She had been taught by her parents the Catechism, and her beautiful soul had been educated to be aware that Christians belong to God totally, body and soul. She realized that her body was “God’s Temple” and that “The Spirit of God was living” among us (cfr. 1st Cor. 3:16) as in St. Paul’s address to the Corinthians.
The Church, as Pope John Paul II has repeatedly reminded the world, never loses touch with martyrdom. She teaches unequivocally that no one will enter heaven who is not ready to die for Christ if the hour demands it. It is the definite meaning of the greatest of Christ's commandments: to love God above all things, more than life itself.While in prison atoning for his crime, Alessandro had a vivid dream, so vivid, he said, that he “could not distinguish it from reality”. In his dream, his prison cell turned into a lush garden and Maria came to him bathed in light. She gave him 14 lilies (symbolic of the 14 stab wounds he dealt her years before). After he took the lilies in his hands, they turned into “flaming lights”. At this point in the dream, Maria told him that someday his soul would join hers in heaven. This was all too much for Alessandro. Until this point he had been unrepentant of his crime, but immediately his heart began to soften and he allowed himself to weep after so many years. After 27 years in prison, Alessandro was released. A changed man, he was discharged three years early because he was considered to be a “model prisoner”. After his release, he sought out Maria’s mother that he might beg for her forgiveness. You can imagine his surprise when she placed her hands on his head, caressed his face and gently said, "Alessandro, Marietta (Maria) forgave you, Christ has forgiven you, and why should I not also forgive. I forgive you, of course, my son! Why have I not seen you sooner? Your evil days are past, and to me, you are a long-suffering son." ("The Penitent" by Pietro DiDonato- Hawthorne Books, N.Y., 1962) From that day on, Alessandro was welcomed into the Goretti family as “Uncle Alessandro”. Alessandro died at the ripe old age of 89 after years of prayer and atonement for the crime of his youth. Calling St. Maria his “protectress,” Alessandro was known to call upon the young saint frequently for her intercession.
At the Manresa Spiritual Renewal Centre in Pickering, ON, retreatants of all ages can encounter a God of surprises.
In June, 2024, the domed roof and interior of St. Anne's Anglican Church in Toronto tragically burned down. However, the parish community continues to stand strong and serve its neighbourhood.
Pope Francis invites us to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, that the ecclesial community might welcome the desires and doubts of those young people who feel a call to serve Christ’s mission in the priesthood and religious life.
Pope Francis invites us to pray for the right to an education for migrants, refugees and those affected by war; that their right to an education, which is necessary to build a better world, may always be respected.
I had the wonderful opportunity to meet with the CND sisters and enjoy a special lunch of soup, pizza, salad, and dessert. While I was there, I thought it would be a great opportunity to ask the sisters about what they were looking forward to this Christmas.