Love. I feel so much love from all of my sisters in Christ. You all know how important the Maria Goretti Network is to me and many of you have contacted me today, St. Maria Goretti’s feast day. When I realized hit would be her feast day (some time last week) I pointed it out to Neal, as it is our 14th Anniversary today as well. On the day I realized the nice coincidence I had also had a very distinct urging to ask Neal to help me in the next book. I’d already felt strongly ‘urged’ to continue on our story…how it is to live in relationship and marriage with someone who has been through abuse. It has been a glorious journey with God showing up in many unique and mysterious ways, but it has also been a test of endurance, perseverance and fortitude on both of our parts. I realized that Neal needed to have his true voice in this next project. He has agreed to write his side of certain aspects of the journey.
Now I just need my office complete! 🙂
Today has been a gorgeous and relaxing day. I have done nothing but stay beach side and have read 200 pages of JOSHUA A Modern Day Parable. It is a very simple, yet moving book and as I reveled the in the peace of my rare solitude and the hypnotic tone of the ocean I was compelled to give thanks God for 10 specific things/areas of my life. I’ve been told to do this before as a penance for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and I’ve always enjoyed doing it. I am sad I don’t think to do it every day!
One of my thanks is for the community I have in family and friends and so I want you all to know that I truly do cherish you, whether you are family, friend or even a reader I’ve never met, I do cherish you.
St. Maria Goretti
Virgin and martyr, who passed a harsh childhood helping her mother with household matters and praying diligently, and, at the age of twelve, was killed defending her chastity against an aggressor near Nettuno in Lazio, Italy, pierced by the stabs of a dagger.
As she lay in the hospital, she forgave Alexander before she died. Her death didn’t end her forgivness, however.
Alexander was captured and sentenced to thirty years. He was unrepentant until he had a dream that he was in a garden. Maria was there and gave him flowers. When he woke, he was a changed man, repenting of his crime and living a reformed life. When he was released after 27 years he went directly to Maria’s mother to beg her forgiveness, which she gave. “If my daughter can forgive him, who am I to withold forgiveness,” she said.
When Maria was declared a saint in 1950, Alexander was there in the St. Peter’s crowd to celebrate her canonization. She was canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1950 for her purity as model for youth.
She is called a martyr because she fought against Alexander’s attempts at sexual assault. However, the most important aspect of her story is her forgiveness of her attacker — her concern for her enemy extending even beyond death. Her feast day is July 6. St. Maria Goretti is the patroness of youth and for the victims of rape.
(Above taken from Catholic.org)
Oh Saint Maria Goretti who, strengthened by God’s grace, did not hesitate even at the age of twelve to shed your blood and sacrifice life itself to defend your virginal purity, look graciously on the unhappy human race which has strayed far from the path of eternal salvation. Teach us all, and especially youth,with what courage and promptitude we should flee for the love of Jesus anything that could offend Him or stain our souls with sin. Obtain for us from our Lord victory in temptation, comfort in the sorrows of life, and the grace which we earnestly beg of thee (here insert intention), and may we one day enjoy with thee the imperishable glory of Heaven. Amen.
(as given by Mariagoretti.org)
Maria Goretti pray for us!
Blessings
Shannon