With Lilies and a Dagger.
By eileenleyva
@eileenleyva (27555)
Philippines
July 5, 2021 7:57pm CST
Listening to true-to-life stories was my cup of tea. Back in High School, I looked forward to my Religion class because our teacher, a beautiful young postulant named Miss Dungca, narrated the most wonderful stories of people from far away places.
One such story was that of an eleven year old peasant lass named Maria Goretti who was stabbed to death by an eighteen year old neighbor called Alessandro Serenelli because she wouldn't submit to his sensual desires. He threatened to kill her but the beauteous and chaste Maria endured the stabbing rather than submit to his sexual assault. Maria died but not before she forgave her attacker.
Miracles ensued following Maria's demise which led to her beatification. When she was canonized saint, Alessandro was present in the rites.
Since I learned of Maria Goretti's story, I made her my personal child saint. Even named my nursery school St. Maria Goretti Study Center.
The church celebrates her feast today, her dying day.
Her image has lilies and a dagger. I suppose we all know why.
By the way, my teacher became Sr. Lumen Gloria. She's a directress now of the congregation in Rome.
5 people like this
5 responses
@allen0187 (59648)
• Philippines
6 Jul 21
Thanks for sharing this wonderful story.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
6 Jul 21
Pastoral tales almost always seem mystical. This one is tragic but did produce a saint.
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
7 Jul 21
@allen0187 A wisdom beyond years. especially the lesson on forgiveness, puts many adults to shame.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (40946)
• Philippines
6 Jul 21
Wow, not very familiar with her. Sha a bit weird but I guess those are the things that make them saints. I think she was brave enough to face her assailant and even forgave him at the very last of her breath. That is pretty brave that she can do that.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (40946)
• Philippines
7 Jul 21
@eileenleyva Indeed, her bravery is really different and her ability to forgive is one of a kind.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
6 Jul 21
At an early age, Maria was already dutiful and devout. She worked about the home without prodding from her parents. Cared for her siblings and prayed religiously.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
6 Jul 21
St. Mary Goretti Hymn Sta. Maria Goretti ParishFr. Dave Concepcion - Parish Priest#stmarygorettihymn#stamariagorettiparish
1 person likes this
@prashu228 (37518)
• India
6 Jul 21
Good share i never heard about this..have a nice day
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
6 Jul 21
An errand too many yesterday. Got home before a heavy downpour closed the day.
Maria Goretti has since become a patron saint not only of children and victims of molestation but also of transformed inmates, like Alessandro Serenelli.
@RasmaSandra (97912)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
6 Jul 21
That is a fascinating and tragic story. I think that is awful that an 18-year-old would make advances to an 11-year-old who is still just a child,
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
6 Jul 21
Maria was beautiful, aside from her being so gentle and demure. She was left to care for her younger siblings. Her mother worked in the fields. Alessandro couldn't resist the temptation.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (97912)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
6 Jul 21
@eileenleyva being a Christian I won't get into what I really think of someone like Alessandro
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
6 Jul 21
@RasmaSandra He was a hot-blooded teen. He probably thought Maria was ripe for the picking as she was so beautiful.
It was a despicable crime, Alessandro realized later. He did smell the scent of roses in his jail cell the moment Maria breathed her last at the hospital. That was why he became the repentant sinner.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
6 Jul 21
That's a tragic story. Brave 11 year old who did not give to the sensual desire and temptation of her neighbour. She can be role model for young girls.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
6 Jul 21
I always invoke the help of Maria Goretti to keep safe the young lassies and ladies from harm. I do tell her story to all children under my wing.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
7 Jul 21
@arunima25 I take special interest in the youth who truly stand out given a difficult situation. There was Anne Frank who wrote her in her diary the travails of war without losing her hopes and dreams.
There's also Malala Yousafzai of Pakistan and Greta Thunberg of Sweden who, in their tender age, made the difference.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
7 Jul 21
@eileenleyva It's good to hear. Stories from our traditions and mythology are a good way to teach young children.
