On this beautiful morning my husband, Neal, and I celebrate 16 blessed years as husband and wife and as a community we celebrate the martyrdom of St. Maria Goretti. I do not believe there is ‘coincidence’ in the fact that I have been led to do work for the Maria Goretti Network or that Neal and I share the most blessed sacrament of the church (beyond holy orders) with the feast day of my patron saint.
It is not ‘coincidence’ that just months before I met my husband 19 years ago I stood at the altar alongside my best friend as she exchanged marital vows and that Fr. Gavin Vaverek, the priest blessing this special occasion, would turn out to be the co-founder of the Maria Goretti Network, or the fact that in the very chapel to my left that day were relics of Maria Goretti. I had never met Fr. Gavin nor did I know anything about St. Maria Goretti at the time which is why ‘coincidence’ plays not part…however, ‘Godwinks’ do. 🙂 I love that I chose Maria Goretti as my patron saint for confirmation at a time when I didn’t appreciate the gift I was receiving. I love that God clearly orchestrates the little ‘Godwinks’ as we move through each day weaving our lives together into a beautiful tapestry that reveals His good works and love.
Even though I continue to struggle with this retched dry spell I can still appreciate the magnitude of the love that God has for me and for all of us. And I am in awe of how he uses the examples of our lives to speak to others through the generations to help guide us on the timeless path to true peace.
On St. Maria Goretti’s Feast Day I want to share with you a poem that was given to me by the gentleman that I met in South Bend, IN. He was the driver from the hotel I stayed at who spoke of the strength of his wife who is a survivor of sexual abuse and the toll it takes on a marriage. He had written this poem a few years back and sent it to me in the mail. He gave me permission to share and I feel this is a great prayer for those of us who have suffered abuse to offer up today on this feast day of St. Maria Goretti.
Lord, help me acknowledge that I am a victim of abuse.
Transform me from being a victim into becoming a survivor.
Teach me to understand that the abuse was not my fault.
Release me from the shame and guilt that I carry inside me.
Embrace me with love during those times when I do not love myself.
Empower me to break the silence, to tell my secret to those I love.
Calm me when I feel anger and frustration building up inside me.
Comfort me when the pain fills me and the tears will not stop.
Strengthen me when I feel alone or think that no one cares.
Nurture me so that I grow and learn to trust and love others.
Open me so I might feel the emotions that are locked inside.
Purify me so that I am clean and innocent in your eyes.
Heal me so that I can live my life as a whole person.
Use me to help others who are victims to become survivors.
Amen
~Stephen T. Fader[/box]
Thank you Stephen for your transparency and willingness to offer a prayer for all of us survivors. God Bless you and your wife! A special blessing to all of you today and to anyone else celebrating a wedding anniversary – Happy Anniversary! 😉
Blessings
Shannon
PS. If you want more information on the Maria Goretti Network go to www.mgoretti.org
Also there is only 18 days left in the campaign to raise funds for the Hope for the Hopeless book project with Hopeful Hearts! PLEASE HELP OUT… COMMENT ON THE CAMPAIGN PAGE and forward to your friends!