When fate brought Mother Clelia to the village of Roccagiovine, her exile entered a new phase of charity and self-emptying. The few sisters who accompanied her perhaps were not fully aware of the life principle hidden behind the cross they felt constrained to follow. Several striking accounts of that period remain from the people of that locality as well as some holy cards we have received from people who were children at the time. “Pray to Mary for me, a poor soul,” reads an inscription on a laced card of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, given to a little girl named Anita Facioni. The handwriting, different from that of Mother Clelia, suggests that it was written by one of her Daughters in exile. Despite the image of suffering that it brings to mind, we cannot but sense a spark of light, that prayer for one another is the indispensable support of our faith. Blessed Clelia took this to heart more than ever in her life, leading her to write in one of her letters: “The Communion of Saints assures us of powerful protectors in heaven and of brothers and sisters on earth.”

Through the Holy Spirit, the Christian at Baptism receives not only the gift of Christ’s Kingship, which elevates the person to the dignity of a son or daughter of the King, but receives as well the gifts of priesthood and prophecy. Mother Clelia’s awareness that she was first and foremost consecrated to God, His honor, and His worship impelled her to let each of these charisms shine through her. In particular, the gift of prophecy, which is primarily the ability to interpret the plan of God in the twists and turns of life, was often manifested in her supernatural capacity to predict the future. Testimonies to this fact are numerous. We recount here one in particular. Sr. Rufina Crippa attests that Mother Clelia, a year after she had returned to Rome from her long exile, wanted one day to meet the novices who had arrived from Alessandria. Among them was Sr. Pia Tonin, who was very concerned about her brother in America whom she had not heard from for several years. When she entered Mother Clelia’s room, without asking her anything, she heard her say: “Be at peace that your brother is fine and will write you soon.” Sr. Rufina concludes her account with these words: “We were greatly amazed and confirmed in our opinion that Mother Clelia was a saint when Sr. Pia returned to Alessandria and there in fact received a reassuring letter from her brother.”