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| Alessandro Serenelli |
It is almost impossible to find a picture of St. Maria Gorretti that isn't sappy, so instead I've chosen one of her murderer. This is Alessandro Serenelli, who, at the age of 19 in an attempt to rape the eleven year old Maria, stabbed her 14 times. As he was stabbing her she cried, "No. It is a sin. God forbids it! You will go to hell!" She seems to have been more concerned about his ultimate fate than her danger. Later when she was dying, and was asked if she forgave him she said, "Yes! Yes! For the love of Jesus, I forgive him, and I want him to be with me one day in heaven!" Years later, she appeared to him in his cell; he was converted, and went on to live an exemplary Christian life. I seem to remember that there has been talk of his canonization. You can read more here.
The reason that I wanted to write this today is because of the SCOTUS decision. I've been pretty quiet about it because I don't think I have much to say that I think is helpful. Then, when I noticed that is was the feast of St. Maria Goretti today, I started thinking about her focus on the one important thing.
I wish that there were some way to let people know that the reason that we oppose this decision is not because we hate, or are afraid, but because we want them all to be in Heaven with us. I surely do not know how to accomplish this. I may have some work to do on myself before I can say that honestly, but it's necessary work. It's hard, sometimes, to keep from looking at how things affect me, rather than what I'm being asked to do. I only hope that whenever I find myself face-to-face with someone who disagrees with me about the decision, I can look at them and think how much I really want that person to be in Heaven with me.
AMDG
Amen. Did you know that Maria's body will be in America? She will be at my daughter, Margaret's parish, St Monica, in Suwanee, Ga Oct 27
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to check that out.
DeleteAMDG
That article you linked to said this about faith and the current marriage crisis: "The Christian mystery of the man and the woman, handed down from the apostles and preserved entire by the saints of every age, has become a scandal to modern man, a stumbling block that causes the weak in faith to falter."
ReplyDeleteMy faith's not that weak, but even so, your stalwart faith, Janet, reminds me I've got some work to do in that department. Thanks for this.
That article was written in 2002 and it perfectly describes what's going on.
DeleteAMDG
As for my faith, I hope it continues to stalwart when it's tried.
DeleteAMDG
Good morning, Sister! I have noticed that you are "following" me, and I'm so glad you left a commented. Thank you for your prayers. I can use all I can get.
ReplyDeleteAMDG