At the end of a long, wise, industrious and painful life, Sister Clemente Alimenti “went to meet her Spouse with a lighted lamp”.
This is how she would have liked to be remembered:
At the end of the journey they will ask me: Did you live? Did you love? …And I, without saying anything, will open my heart full of names.
Novice mistress in the interprovincial novitiate in Italy and Romania, then Provincial Superior of the Province of Rome, she leaves a precious legacy.
She died in Civitavecchia, while celebrating First Vespers of the Sunday of the Beatitudes, according to Luke and with the liturgy of that day we can say of her “Rejoice and be glad, says the Lord, for behold, your reward is great in heaven”.
Dearest Sister Maria Clemente,
now that you have returned to the arms of the Father, I feel a deep desire to say thank you. I have never been a person capable of easily expressing my feelings in words, but in my heart I have always cherished sincere affection, esteem and immense gratitude for you.
As you know, I belong to the first group that had the grace of starting the journey with you as our new Novice Mistress. From the very beginning, you knew how to guide us with your extraordinary delicacy, made up of humility, patience and deep humanity. There was nothing forced or rigid about you, only the silent strength of someone who knows how to welcome, understand and give of themselves without reserve. Throughout my journey, your maternal attention was a precious gift. I remember the nights I couldn’t sleep in the dormitory and the way you discreetly and kindly noticed how tired I was. You let me stay in bed a little longer than the others, then, with your characteristic generosity, you even offered me your study, giving me a space where I could finally sleep.
You were equally kind to my father, who did not accept my choice. With humility and patience, you helped me in my encounter with him, even when his heart remained closed. You demanded nothing, you never imposed yourself, you simply loved with the simplicity of one who knows that God’s time is greater than any of our plans.
Your example of docility to the will of the Father has been a silent but powerful light for me. Your intense prayer life was not made up of grand words, but of an authentic dialogue with God, lived in daily fidelity and in trusting abandonment to His will. Today, thinking back to everything you taught me, I feel that your time on earth was a fruitful seed that will continue to bear fruit. I am also reminded of the words you often repeated to me: “Remember that in your apostolic service you should always reserve a place for families, especially the most vulnerable ones”. Now that you are in heaven, I realize how much I have neglected this commitment in recent times. Perhaps it is your way of making me hear your voice again, with the same sweetness as always, not imposing, but inviting us to rediscover what is essential.
Thank you, dear Teacher, for what you have been and for what you continue to be in the hearts of those who had the grace to meet you. I am sure that now, in the light of the Father, your prayer for us will be even stronger.
With love and gratitude,
Sister Maria M.
