Forgiveness has personally been one of the Christian virtues that I find hardest to emulate. Alessandro Serenelli demonstrates why it is so necessary. Serenelli after his murder of Goretti was spared the death penalty due to him being a minor under Italian law and sentenced to 30 years in prison, later reduced to 27. Initially he was hate filled, a true lost soul. This all changed in a twinkling of an eye six years into his prison term when he had a vision of Saint Maria Goretti forgiving him from Heaven. He became a model prisoner, at peace with himself and God. He was released from prison in 1929. In 1934 he begged forgiveness on his knees and in tears from the mother of the saint. She forgave him, saying she had no choice since Maria had forgiven him on her death bed.
He became a gardener at a Capuchin friary and eventually a lay brother. He died nearly 88 in 1970. In 1961 he wrote this:
I’m nearly 80 years old. I’m about to die.
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. 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. Now, that memory represents something horrible for me. Maria Goretti, now a Saint, was my good Angel, sent to me by 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. 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 and tried to live honestly when I was again accepted among the members of society. The Brothers of St. Francis, Capuchins from the 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, and now I am serenely waiting to witness the vision of God, to hug my loved ones again, and to be next to my Guardian Angel and her dear mother, Assunta.
I hope this letter that I have written can teach others the happy lesson of avoiding evil and of always following the right path, 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 and the only safe way in every circumstance, even the most painful ones of life.
Alessandro Serenelli, May 5, 1961
This letter is among the most powerful I’ve ever read. I think it deserves a place in another post. I wish I knew how to get it to those kids who are”influenced by print, mass-media and bad examples which are followed by the majority of young people without even thinking.” I don’t know of any better description of the 21st Century. Makes one’s heart weep.
Thank you for posting this. Forgiveness is a tough one for me also. Especially forgiving those closest to me. It takes Grace to forgive, a human heart unaided by Gods Grace cannot forgive.
As Rev. Stephan Starzynski reminds us, during his healing services, “There is no healing without forgiveness”.
Trust doesn’t necessarily go with forgiveness.
I find it odd that the U.S. Bishops, even bishops around the world for that matter, haven’t (at least to my knowledge) mentioned Alessandro Serenelli in all their anti-death penalty hand wringing. Am I the only one who wonders about this?
“I find it odd that the U.S. Bishops, even bishops around the world for that matter, haven’t (at least to my knowledge) mentioned Alessandro Serenelli in all their anti-death penalty hand wringing. Am I the only one who wonders about this?”
The deatth penalty, capital punishment is only imposed for homicide in the first degree, a murderer laying wait for his victim, murder in stealth (Father Mitch Pacwa, S. J. EWTN)
Maria’s death was a crime of lust, they call it passion, but it is selfishness to the nth degree.
Many capital executions result in repentance before actual death, even for Hitler.
The death penalty is a deterrence and defense of the community.
Do not let your child be seduced into believing that he can exchange his life in prison for a million dollars by becoming a contract killer.
“As Rev. Stephan Starzynski reminds us, during his healing services, “There is no healing without forgiveness”.
Trust doesn’t necessarily go with forgiveness.”
Forgiveness is a two way street. I forgive you. Now go away. Shake the dust from your feet against those who do not accept your forgiveness.
Love your enemies but do not expect them nor should you expect love in return.
I can forgive my murderer but I cannot forgive your murderer without becoming an accomplice after the fact. I find healing and peace in putting the issue into God’s hands. God made him, God will take care of him.
An evildoer, like Satan must go away when told to go away.