The following is written by our guest author: "Teresa Rosa"
Purity in poverty would describe the life of St. Maria Goretti. Her life was based on Christ Jesus on the cross. She took up her cross and followed him, just as He called us to. Following her example of happiness in humility, sanctification in selflessness, and freedom in forgiveness, will lead others to our heavenly home. Because of the example of St. Maria’s purity, our lives can be holy whether you’re rich or poor.
Life for the Gorettis was difficult, but because of their faith, they were thankful for all that they had. Maria’s father had died, so it was a struggle to provide all that they needed. Although it was demanding, her mother and brother worked in the fields while she stayed at home as a second mom to her little sister. Catholicism was quite important to the family as shown by their praying the rosary every evening. Praying in this way, they were reminded of how valuable their faith was in keeping them thankful during hard times.
Have you ever desired something that you would be able to keep forever as long as you live? Maria had this kind of dream. Longing for her First Holy Communion, she asked her mother what she could do. Because she was poor, her friends and neighbors gave her the things she needed, like a dress and veil. Since she needed a catechist to teach her, she prayed and God provided. Finally, the special day came; her First Communion. When she received the Eucharist, she said, “I can no longer live without Jesus. How soon will I receive Him again?” Maria’s dream had come true and she would be pure as long as she lived.
This pure heart that Maria longed for would be tested in a most difficult way. A young man named Alessandro was mislead through books and papers that included descriptions of murder, cruelty, and torture. One day while Maria was alone with her baby sister, Alessandro pulled her inside and insisted that she sin against purity, but she resisted. Stabbing her not once, but fourteen times, he ran away. Quickly, her mother came when she heard the baby crying and found Maria wounded. Unable to save her, the doctors called a priest. Before receiving Holy Communion, she forgave her attacker. Alessandro was sentenced to 30 years in prison, but while there, he had a dream of Maria in a field of flowers with a bouquet of 14 lilies for him. Repentance for his crime freed him forever. When he was released, he went straight to her mother for forgiveness. She said to him, “My daughter has forgiven you. How can I do less?” It would seem that two hearts were tested in this difficult trial, and one helped the other to find purity.
St. Maria Goretti’s life was an example to all young people to not give into peer pressure. Our world today is not the world that it should be. Impurity, violence, and hatred surround all children through music, sports, movies and television. By adopting the bravery and purity of St. Maria, youth around the world can fight peer pressure and cause a ripple effect. Change can occur through happiness in humility, sanctification in selflessness, and freedom in forgiveness.
Life for the Gorettis was difficult, but because of their faith, they were thankful for all that they had. Maria’s father had died, so it was a struggle to provide all that they needed. Although it was demanding, her mother and brother worked in the fields while she stayed at home as a second mom to her little sister. Catholicism was quite important to the family as shown by their praying the rosary every evening. Praying in this way, they were reminded of how valuable their faith was in keeping them thankful during hard times.
Have you ever desired something that you would be able to keep forever as long as you live? Maria had this kind of dream. Longing for her First Holy Communion, she asked her mother what she could do. Because she was poor, her friends and neighbors gave her the things she needed, like a dress and veil. Since she needed a catechist to teach her, she prayed and God provided. Finally, the special day came; her First Communion. When she received the Eucharist, she said, “I can no longer live without Jesus. How soon will I receive Him again?” Maria’s dream had come true and she would be pure as long as she lived.
This pure heart that Maria longed for would be tested in a most difficult way. A young man named Alessandro was mislead through books and papers that included descriptions of murder, cruelty, and torture. One day while Maria was alone with her baby sister, Alessandro pulled her inside and insisted that she sin against purity, but she resisted. Stabbing her not once, but fourteen times, he ran away. Quickly, her mother came when she heard the baby crying and found Maria wounded. Unable to save her, the doctors called a priest. Before receiving Holy Communion, she forgave her attacker. Alessandro was sentenced to 30 years in prison, but while there, he had a dream of Maria in a field of flowers with a bouquet of 14 lilies for him. Repentance for his crime freed him forever. When he was released, he went straight to her mother for forgiveness. She said to him, “My daughter has forgiven you. How can I do less?” It would seem that two hearts were tested in this difficult trial, and one helped the other to find purity.
St. Maria Goretti’s life was an example to all young people to not give into peer pressure. Our world today is not the world that it should be. Impurity, violence, and hatred surround all children through music, sports, movies and television. By adopting the bravery and purity of St. Maria, youth around the world can fight peer pressure and cause a ripple effect. Change can occur through happiness in humility, sanctification in selflessness, and freedom in forgiveness.
No comments:
Post a Comment