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Alessandro Serenelli stabbed eleven year old Maria Goretti fourteen times when she resisted him. After much suffering and right before she died that night in the hospital, she forgave Alessandro.
Alessandro was sentenced to 30 years in prison. 1/
Alessandro was sentenced to 30 years in prison. 1/
At his trial, he blamed Maria for her own death claiming that he was defending himself from a sexual attack that she herself instigated. In prison he was locked in isolation as his anger would lead to outbursts of physical violence against other inmates. 2/
One night, six years into his prison sentence, Maria appeared to Alessandro. She appeared in a garden picking 14 white lily flowers, handing them to him one by one. This gesture of forgiveness, this act of love, filled Alessandro with light and the Holy Spirit. 3/
He immediately became contrite for what he did to that little girl.
He finished the rest of his sentence in tranquility. In fact, his behavior became so docile, and the transformation of his person was so dramatic, that he was released three years early. 4/
He finished the rest of his sentence in tranquility. In fact, his behavior became so docile, and the transformation of his person was so dramatic, that he was released three years early. 4/
Shortly after his release he sought out, and received, the forgiveness of Maria’s mother. He eventually joined the Capuchin Franciscans and, as a lay brother, worked as a gardener, porter, and general laborer. 5/
He died in the peace of Christ, with the love and admiration of those that knew him, at the Cappuchin convent at Macerata, Italy, on May 6, 1970.
Before he died, he penned these words:
“I'm nearly 80 years old. I'm about to depart. 6/
Before he died, he penned these words:
“I'm nearly 80 years old. I'm about to depart. 6/
Looking back at my past, I can see that in my early youth, I chose a bad path which led me to ruin myself.
My behavior was influenced by print, mass-media and bad examples which are followed by the majority of young people without even thinking. And I did the same. 7/
My behavior was influenced by print, mass-media and bad examples which are followed by the majority of young people without even thinking. And I did the same. 7/
I was not worried.
There were a lot of generous and devoted people who surrounded me, but I paid no attention to them because a violent force blinded me and pushed me toward a wrong way of life.
When I was 20 years-old, I committed a crime of passion. 8/
There were a lot of generous and devoted people who surrounded me, but I paid no attention to them because a violent force blinded me and pushed me toward a wrong way of life.
When I was 20 years-old, I committed a crime of passion. 8/
Now, that memory represents something horrible for me. Maria Goretti, now a Saint, was my good Angel, sent to me through Providence to guide and save me. I still have impressed upon my heart her words of rebuke and of pardon. She prayed for me, she interceded for her murderer. 9/
Thirty years of prison followed.
If I had been of age, I would have spent all my life in prison. I accepted to be condemned because it was my own fault.
Little Maria was really my light, my protectress; with her help, I behaved well during the 27 years of prison... 10/
If I had been of age, I would have spent all my life in prison. I accepted to be condemned because it was my own fault.
Little Maria was really my light, my protectress; with her help, I behaved well during the 27 years of prison... 10/
and tried to live honestly when I was again accepted among the members of society. The Brothers of St. Francis, Capuchins from Marche, welcomed me with angelic charity into their monastery as a brother, not as a servant. I've been living with their community for 24 years, ... 11/
and now I am serenely waiting to witness the vision of God, to hug my loved ones again, & to be next to my Guardian Angel & her dear mother, Assunta.
I hope this letter that I wrote can teach others the happy lesson of avoiding evil & of always following the right path, ... 12/
I hope this letter that I wrote can teach others the happy lesson of avoiding evil & of always following the right path, ... 12/
like little children. I feel that religion with its precepts is not something we can live without, but rather it is the real comfort, the real strength in life & the only safe way in every circumstance, even the most painful ones of life.”
Alessandro Serenelli, May 5, 1961
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Alessandro Serenelli, May 5, 1961
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