The Possession of Clara Germana Cele

In 1906, Clara, a 16-year-old orphan at St. Michaels Mission in Natal, South Africa, began exhibiting strange behaviors. Initially kind and devout, she started talking to unseen entities, claiming she had made a deal with Satan. Her behavior escalated to tearing at her clothes, growling, and speaking in languages she had never learned.

Clara also demonstrated clairvoyance, revealing private information about the nuns and other students. Most alarmingly, she was observed levitating up to five feet in the air.

As Clara’s condition worsened, displaying inhuman strength and violent outbursts, the church decided to perform an exorcism. Rev. Mansueti and Father Erasmus Horner conducted the ritual over two grueling days in front of 170 witnesses.

During the exorcism, Clara exhibited supernatural abilities, including body contortions and snake-like transformations. The demon possessing her claimed to be Satan himself, summoned by Clara’s dark purpose. The exorcism concluded with Clara levitating one final time before the demon departed, leaving behind a foul stench.

Although Clara initially recovered and seemed to return to normal, signs of possession resurfaced in 1907. Nuns observed her making strange noises and levitating again. Father Erasmus returned to perform a second exorcism, which lasted 10 days.

During this time, Clara violently attacked Father Mansueti, nearly choking him. Eventually, the evil presence left Clara’s body, once again leaving behind the smell of rotting meat. After this second exorcism, Clara finally returned to her normal self.