Santa Maria Goretti, the letter of those who killed her before dying

Italian Alessandro Serenelli he spent 27 years in prison after being convicted of the murder of Maria Goretti, an 11 year old girl who lived in Nettuno, in Lazio. The crime took place on July 5, 1902.

Alexander, then twenty, broke into her house and attempted to rape her. She resisted and warned him that she would commit a great sin. Enraged, he stabbed the girl 11 times. Before she died the next day, she forgave her attacker. After serving his sentence in prison, Alexander sought out Mary's mother to ask for forgiveness and she said that if her daughter forgave him, she would too.

Serenelli then joined theOrder of the Capuchin Friars Minor and lived in the monastery until his death in 1970. He left a letter with his testimony and regret for the crime committed against Maria Goretti, canonized in the 40s by pope Pius XII. The Saint's remains were transferred from the Neptune Cemetery to a crypt in the sanctuary of the Our Lady of Grace of Neptunor. The feast of Santa Maria Goretti is celebrated on 6 July.

The letter:

“I am almost 80 years old, I am close to completing my path. Looking back, I recognize that in my early youth I took a false path: the path of evil, which led to my ruin.

I see through the press that most of the young people, without being disturbed, follow the same path. I didn't care either. I had people of faith near me who did good, but I didn't care, blinded by a brute force that pushed me on the wrong path.

For decades I have been consumed by a crime of passion that now horrifies my memory. Maria Goretti, today Saint, was the good angel that Providence placed in front of my steps to save me. I still carry His words of reproach and forgiveness in her heart. She prayed for me, she interceded for her murderer.

Almost 30 years have passed in prison. If I hadn't been a minor, I would have been sentenced to life in prison. I accepted the deserved judgment, I admitted my guilt. Maria was truly my light, my protector. With her help, I did well during my 27 years in prison and tried to live honestly when society welcomed me back into its members.

The sons of St. Francis, the Capuchin Friars Minor of the Marches, welcomed me with seraphic charity, not as a slave, but as a brother. I have lived with them for 24 years and now I look serenely at the passing of time, waiting for the moment to be admitted to the vision of God, to be able to embrace my loved ones, to be close to my guardian angel and to his dear mother Assunta.

Those who read this letter may have it as an example to escape evil and follow good, always.

I think that religion, with its precepts, is not something that can be despised, but it is the real comfort, the only safe way in all circumstances, even in the most painful of life.

Peace and love.

Macerata, 5 May 1961 ″.