Born in Italy in 1890 to a poor family of tenant farmers, Maria Goretti led a very pious and simple life of work and prayer. Her father died when she was nine, and while her family worked the fields, she watched her younger sister and took care of household duties like sewing, cleaning, and cooking. She also did housework for the man next door and his 20-year-old son Alessandro. When Maria was 11 years old, Alessandro tried to force himself on her but Maria refused. Alessandro got so angry he stabbed her 14 times. Maria lived for 20 hours, and in the hospital, she said, “For the love of Jesus I forgive him.” After 30 years in prison, Alessandro begged Maria’s mother for forgiveness and became a Capuchin tertiary.
CHALLENGE
St. Maria Goretti’s example of forgiveness touched the lives of so many people, that over 250,000 came to her canonization ceremony. Charity is the pinnacle of all Christian virtues, and nothing can be more charitable than to forgive someone and pray for their conversion and salvation. Who do you need to forgive? Don’t wait another moment. Forgiveness is an act of the will, so will it: say “For the love of Jesus I forgive them.” Then pray for them, no matter what they’ve done to you.
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Being a good husband and father starts when a man honors his wife.
In Kevin Lowry’s new delightful, easy-to-read book Honor Thy Wife, he shares a month’s-worth of stories and the lessons he learned over 35+ years of marriage.
Fr. John Riccardo says, “Please read this and give it to every married man you know!”
And Michael Hernon, President and co-founder of Messy Family Project enthused, “All married men need this book—their wives will be grateful!”
