A Girl's Revenge On Her Own Murderer

Short Summary: At age 11, Maria Goretti was murdered by Alessandro Serenelli, who she forgave with her dying words, leading to his profound conversion and eventual life as a Franciscan brother after serving 27 years in prison.

Details

Location: Nettuno, Italy

Year: 1902

Prayer: Compassionate Lord, From the inspiration of Maria Goretti, help me to forgive all people in my life that have harmed me, both living and deceased. If I have already forgiven them, permit me to surrender any buried resentments that are beyond my awareness, to experience full and complete forgiveness. Allow me to love them so deeply, and bring us together into the unity of your Holy Spirit. Heal me of any wounds, both major and minor. Restore all broken relationships in my life, in preparation for eternal communion. Amen.

Verse: Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. -Jas 5:13-16

Full Story

At age 11, Maria Goretti was a remarkably holy child, helping her widowed mother with the farm and her 4 younger siblings. A crude neighbor, Alessandro Serenelli, found her alone doing housework one day, and tried to rape her. She successfully resisted with all her might, pleading with Alessandro to stop as he stabbed her 14 times. During the struggle Maria was pleading with him not to sin, and warning him of hell. Maria died the next day. Her last words were, “I forgive Alessandro Serenelli … and I want him with me in heaven forever." Alessandro spent the next 27 years in prison for her murder. While there, he had a vision in which Maria appeared to him, offering 14 lilies (one for each stab wound), and telling him of her forgiveness. This event opened his heart in a profound way, leading to his repentance and deep conversion. After becoming a model prisoner and released on good behavior, he went on to become a Franciscan brother, living the last 30 years of his life in a religious community. He described Maria Goretti as having been "sent to me by Providence to guide and save me... She prayed for me, she interceded for her murderer."

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