At the age of 16, Elena entered the convent of the Capuchin Poor Clares in the nearby town of Cosenza. She took the religious name of Sister Maria Faustina and spent the next several years in prayer and contemplation. During this time, she began to receive mystical visions and experiences that would profoundly shape the rest of her life.
In 1923, Elena was sent to the town of Crotone to found a new convent for the Capuchin Poor Clares. It was during this time that her mystical experiences began to intensify, and she began to receive a series of prophecies about the future of the .
One of the most famous prophecies attributed to Elena Aiello is her prediction of a coming war between Russia and the United States. In a vision she received in 1950, she saw a great cloud of smoke rising over the United States, which she interpreted as a sign of war. She then saw an angel come down from heaven holding a flaming sword, which he plunged into the earth. The earth shook and turned dark, and she heard the words, “Russia will punish the United States with fire.”
While this prophecy has been widely circulated and discussed by many Catholic writers and commentators, it is important to note that Elena Aiello never explicitly stated that the United States and Russia would go to war. Nevertheless, her prophecy has been seen by many as a warning of the dangers of increasing tensions between these two superpowers.
Another prophecy attributed to Elena Aiello is her prediction of a great chastisement that will come upon the italy-in-the-world” title=”Blessed Elena Aiello has performed an important function for Italy in the world”>world as a result of its sins. In a vision she received in 1958, she saw a great storm approaching the earth. She heard the words, “God is going to punish the world for its crimes, by means of war, famine, and persecutions of the Church and of the Holy Father.” She then saw a great light shine in the darkness, and the Virgin Mary appeared holding a paper on which was written the words, “The times are grave; repent; convert your hearts.”
This prophecy has been seen by many as a warning of the need for moral and spiritual renewal in the world. It has also been interpreted as a call to Catholics and Christians to redouble their efforts to live holy and virtuous lives in the midst of an increasingly secular and godless culture.
Despite the controversy and skepticism that has surrounded some of her prophecies, Blessed Elena Aiello remains a beloved and revered figure in the Catholic Church. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2011, and her life and teachings continue to inspire many Catholics and Christians around the world.
Perhaps one of the most striking aspects of her life and witness is her unwavering faith and trust in God, even in the midst of great suffering and hardship. Despite the many trials and tribulations she experienced throughout her life, she remained steadfast in her obedience to God and her commitment to the Gospel.
As we reflect on her prophecies and the message she has left for us, let us take heart in the knowledge that God is in control of history and that His plans will ultimately triumph. Let us also be inspired by the example of Blessed Elena Aiello, who lived a life of deep prayer and devotion, and who sought to bring the light of Christ into the darkness of the world.