOTES ARE SOME OF THE WORDS PRONOUNCED BY SISTER ELENA TO HER HEARERS DURING HER MYSTICAL PHENOMENON

April 15, 1938

(Jesus) - “Do you wish to come with Me to Gethsemane? You shall have to suffer for sinners. The sin of impurity makes man loathsome…Blessed are the clean of heart, because they shall see God…

(Vera, friend of Elena & the community who died) …If you wish to be perfect you must cross the desert before reaching the promised land…Have courage! Each pain is like a flame scorching you, but some day Jesus will take you up to His Heavenly glory. ….. (Jesus) ….Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. Look at the ears stained with blood, bruised by blows, rent by thorns. Yet, souls are stubbornly deaf to the voice of grace…it is impurity that pierces the Heart of Jesus.

Monsignor Cioffi, the translator of her biography and friend of Sister Elena, sent these previously unpublished prophecies of Sister Elena to the late Steven Oraze, Editor of the edifying Catholic newspaper, "Divine Love" which was produced by the Apostolate of Christian Action in Fresno, California. At first Monsignor Cioffi was nervous about publishing the messages because they were so strong and thought that people wouldn’t accept them. Mr. Oraze took them to his Bishop who gave them the Imprimatur and he published them. At that time, "Divine Love" contained the only public printing of these messages. The "Divine Love" staff received direct confirmations from Heaven that they were to publish the messages more than once for all the world to see. It is now clear that they are more relevant now than ever before. Here they are taken directly from this newspaper.

THE PROPHECIES OF SISTER ELENA AIELLO

GOOD FRIDAY (APRIL 16) 1954

“Upon initiating the usual sufferings, about the hour of 1:00 p.m., Jesus appeared to me, covered with wounds and bleeding, saying to me:

‘Behold my child, see to what ends the sins of man have reduced me. The world has lowered itself in overflowing corruption. The governments of the peop1e have risen like demons incarnated, and, while they speak of peace they prepare for war with the most devastating implements to destroy peoples and nations. Men have become ungrateful to My Sacred Heart, and abusing My Mercy, have transformed the earth into a scene of crime’.

‘Numerous scandals are bringing souls to ruin particularly through the corruption of youth. Stirred up, and unrestrained in the enjoyment of the pleasures of the world, they have degraded their spirit in corruption and sin. The bad example of parents trains the family in scandal and infidelity, instead of virtue and prayer, which is almost dead on the lips of many. Stained and withered is the fountain of faith and sanctity the home’.

‘The wills of men do not change. They live in their obstinacy of sin. More severe are the scourges and plagues to recall them to the way of God; but men still become furious, like wounded beasts (and harden their hearts against the Grace of God). The world is no longer worthy of pardon, but only of fire, destruction and death’.

‘There must be more prayers and penances from the souls faithful to Me, in order to appease the just wrath of God, and to temperate the just sentence of punishment, SUSPENDED on earth by the intercession of My Beloved Mother, who is also the Mother of all men’.

‘Oh! how sad is My Heart to see that men do not convert (or respond) to so many calls of love and grief, manifested by My Beloved Mother to errant men. Roaming in darkness, they continue to live in sin, and further away from God! But the scourge of fire is near, to purify the earth of the iniquities of the wicked. The justice of God requires reparation for the many offenses and misdeeds that cover the earth, and which can no longer be compromised. Men are obstinate in their guilt, and do not return to God’.

‘The Church is opposed, and the priests are despised because of the bad ones who give scandal. Help Me, by suffering, to repair for so many offenses, and thus save AT LEAST IN PART, humanity precipitated in a slough of corruption and death’.

‘Make it known to all men that, repentant, they must return to God, and, in doing so, may hope for pardon, and be saved from the just vengeance of a scorned God’.

“In so saying Our Lord God disappeared. Then the Madonna appeared to me. She was dressed in black, with seven swords piercing Her Immaculate Heart. Coming closer, with an expression of profound sorrow, and with tears on her cheeks, she spoke to me, saying: ‘Listen attentively, and reveal to all:

‘My Heart is sad for so many sufferings in an impending world in ruin. The justice of Our Father is most offended. Men live in their obstinacy of sin. The wrath of God is near. Soon the world will be afflicted with great calamities, bloody revolutions, frightful hurricanes, and the overflowing of streams and the seas’.

‘Cry out until the priests of God lend their ears to my voice, to advise men that the time is near at hand, and if men do not return to God with prayers and penances, the world will be overturned in a new and more terrible war. Arms most deadly will destroy peoples and nations! The dictators of the earth, specimens infernal, will demolish the churches and desecrate the Holy Eucharist, and will destroy things most dear. In this impious war, much will be destroyed of that which has been built by the hands of man’.

‘CLOUDS WITH LIGHTNING FLASHES OF FIRE IN THE SKY AND A TEMPEST OF FIRE SHALL FALL UPON THE WORLD. THIS TERRIBLE SCOURGE, NEVER BEFORE SEEN IN THE HISTORY OF HUMANITY, WILL LAST SEVENTY HOURS. GODLESS PERSONS WILL BE CRUSHED AND WIPED OUT. MANY WILL BE LOST BECAUSE THEY REMAIN IN THEIR OBSTINACY OF SIN. THEN SHALL BE SEEN THE POWER OF LIGHT OVER THE POWER OF DARKNESS’.

‘Be not silent, my daughter, because the hours of darkness, of abandonment, are near. ‘I am bending over the world, holding in suspension the justice of God. OTHERWISE THESE THINGS WOULD ALREADY HAVE NOW COME TO PASS. Prayers and penances are necessary because men MUST RETURN TO GOD and to My Immaculate Heart—the Mediatrix of men to God, and thus THE WORLD WILL BE AT LEAST IN PART SAVED’.

‘Cry out these things to all, like the very echo of my voice. Let this be known to all, because it will help save many souls, and prevent much destruction in the Church and in the world’.

MESSAGE OF GOOD FRIDAY (APRIL 8) 1955

“The Blessed Mother, lovely and majestic, but with tears on her cheeks, spoke: ‘My daughter, it is thy Mother speaking to thee, Listen attentively, and make known all that I tell thee, because men, in spite of repeated warnings, are not returning to God. They refuse grace, and are not listening to my voice. You must have no doubt about what I am making known to you, because my words are very clear, and you must transmit them to all.’

‘DARK AND FRIGHTFUL DAYS ARE APPROACHING! Mankind is obscured by a thick fog, as a result of the many grievous sins, which are well nigh covering the whole earth. Today, more than ever, men are, resisting the calls from Heaven, and are blaspheming God, while wallowing in the mire of sin’.

‘My daughter, look upon my Heart pierced by the thorns of so many sins; my face, disfigured by sorrow; my eyes, filled with tears. The cause of such great sadness is the sight of so many souls going to Hell, and because the Church is wounded – inwardly and outwardly’.

‘The rulers of nations make so much ado and speak of peace. But instead, the whole world will soon be at war, and all mankind will he plunged into sorrow, be cause the justice of God will not be delayed in fulfilling its course, and these events are near. Tremendous will be the upheaval of the whole world, because men — as at the time of the Deluge — have lost God’s way, and are ruled by the spirit of Satan’.

‘Priests must unite by prayers and penance. They must hasten to spread the devotion to the Two Hearts. The hour of my triumph is close at hand. The victory will be accomplished through the love and mercy of the Heart of My Son, and of My Immaculate Heart the Mediatrix between men and God, By accepting this invitation, and by uniting their tears to those of My Sorrowful Heart, priests and religious will obtain great graces for the salvation of poor sinners’.

‘LAUNCH FORTH INTO THE WORLD A MESSAGE TO MAKE KNOWN TO ALL THAT THE SCOURGE IS NEAR AT HAND, The justice of God is weighing upon the world. Mankind, defiled in the mire, soon will be washed in its own blood, by disease; by famine; by earthquakes; by cloudbursts, tornadoes, floods, and terrible storms; and by war. But men ignore all these warnings, and are unwilling to be convinced that my tears (Weeping Madonna of Sicily?), are plain signs to serve notice that tragic events are hanging over the world, and that the hours of great trials are at hand’.

‘If men do not amend their ways, a terrifying scourge of fire will come down from Heaven upon all the nations of the world, and men will be punished according to the debts contracted with Divine justice. There will be frightful moments for all, because Heaven will be joined with the earth, and all the un-Godly people will be destroyed, SOME NATIONS WILL BE PURIFIED, WHILE OTHERS WILL DISAPPEAR ENTIRELY’.

You are to transmit these warnings to all, in order that the new generation will know that men had been warned in time to turn to God by doing penance, and thus could have avoided these punishments’.

But when will all this come about?’ I asked Our Lady.” ‘My daughter,’ answered the Blessed Mother, ‘the time is not far off. When men least expect it, the course of Divine Justice will be accomplished’.

‘My Heart is so big for poor sinners, and I make use of every possible means that they may be saved. Look at this mantle, how big it is. If I were not bent over the earth to cover all with my maternal love, the tempest of fire would have already broken upon the nations of the world!’

“Then I exclaimed, ‘My lovely Mother, never before have I seen thee with such a large mantle.’ The Blessed Virgin, holding her arms wide, answered:”

‘This is the mantle of mercy for all those who, having repented, come back to My Immaculate Heart. See? The right hand holds the mantle to cover and to save poor sinners, while with the left hand I hold back the Divine Justice, so that the time of Mercy may still be prolonged.’

‘To help me in this, I ask that the prayer, MATERNAL REFUGE, be spread as a most useful means to obtain graces and salvation for poor sinners, Say often with your arms crossed:

“QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE, MEDIATRIX OF MEN TO GOD, REFUGE OF ALL OUR HOPES, HAVE MERCY ON US,”

GOOD FRIDAY (APRIL 7) 1950

Sister Elena Aiello asked Our Blessed Mother: “What will become of Italy? Will Rome be saved?”

“The Madonna answered:” ‘In part, by the Pope. The Church will be in travail, but the forces of Hell cannot prevail! You must suffer for the Pope and Christ, and thus Christ will be safe on earth; and the Pope, with his redemptive word, will, in part, save the world.’

“The Madonna then came closer, and with a sad expression, showed me the flames of Hell. She said:” ‘Satan reigns and triumphs on earth! See how the souls are falling into Hell. See how high the flames are, and the souls who fall into them like flakes of snow, looking like transparent embers! How many sparks! How many cries of hate, and of despair! How much pain!’

‘See how many priestly souls! Look at the sign of their consecration in their transparent hands! (In the palms of their hands the sign of the cross, in more vivid fire, could clearly be seen!) What torture, my daughter, in my maternal Heart! Great is my sorrow to see that men do not change! The justice of the Father requires reparation — otherwise many will be lost!’

“See how Russia will burn!” Before my eyes there extended an immense field covered with flames and smoke, in which souls were submerged as if in a sea of fire.

“And all this fire,” concluded the Madonna, “is not that which will fall from the hands of men, but will be hurled directly from the Angels (at the time of the great chastisement or purification that will come upon the earth). Therefore I ask prayers, penance and sacrifice, so I may act as Mediatrix for my Son in order to save souls.”

GOOD FRIDAY (March 23) 1961

The Madonna speaks: “My daughter, the scourge is near. Much is spoken of peace, but all the world will soon be at war, and the streets will be stained with blood! No gleam of light is seen in the world, because men live in the darkness of error, and the enormous weight of sin angers the justice of God.”

“All nations will be punished, because sin has spread all over the world! Tremendous will be the punishments, because man has arrived at an insupportable contest with his God and Father, and has exasperated His infinite Goodness!”

“My heart bleeds for Italy also, which will be safe only in part for the Pope! Oh!, what grief to see the representative of Christ on earth hated, persecuted, outraged!”

“He, who is the Spiritual Father of the people, the defender of the Faith and of truth, whose face, radiant with light, shines upon the world, is greatly hated.”

“He, who personifies Christ on earth, doing good for all, becomes thus outraged with impunity!”

“Many iniquitous and wicked leaders of the people, who live and drag along with them their people outside the laws of God, showing themselves in sheep’s’ clothing, while being rapacious wolves, have ruined society, stirring it up against God and His Church.”

“How can the world be saved, from the disaster that is about to crash down upon the misleading nations, if man does not repent of his errors and failings? The only salvation is a complete repentance and return to God, and a true devotion to my Immaculate Heart, particularly in the daily recitation of my Rosary.”

“Once there was the chastisement by water, but if there is not a returning to God, there will come the chastisement by fire, which will cover the streets of the world with blood.”

"My daughter, cry out loudly, and let it be known to all, that, if they do not return to God, Italy too, will only in part be safe for the Pope.”

“My heart of Mother, and Mediatrix of men, close to the mercy of God, invites, with many manifestations and many signs, the people to penance and to pardon. But they respond with a storm of hate, blasphemies and sacrilegious profanations, as if blinded by an infernal rage. I wish prayers and penance, in order that I may again obtain mercy and salvation for many souls — otherwise they will be lost.”

FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION -DEC 8, 1956

Our Blessed Mother speaks: “The world today is honoring me, but my Motherly Heart is bleeding, because the enemy is at our doors! Men are offending God too much! If I were to show you the number of sins committed in a single day, you would die of horror and sorrow! The sins that distress God the most, are those of the souls who should perfume the air with the fragrance of their virtues. Instead, they contaminate (by their sinful lives) those who come near them.”

“The times are grievous. The whole world is in turmoil, because IT HAS BECOME WORSE THAN AT THE TIME OF THE DELUGE!”

“Everything is in suspense, like a thread; when this thread breaks, the justice of God will fall like a thunderbolt and will complete its terrible course of purification.”

Sister Elena asked, “What will become of Italy?”

The Virgin Mary answered: “Italy, my daughter, will be humiliated, purified in blood, and must suffer much, because many are the sins of this beloved country, seat of the Vicar of Christ. You cannot imagine what will happen! In those sad days there will be much anguish and weeping. There will be a great revolution, and streets will be red with blood.”

“The Pope will suffer much, and all this suffering will be like an agony, which will shorten his earthly pilgrimage. His successor will guide the boat in the tempest.”

“However the punishment of the impious will not be delayed. That day will be most fearful in the world! The earth will tremble, all humanity will be shaken! The wicked and the obstinate will perish in the tremendous severity of the justice of the Lord.”

“Launch at once a message into the world, to advise men to return to God by prayers and penances, and to come with confidence to my Immaculate Heart. My intercession must be shown, because I am the Mother of God, of the just, and of sinners. Through prayer and penance, my mercy will be able to hold back the hand of God’s justice.”

PROPHESIES OF 1959

Jesus, dripping with blood and with painful and suffering look, said: “Do you wish to unite with Me in My agony? See how much I suffer! The sins of men have reduced me to this! What bitterness is poured into this Heart, pierced by many souls, who instead of loving me with sacrifices, and in flight from sinful vanities of the corrupt world, commit much iniquity.”

“Help me to suffer by consoling my grieved Heart, and make reparation for the many sins. Oh my beloved bride, if you knew the pain that my Heart suffers from the loss of so many souls! Satan travels victorious over all the sinful earth. I need generous souls to appease the outraged justice of the Father, because the world is headed for imminent ruin. The hours of darkness are near!”

“Then, the Madonna appeared to me, sad and shedding tears. She said”: ‘This great mantle which you see, is the expression of my mercy for covering sinners and for saving them. Men, instead, cover themselves with even more filth, and do not want to confess their real faults. Therefore, the justice of God will pass over the sinful world to purify humanity for so many sins, openly committed and hidden, especially those which corrupt youth.’

‘In order to save souls, I wish that there be propagated in the world the consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mediatrix of men, devoted to the Mercy of God, and to the Queen of the Universe.’

‘The world will be once more afflicted with great calamity; with bloody revolutions; with great earthquakes; with famines; with epidemics; with fearful hurricanes; and with floods from rivers and seas. But if men do not return to God, purifying fire will fall from the Heavens, like snowstorms, on all peoples, and a great part of humanity will be destroyed!’

‘No longer do men speak according to the true spirit of the Gospel. The immorality of the times has ‘reached a peak. But men do not listen to my motherly warnings, so the world must soon be purified.’

‘RUSSIA WILL MARCH UPON ALL THE NATIONS OF EUROPE, PARTICULARLY ITALY, AND WILL RAISE HER FLAG OVER THE DOME OF ST. PETER’S. Italy will be severely tried by a great revolution, and Rome will be purified in blood for its many sins, especially those of impurity! The flock is about to be dispersed and the Pope must suffer greatly.’

‘The only valid means for placating Divine Justice is to pray and do penance, returning to God with sincere sorrow for the faults committed, and then the chastisement of Divine Justice will be mitigated by mercy. Humanity will never find peace, if it does not return to my Immaculate Heart as Mother of Mercy, and Mediatrix of men; and to the Heart of my Son Jesus!’

GOOD FRIDAY — 1960

The Madonna speaks: “How youth lives in perdition! How many innocent souls find themselves enwrapped in a chain of scandals. The world has become as a flooded valley, overflowing with filth and mud. Some of the most difficult trials of Divine Justice are yet to come, before the deluge of fire.”

“I, for a long time, have advised men in many ways, but they do not listen to my maternal appeals, and they continue to walk the paths of perdition. But soon terrifying manifestations will be seen, which will make even the most obdurate sinners tremble!”

“Great calamities will come upon the world, which will bring confusion, tears, struggles and pain. Great earthquakes will swallow up entire cities and countries, and will bring epidemics, famine, and terrible destruction ESPECIALLY WHERE THE SONS OF DARKNESS ARE, (pagan or anti-God nations).”

"In these tragic hours, the world has need of prayers and penance, because the Pope, the priests, and the Church are in danger. If we do not pray, Russia will march upon all of Europe, and particularly upon Italy, bringing much more ruin and havoc! Hence the priests must be in the front line of defense of the Church, by example and sanctity in life, for materialism is breaking forth in all nations and evil prevails over good.”

“The rulers of the people do not understand this, because they do not have the Christian spirit; in their blindness, do not see the truth.”

“In Italy, some leaders like rapacious wolves in sheep’s’ clothing, while calling themselves Christians — open the door to materialism, and, fostering dishonest actions, will bring Italy to ruin; but many of them, too, will fall in confusion.”

“Propagate the devotions to my Immaculate Heart, of Mother of Mercy, Mediatrix of men, who believe in the mercy of God, and of the Queen of the Universe.”

“I will manifest my partiality for Italy, which will be preserved from the fire, but the skies will be covered with dense darkness, and the earth will be shaken by fearful earthquakes which will open deep abysses. Provinces and cities will be destroyed, and all will cry out that the end of the world has come! Even Rome will be punished according to justice for its many and serious sins, because here sin has reached its peak.”

“Pray, and lose no time, lest it be too late; since dense darkness surrounds the earth and the enemy is at the doors!”

FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE HEART - August 22, 1960

The Madonna speaks: “The hour of the justice of God is close, and will be terrible!”

“Tremendous scourges are impending over the world, and various nations are struck by epidemics, famines, great earthquakes, terrific hurricanes, with overflowing rivers and seas, which bring ruin and death.”

“If the people do not recognize in these scourges (of nature) the warnings of Divine Mercy, and do not return to God with truly Christian living, ANOTHER TERRIBLE WAR WILL COME FROM THE EAST TO THE WEST. RUSSIA WITH HER SECRET ARMIES WILL BATTLE AMERICA; WILL OVERRUN EUROPE.

The river Rhine will be overflowing with corpses and blood. Italy, also, will be harassed by a great revolution, and the Pope will suffer terribly.”

“Spread the devotion to my Immaculate Heart, in order that many souls maybe conquered by my love and that many sinners may return to my Maternal Heart. Do not fear, for I will accompany with my maternal protection my faithful ones, and all those who accept my urgent warnings, and they — especially by the recitations of my Rosary — will be saved.”

“Satan goes furiously through this disordered world, and soon will show all his might. But, because of my Immaculate Heart, the triumph of Light will not delay in its triumph over the power of darkness, and the world, finally, will have tranquility and peace.”

GOOD FRIDAY — 1961

The Sorrowful Madonna speaks: “People pay no attention to my motherly warnings, and thus the world is falling headlong evermore into an abyss of iniquity. Nations shall be convulsed by terrible disasters, causing destruction and death.

“Russia, spurred on by Satan, will seek to dominate the whole world and, by bloody revolutions, will propagate her false teachings throughout all the nations, especially in Italy. The Church will be persecuted and the Pope and the priests shall suffer much.”

Sister Elena Aiello speaks: “Oh, what a horrible vision I see! A great revolution is going on in Rome ! They are entering the Vatican. The Pope is all alone; he s praying. They are holding the Pope. They take him by force. They knock him down to the floor. They are tying him. Oh, God! Oh God! They are kicking him. What a horrible scene! How dreadful!”

“Our Blessed Mother is drawing near. Like corpses those evil men fall down to the floor. Our Lady helps the Pope to his feet and, taking him by the arm, she covers him with her mantle saying: ‘Fear not!’

“Flagstaffs (flying the Red flag over St. Peter’s dome and elsewhere) collapse, and power is gone out of the clubs of those evil brutes. These atheists are ever shouting: ‘We don’t want God to rule over us; we want Satan to be our master!’

Our Blessed Mother speaks again: “My daughter, Rome will not be saved, because the Italian rulers have forsaken the Divine Light and because only a few people really love the Church. But the day is not far off when all the wicked shall perish, under the tremendous blows of Divine Justice.”

In April 2011, Pope Benedict XVI approved the petition allowing for the Beatification of Venerable Elena Aiello. She was declared Blessed on September 14, 2011 (Feast of the Exaultation of the Holy Cross) at 17.30 in Piazza dei Bruzi in Cosenza, Italy. The proclamation of the Blessed was made by Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, along with Archbishop of Cosenza/Bisignano, His Excellency Salvatore Nunnari.

For those interested, the Italian website of the Minim Sisters of the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ can be found here.

Webmasters note:

As a layman who endeavors to always be faithful to the teachings of the Catholic church I feel duty-bound to comment on the prophecies of Blessed Elena. Firstly it should be noted that when the Catholic church Beatifies or Canonizes a person, it is done so strictly on the basis of the sanctity and heroic virtue of the person, and not for any mystical graces, revelations or prophesies that they may have allegedly received. In other words, by Beatifying Mother Elena Aiello, the Church is recognizing her extraordinary virtue alone, and not any of the heavenly graces, revelations or prophecies that she may have been given.

With this said, given that the Church HAS RECOGNISED Bl. Elena's virtue as being extraordinary and thereby setting her sanctity as one that we should strive to imitate, this does give us some basis to investigate also the extraordinary prophecies that she was allegedly given.

Upon reading Blessed Elena's prophecies, one quickly notes that many of them are quite severe.

We must, however, keep in mind that prophecies ARE NOT CERTAIN AND CAN BE LESSENED OR EVEN COMPLETELY MITIGATED through the right actions of humanity, especially through the prayers of the faithful. One need only read Chapter 3 of the Old Testament Book of Jonah to see how a prophesy can be completely mitigated through right actions, repentance and prayer. "“Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you.” The message of God, of course, was that in 40 days the great city of Nineveh would be destroyed. Yet, we all know what happened...the whole people of Nineveh, led by their king, repented and prayed for God's forgiveness and they were speared the horrible chastisement prophesied through Jonah.

Now, for those who think that Bl. Elena's prophesies of a worldwide warning and even a worldwide chastisement are too severe to be true, one should consider some of the other recent prophets and revelations with similar messages for our times, such as the messages given to Blessed Anna Maria Taigi, Josefa Manendez, Blessed Anna-Katarina Emmerick, St Louis de Montfort, Blessed Sister Mary of Jesus Crucified and many others, along with the warnings to humanity given at Church approved Marian apparition sites of Our Lady of La Salette, Fatima, Akita, Kibeho, all of which have been approved by the Church.

For example, the third message of Akita given by the Blessed Virgin to Sister Agnes Sasagawa on October 13, 1973 stated:

"As I told you, if men do not repent and better themselves, the Father will inflict a terrible punishment on all humanity. It will be a punishment greater than the deluge, such as one will never have seen before. Fire will fall from the sky and will wipe out a great part of humanity, the good as well as the bad, sparing neither priests nor faithful. The survivors will find themselves so desolate that they will envy the dead. The only arms which will remain for you will be the Rosary and the Sign left by my Son. Each day, recite the prayers of the Rosary. With the Rosary, pray for the Pope, the bishops and the priests."

"The work of the devil will infiltrate even into the Church in such a way that one will see cardinals opposing cardinals, and bishops against other bishops. The priests who venerate me will be scorned and opposed by their Confreres. The Church and altars will be vandalized. The Church will be full of those who accept compromises and the demon will press many priests and consecrated souls to leave the service of the Lord.

"The demon will rage especially against souls consecrated to God. The thought of the loss of so many souls is the cause of my sadness. If sins increase in number and gravity, there will no longer be pardon for them."

Certainly similar prophesies of a worldwide warning followed perhaps by a worldwide chastisement have been given to other modern day mystics, some of whom are found elsewhere on this website. Let us hope and pray then, that if such prophecies are indeed from God, that they will be mitigated by the repentance, prayer and right actions of humanity, just like the people of Nineveh who repented through the preaching of Jonah.

And let us remember that perhaps our greatest advocate is the Blessed Virgin Mary---for it is She who more than any other pleads for mercy and forgiveness on behalf of all of humanity.

***The primary source for this article is the book "The Incredible Life Story of Sister Elena Aiello- The Calabrian Holy Nun" by Rt. Reverend Francisco Spadafora, Published by Theo Gaus Inc., 1964.

Those interested in obtaining this book can email the webmaster at gdallaire1@gmail.com

SOURCE : https://catholicmystics.blogspot.com/2011/12/blessed-elena-aiello-mystic-stigmatic.html

Beata Elena Aiello Fondatrice

19 giugno

Montalto Uffugo, Cosenza, 10 aprile 1895 – Roma, 19 giugno 1961

Fondatrice delle Suore Minime della Passione di Nostro Signore Gesù Cristo. Nacque a Montalto Uffugo nel 1895 e fin da piccolissima mostrò un’attenzione particolare per il messaggio evangelico. Rimasta orfana di madre si diede da fare per aiutare la famiglia, ma la sua chiamata sembrava essere quella alla vita religiosa nelle Suore del Preziosissimo Sangue. Entratavi come novizia, però, si ammalò gravemente tanto che la congregazione non la ritenne più idonea e la rimandò a casa pensandola prossima alla morte. Invece Elena ebbe un’apparizione di Gesù: le disse che sarebbe stata risanata, ma il Venerdì Santo di ogni anno avrebbe portato sul suo corpo i segni della Passione. E così avvenne: per il resto della vita nel giorno della morte di Gesù avrebbe sudato sangue e sperimentato le stigmate; segni che poi puntualmente scomparivano ogni Sabato Santo. Questa esperienza la spinse a dare vita a Cosenza a una nuova congregazione religiosa, l’Istituto delle Suore Minime della Passione di Nostro Signore Gesù Cristo. Nelle regole indicò la Passione di Gesù come riferimento spirituale e la carità testimoniata nella sua terra da san Francesco da Paola come orizzonte quotidiano. Aprì alcuni istituti per gli orfani, ma anche un istituto magistrale per garantire un futuro alle ragazze uscite dall’orfanotrofio. Morì nel 1961 a Roma dove si era recata per aprire una nuova casa.

Nata a Montalto Uffugo, nel Cosentino, il 10 aprile 1895, Elena Emilia Aiello, cresce in un ambiente familiare esemplarmente cristiano. I suoi genitori, Pasquale e Teresa gestivano una sartoria ed erano buoni e onesti, sempre disponibili ad aiutare gli otto figli.

Buona e sveglia, a 4 anni ripeteva le formule del Catechismo e viene mandata presso le Suore del Preziosissimo Sangue per frequentare la scuola e seguire i corsi di Catechismo. Apprendeva con gioia la Parola di Dio tanto che le Suore, quando aveva 8 anni la facevano insegnare la Dottrina ai più piccoli.

Dopo la morte della mamma avvenuta nel 1905, Elena si adopera in famiglia come può, aiuta il papà nella sartoria, compie i lavori domestici e inoltre soccorre i poveri e gli ammalati.

Vuole diventare Religiosa e amare Dio nella sofferenza. Sceglie l'Istituto delle Suore Del Preziosissimo Sangue, ma cade ammalata grave, subisce dolorose operazioni senza anestesia che sopporta con fede eroica, viene espulsa dalla congregazione e rimandata a morire a casa, ma è miracolata, e Gesù le dice che sarebbe guarita, ma il venerdì santo di ogni anno avrebbe sofferto le pene della croce. E' stato così ogni anno. Elena sudava Sangue e sul suo corpo si formavano le stigmate che il sabato santo scomparivano miracolosamente.

Un'amica, Luigia Mazza, detta Gigia, era anch'essa desiderosa di farsi religiosa, e si consiglia con Elena. Le due si trasferiscono a Cosenza e fondano l'Istituto delle Suore Minime della Passione di N. S. Gesù Cristo.

Suor Elena sceglie per sè e le sue figlie come modello di vita la Passione di Gesù e il primato della carità testimoniato da S. Francesco da Paola.

Umiltà, carità e sacrificio sono le basi su cui Madre Elena edifica la sua famiglia religiosa che, si inserisce nella missione della Chiesa per risanare il tessuto sociale del suo tempo e soccorrere i fratelli più deboli e disagiati, in modo specifico l'infanzia bisognosa.

Infatti Madre Elena, istituisce per gli orfani alcuni istituti e, apre un Istituto Magistrale per garantire un futuro alle ragazze che devono abbandonare l'orfanotrofio.

Recatasi a Roma per l'apertura di una nuova casa, in via Dei Baldassini, vi muore il 19 giugno 1961.

Strepitosi miracoli e conversioni si verificano a partire dal giorno dopo la sua morte fino ad oggi. Madre Elena riposa nella Cappella di Casa Madre, in via dei Martiri 9 a Cosenza.

Giovanni Paolo II l'ha dichiarata Venerabile il 22 gennaio 1991.

Per informazioni, richieste di immagini o biografie rivolgersi a:

Istituto Suore Minime della Passione

Via dei Martiri 9 - 87100 Cosenza

oppure: www.medianetis.it/suoreminime/

SOURCE : http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/91338

 Passione per Cristo, Passione per l’umanità a cura di Don Enzo Gabrieli

Con la pubblicazione di questa relazione di Don Enzo Gabrieli, vice Postulatore della Causa di Canonizzazione della Venerabile Madre Elena, diamo il via a una serie di quaderni informativi per allargare e far giungere a più persone il Messaggio della nostra Fondatrice. Questa relazione è stata offerta durante un convegno, a noi suore e  molti laici, in occasione del 77° di fondazione della Congregazione “Minime della Passione di N.S.G.C.” Cosenza, Casa Madre 16 gennaio 2005. Alla fine di questo libretto abbiamo raccolto alcune informazioni che il vice Postulatore ha dato ai presenti relativamente alla Causa di Canonizzazione della Nostra Suor Elena. Nella speranza che questo sia un servizio ulteriore per vivere in comunione l’attesa della Canonizzazione di Madre Elena Aiello, Via saluto e Vi auguro un Santa Pasqua.

Madre Generale Suor M. Paola Pennini

Quando ho pensato a questo incontro celebrativo e di riflessione per i 77 anni di fondazione dell’Istituto delle Suore Minime della Passione di Nostro Signore Gesù Cristo, la mia mente è andata subito al 17 gennaio del 1928, quando con il minimo indispensabile Elena (Montalto Uffugo 1895 – Roma 1961), senza avvisare nessuno, di buon mattino, lascia Montalto Uffugo, il suo paese natale e si  lancia nell’avventura dello Spirito “che la condurrà nella vicina città di Cosenza”. Un intenso momento di risposta vocazionale viene celebrato in questo giorno. Viene celebrata la risposta della giovane Elena ad un progetto che Dio ha su di Lei, sulle sue figlie, su quanti riceveranno amore, attenzione e contestualmente l’annuncio del Vangelo attraverso la piccola opera delle Minime della Passione. Il “Si” di Elena è stato dirompente, la sua decisione hai coinvolto, coinvolge oggi e coinvolgerà ancora tantissime persone in un progetto d’amore inaugurato all’alba di settantasette anni fa. Pensando contestualmente alla tematica da proporre questa sera, mi è venuta in mente quella proposta per il Congresso della vita consacrata che si è svolto nel novembre del 2004 a Roma: Passione per Cristo, passione per l’umanità. Alla luce di questa frase, con tutti i limiti che uno slogan porta con sé, vorrei affacciarmi sulla vita, l’opera e il messaggio della nostra Venerabile Elena Aiello ed offrire con molto rispetto un piccolo contributo alla vostra meditazione. Ciascuna di voi, in modo particolare, è legata all’alba di questo giorno, con un filo d’oro che ha segnato la vostra vocazione; una vocazione di innamorate, di appassionate di Dio e dell’uomo, nella sintesi del carisma della Monaca Santa. Un carisma che ha trovato, nell’epoca in cui Elena ha spiegato le vele per la sua traversata, il terreno fertile, lo spazio giusto dove alzarsi in volo con coraggio per amare di più il Signore ed amarlo particolarmente attraverso le sue creature: gli ultimi, i soli, gli indifesi, chi non ha nessuno, l’infanzia abbandonata. Il tema della Passione accompagnerà a diversi livelli tutta la vita di Elena, come accompagna la vita dei Santi; essi sono uomini e donne caparbi, appassionati di Dio e dell’uomo, della Chiesa e della storia, a tal punto da lasciare tutto sulla promessa di Dio, fino a creare visibili e significative fratture profetiche nella vita, nella famiglia, nella società. La Venerabile sarà toccata dal mistero della Passione, per oltre 24 anni, con i nobili segni della crocifissione di Cristo, portandoli nella carne con la stessa dignità, la stessa forza, la stessa fede dell’apostolo Paolo: “Quanto a me non ci sia altro vanto che nella Croce del Signore nostro Gesù Cristo, per mezzo del quale il mondo per me è stato Crocifisso, come io per il mondo…porto nella mia carne le stigmate di Cristo”.

Passione per Cristo

Una grande passione d’amore per il Signore Gesù che diventava nell’Eucarestia centro della giornata, riferimento di ogni scelta spirituale o materiale. Dalla sua voce ascoltiamo il trasporto, (oserei dire la passione) con il quale ella ci accostava all’augusto Sacramento: “L’Eucarestia è l’alimento essenziale della mia vita, il respiro profondo della mia anima” ed ancora “questo Sacramento dà senso alla mia vita, a tutte le azioni della giornata”.  Dall’Eucarestia Suor Elena si lasciava formare ed educare al senso del mistero, della Provvidenza, della gratuità, all’adorazione, al dono di se ed a tutte quelle virtù, proprie delle persone semplici e senza cultura, che non mancano però, di un profondissimo senso religioso. In questo Anno Internazionale dell’Eucarestia, dovrebbe tornare spesso nella vostra mente, nel vostro cuore, quasi a mò di giaculatoria l’appello accorato, da vera amante di Cristo, che faceva la Fondatrice” “Se vogliamo giovare alla salvezza dei fratelli dobbiamo essere anime eucaristiche”.  Solo un costante nutrimento eucaristico può trasformare il cuore fino alla donazione completa, alla accettazione piena della volontà del Padre. Lo stesso Si di Cristo alla suprema volontà del Padre si colloca in un contesto strettamente pasquale tra la Cena e la Croce. La misura della Passione per Cristo, in ogni credente, esercitata in modo mirabile da Suor Elena, si verifica nella costanza tra questi due poli: l’Eucarestia che trasforma, la croce che perfeziona l’amore. L’opera della Monaca Santa si può capire, conoscere ed apprezzare  solo nella misura in cui si scopre che questa donna, semplice ma forte, coraggiosa e prudente, come dice il libro della Sapienza, è preziosa come una perla perché ha saputo ben amministrare la sua casa. E qui per “casa” intendiamo la sua opera che da Cosenza si è irradiata anche fuori dai confini nazionali. La radice della sua vocazione, come della vostra che ne avete abbracciato il Carisma, si trova ben innestata nel terreno dell’Amore di Dio e dell’Amore per Dio. E’ bene però ricordare che l’amore non è fatto solo di sentimentalismi, ma anche di grandi progetti e di grandi sogni. Amore è sognare con e come sogna l’amato. Amore è attesa paziente e silenziosa come quella della madre. Amore è condivisione fino al sacrificio che trova nella Croce la sua più preziosa icona.  Amore è consacrazione silenziosa per essere come un città posta a segnale sul monte. Amore è anche grande sforzo di volontà e coraggio di buttarsi nella mischia per fare si che il progetto di Dio si realizzi, senza compromessi, senza mezze misure, senza mercanteggiamenti. L’Amore quando è vero è profetico, quando è vero si celebra sia nella dolcezza della vita che nell’aridità della Croce. In Suor Elena, scorrendo come un film i fotogrammi della vita, troviamo sintetizzata la logica d’amore. Passione in fondo è uno dei nomi dell’amore. Il Signore stesso rendendosi presente a Lei più volte le ribadirà il senso della sua sofferenza fisica: “Tu soffrirai, ma non temere; non è una malattia, ma espressione di carità ti farò entrare in tristezza con me e il venerdì sarai unita alla mia sofferenza”. Al suo rapporto con Cristo si può ben applicare questo versetto del Cantico dei cantici: “trovai l’amato del mio cuore. Lo strinsi fortemente, non lo lascerò”. La giornata di cui oggi fate memoria, dunque, può essere ben rappresentata dal vagare e dall’incontro con l’Amato dell’innamorata cantato nel libro biblico. La ricerca dell’amato del suo cuore l’aveva condotta su altre strade, prima in convento, poi a casa per la malattia, fino alla decisione ultima di lasciare nuovamente Montalto, e su indicazione spirituale di Santa Teresa apparsale in visione, individuando a Cosenza il primo luogo dove iniziare il cammino del suo istituto. Non è troppo casuale la devozione per questa Santa che scelse di essere al momento della sua risposta vocazionale, il cuore. “Ho trovato il mio posto nella Chiesa, mia madre, io sarò l’Amore”. Elena fu una donna che non si diede per vinta tutt’altro. Da buona calabrese qual era seppe combattere per il suo Amato, fino a decidere di non tornare indietro nemmeno dopo il preoccupato consiglio del Decano Mauro quando a mattino inoltrato del 17 gennaio 1928, dopo la sua spirituale fuga, la raggiunse davanti alla Chiesa di San Nicola a Cosenza. “Cercava di persuadere Elena a ritornare in famiglia – si legge nella Positio – sforzandosi di dimostrare la stoltezza del passo compiuto. Suor Elena risoluta, rispondeva: Se mi troverò bene continuerò, altrimenti ritornerò in famiglia. Il Decano deluso dovette cedere e abbandonare l’idea di farla ritornare a Montalto”. La Passione d’amore della giovinetta ebbe la meglio anche sull’austera e forte figura del Decano, oltre che sulla sua famiglia che più volte aveva tentato di convincerla a restare a casa dopo la lunga malattia che l’aveva debilitata e le aveva fatto lasciare finanche il convento. Molto spesso alle Congregazioni che iniziano ad avere una lunga storia alle spalle, dopo la morte della fondatrice, viene consigliato di rivedere il carisma, di autorizzarlo nei linguaggi, nei metodi, secondo le nuove esigenze del mondo che cambia. Personalmente ritengo che dobbiate custodire profondamente il concetto duplice di passione di cui Elena Aiello ha voluto riempire la sua vita, il suo carisma, il suo messaggio, il suo servizio agli ultimi. Passione d’amore, passione per l’uomo e per il sofferente. Sono queste le caratteristiche che potete ancora vivere, alle quali come consacrate dovete richiamare la Chiesa e gli uomini che sono i ricerca di Dio. La stessa esperienza del dolore fisico, “è una occasione privilegiata di maggiore intimità col Signore, anche se tali fenomeni straordinari le procurano una sofferenza così intensa da farla cadere in uno stato di profonda prostrazione ed abbattimento…”. Le dirà il Signore, il venerdì 16 marzo del 1923: “Non affliggerti se ti hanno tolto il crocifisso perché io sono sempre presente nel tuo cuore; anzi a conferma di ciò ti darò un segno ancora più visibile, perché voglio che tu porti nel tuo corpo le piaghe della mia Passione”.

 Passione per l’umanità

In una recente intervista Dominique Lapierre, scrittore francese impegnato in molti progetti umanitari, parlando delle Suore di Madre Teresa di Calcutta così si è espresso: “Dopo la morte di Madre Teresa non è cambiato assolutamente nulla. Le Missionarie della carità continuano a svolgere il loro lavoro come quando c’era Madre Teresa. Anzi il loro è l’unico Istituto nella Chiesa che non può accogliere tutte le ragazze che chiedono di entrare. C’è un eccesso di vocazioni”. Lui l’aveva incontrata mentre serviva gioiosamente, e con apprensione di madre, i suoi poveri e quell’incontro gli cambiò la vita. Sono state tante le persone che hanno incrociato il cammino di Elena Aiello dopo quel 17 gennaio 1928. Nella Positio sulle virtù sono riportate solo alcune delle tante testimonianze; fra le tante vorrei riproporvi le parole di Suor Angela Padula che racconta alcuni casi di gravi malattie delle ragazze: “L’amore che Suor Elena aveva per le bambine era indescrivibile. Se qualcuna di esse si ammalava, vegliava giorno e notte al capezzale e non si dava pace… sono sicura che le cure e le lacrime di Suor Elena attiravano sempre lo sguardo del Signore”. Una passione d’amore per l’uomo che la vedeva investita anche della responsabilità di tenere per se il giusto e far sperimentare anche ad altri la misteriosa Provvidenza del Padre: “Suor Elena nel vedere la grazia di Dio tratteneva soli il necessario per le bambine e la comunità delle suore, il resto voleva che venisse subito distribuito ai poveri del quartiere e mandava noi stesse a portare la roba”. Questa immagine di Suor Elena mi ha richiamato alla memoria il Cottolengo che, alla sera, dopo aver pagato i debiti dei creditori bruciava i soldi che gli restavano perché era “farina del diavolo”. La passione per l’uomo si manifestò anche nella particolare accoglienza che la Fondatrice volle riservare a don Michele Rinaldi, sacerdote anziano e ammalato ed in pessime condizioni, malconcio, pieno di insetti. Disse alle Suore: “Accoglietelo come se accoglieste Cristo”. Quanti slanci potreste raccontare voi suore che l’avete conosciuta ed amata, più di quanti ne potrei richiamare io attraverso le testimonianze scritte ed orali di cui sto facendo tesoro: l’accoglienza dei bambini profughi di Cassino bombardata dall’aviazione americana, il bambino di Rose ammalato di una malattia contagiosa che ospitò nella sua camera per evitare il propagarsi del male, il neonato mandato a Cosenza dal capostazione delle ferrovie… “A queste piccole testimoniò Suor Cecilia Bevivino parlando di alcune bambine, Suor Melena dedicò tutta se stessa realizzando un vasto programma di carità, vivendo la Passione di Cristo e rivestendosi delle sue sofferenze si prodigò in mille modi, perché fossero allevate e sanate le ferite di tanti piccoli innocenti”.

Conclusione

La sua opera appassionata, di donna forte ed umile, coraggiosa e saggia, l’ha resa segno profetico per la città e per i luoghi dove le sue figlie hanno portato e portano il suo messaggio, riuscendo a testimoniare con la vita e il suo impegno personale il Vangelo della Carità nel suo ambiente, nella società a cavallo dei due conflitti mondiali, con tutti i drammi che essi hanno portato ed inflitto nel cuore dell’uomo: “Gli uomini offendono troppo Dio. Il mondo è tutto sconvolto perché è diventato  peggiore che ai tempi del diluvio. Il materialismo avanza e continua la sua marcia segnata di sangue, di lotte fratricide… Tutte le nazioni saranno punite perché molti sono i peccati che, come una marea di fango, hanno ricoperto la terra. Le forze del male sono preparate a scatenarsi in ogni parte del mondo, come aspra violenza. Tremendo sarà il coinvolgimento per quello che avverrà. Già da tempo, ho avvisato gli uomini, in tanti modi. I governanti dei popoli avvertono il pericolo gravissimo, ma non vogliono riconoscere che, per evitare il flagello è necessario far ritornare la società ad una vita veramente cristiana…”. In questo messaggio che la Venerabile ha ricevuto l’8 dicembre del 1956, quanto mai attuale, che prosegue con l’elenco delle sofferenze del Papa, della Chiesa, della società, c’è un quadro chiaro nel quale Elena si muove con la sua opera. Mancano ancora cinque anni alla sua morte e l’opera da Lei fondata si pone come roccia in questi sconvolgimenti sociali e morali. Il dono di portare nella carne i segni della Passione ne richiamano invece nel mistero, tutto il profondo ed innegabile amore che la vede tuffata nel sogno di Dio, donna infaticabile perché  profondamente tesa alla sua volontà: “non sono più io che vivo, ma è Cristo che vive in me”. Gal 2,20 scrive S. Paolo. “Accoglieva maternamente, gratuitamente, le sofferenze proprie e quelle degli altri nella consapevolezza che tutto serve a completare quello che manca ai patimenti di Cristo. Il nome stesso dell’Istituto da Lei fondato, Minime della Passione di N. Signore Gesù Cristo; è un invito a vivere nella propria carne le sofferenze di Cristo, ma può anche significare che ogni minima circostanza della vita è preziosa perché appartiene a Cristo, al mistero della sua morte e resurrezione. La prova più grande dell’amore si manifesta nell’accogliere la sofferenza, le prove della vita senza ribellioni, nella certezza che Dio è fedele”. Avete, care suore, nelle mani il testimone della carità che Madre Elena ha portato e fatto suo nella vita. La sintesi di questa sua opera e del suo messaggio si trova nel profondo amore per Cristo cuore del mondo, cuore di ogni sforzo per l’uomo e verso l’uomo, soprattutto se sofferente ed ultimo nella classifica della dignità e povertà. Non avete che da trasformare ancora in carne quanto Madre Elena vi ha lasciato come sua testimonianza di vita e di virtù cristiane esercitate eroicamente e con passione. Vi si richiede solo una fedeltà creativa per continuare a restare nella Chiesa spose conformate sempre di più allo sposo, spendendo le vostre forze – come è stato detto al Congresso sulla vita religiosa – con amore in una umile, totale, disinteressata passione per l’umanità. Le consacrate dovete essere per noi gente che hanno il sapore della Provvidenza, persone che hanno trovato i pozzi con l’acqua viva, persone che hanno saputo imboccare la strada verso Gerico e si accorgono degli uomini incappati nei briganti della storia. In un momento di caos generazionale insegnateci, come faceva la vostra Fondatrice “ad aggrapparci alla fede, ma soprattutto alla certezza che, dal vuoto, dal caos, dalla notte il Signore saprà ancora far sorgere la creazione nuova, la donna rinnovata, il Samaritano, carico di passione per il debole”. Le due icone della Samaritana al pozzo e del Samaritano lungo la strada, possono essere sintetizzate in quella sfida profetica, ricca di speranza che Suor Elena ha lanciato nel cuore del secolo scorso, guardando una fredda ma solare alba invernale che sorgeva sulla nostra terra. Vi sia di conforto e di stimolo la sua testimonianza affinché possiate far echeggiare ancora nel mondo la sua piccola grande figura di donna innamorata di Dio e dell’uomo. Guardando la sua vita possiamo dire che si realizza ancora la profezia del magnificat di Maria: “Ha spiegato la potenza del suo braccio, ha disperso i superbi nei pensieri del loro cuore, ha rovesciato i potenti dai troni, ha innalzato gli umili, ha ricolmato di beni gli affamati, ha rimandato a mani vuote i ricchi”. Si realizza nella vita di Elena Aiello l’opera di Dio; in Lei, donna forte, e attraverso di Lei il Signore spiega il suo braccio, ricolma di beni e di grazie gli affamati e gli ultimi della storia. Chiediamo al Signore che questa donna possa essere presto elevata agli onori degli altari affinché tanti possano guardare alla sua testimonianza d’amore per Dio e per l’uomo come ad una perfetta sintesi per vivere autenticamente la vita cristiana.

 Il Vice Postulatore Sac. Don Enzo Gabrieli

 Note sulla Causa di Canonizzazione

A che punto siamo con il lavoro della Causa di Canonizzazione

1. Dopo un decennio di rallentamento, seguito alla Dichiarazione della Venerabilità della Serva di Dio, il lavoro per la Causa è ripreso con vigore. E’ stato nominato un nuovo Postulatore, frate Paolo Lombardo, della Provincia Romana dei frati Minori, ed è stata eretta qui nella Casa Madre, una vice Postulazione. Si è proceduto speditamente alla ricostituzione dell’Archivio della causa che era un po’ sparso e alla raccolta di tutta la documentazione esistente: fotografie, materiale, reliquie, videocassette, filmati e bobine audio. Si sta procedendo su questo versante all’archiviazione.

2. Inoltre la Postulazione fa un appello a tutti coloro che hanno ancora in possesso scritti della Madre o materiale vario, anche donato da Lei stessa in vita. E’ bene che esso sia fotografato, fotocopiato o almeno censito. Per restare comunque in custodia privata.

3. Nessuno è autorizzato a distribuire reliquie della Venerabile Madre Elena Aiello e per nessun motivo senza esplicito permesso.

4. Nei mesi scorsi, come sapete, è stata fatta la Ricognizione Canonica sui resto mortali di Suor Elena e ci è giunta in questi giorni la relazione medica dell’equipe nominata a quest’incarico. Il tribunale appositamente costituito provvederà ad informarmi con una relazione dei risultati.

5. Per quanto riguarda il miracolo atteso e ricercato per la Beatificazione, come richiesto dalla legge della Chiesa, posso informarvi che sono in esame alcuni casi specifici. Uno in particolare verrà studiato dai nostri periti in questi giorni. Affidiamo alle vostre preghiere, e all’intercessione di Suor Elena, questa presunta guarigione affinché essa possa essere celermente presentata a Roma dal Tribunale costituito da Mons. Agostino alcuni mesi fa.

SOURCE : https://web.archive.org/web/20150521163343/http://www.suoreminime-cosenza.it/passione.html

Voir aussi : http://reflexionchretienne.e-monsite.com/pages/vie-des-saints/juin/bienheureuse-elena-aiello-vierge-mystique-et-fondatrice-fete-le-19-juin.html

https://medjugorjemalta.blogspot.com/2015/06/blessed-elena-aiello-1895-1961-mystic.html