Father Albert Kleber, O.S.B., wrote of Annetta Bentivoglio, the future Mother Maddalena: “Who can fathom the working of grace in a strong soul? The story of the many Christians who for their faith had been thrown to the wild beasts in the Coliseum, to feast the eyes of Pagan Rome, had touched a sympathetic chord in Annetta’s soul. Since her home was not far distant from Coliseum, imposing even in its massive ruins, Annetta was wont to retire to this place to give herself to quiet musings. Here her imagination reconstructed the dens of the lions on the level with the arena, rebuilt the amphitheater, tier upon tier, and crowded these with pagan spectators; then she knelt down upon the sand that she knew had been consecrated by the blood of martyrs, flung her profession of faith at the spectators, made a large sign of the cross into the sand, prostrated herself cruciform upon this cross, and invited the lions to come forth and tear her to pieces for her faith—a martyr in desire.”