st. maria goretti - an inspiration.

wednesday, july 6: feast of maria goretti

a little late in posting this, but here we go...

i am fascinated by st. maria goretti, i am inspired by her, and every time i hear her story, i get the chills. here is a brief excerpt on her life, from The Anawim Way:

Maria Goretti, the daughter of a poor Italian tenant-farmer, was born in Corinaldi, Italy, in 1890. she had a difficult childhood working hard to help her family, and never learned to read or write because she was not able to attend school. Alessandro, a neighbor, began making advances on her when she was eleven. She never told her mother because she feared he would harm the family. Several months later he demanded that she submit to him, but she refused. He seized her, and as she struggled, Maria said, “No, God does not wish it. It is a sin. You would go to hell for it.” Alessandro struck her with a long dagger eleven times. Maria chose to die rather than sin. Before she died, she forgave Alessandro and prayed that they would be in heaven together some day. While in prison Allesandro repented, and both he and Maria’s mother were at her canonization in 1950. She is patroness of teenage girls, a martyr for purity.

i mean, wow, really? taking into consideration my vision for a world free of human trafficking, prostitution, and all abuse, especially that affecting women and children, st. maria goretti is my go-to. when i work with the girls at SOSCFI and hear their stories, i begin to think, st. maria goretti, help us! when i work with the high school girls in my girls club and try my hardest to teach them positive values, life skills, and empower them with the talents and skills they already naturally possess, st. maria goretti is the one.

i feel like i need to start seeking the prayers of st. maria goretti more – especially given all of the things i just mentioned. but really, she is one of my favorites, and i hope that if ever i am faced in a threatening situation, in any way, i pray that i may have the faith, boldness, conviction and courage to call upon the Lord in such a strong, profound way. so inspiring!

the gospel of this day was especially moving to me, and thought i would share it with you from The Anawim Way:

…on Mt 10:1-7

God works with ordinary people to establish his kingdom on earth. No one is excluded. It doesn’t matter who we are, what our gifts are, or what our weaknesses are. Each one of us has to say in faith, god has chosen me; I do not know why but he has. It is part of the mystery of God’s love. when God calls us, he has a great work, a great plan, a great hope ready to emerge from our response. He knows better than we how each one of us can be his instrument in helping to change the world.

at prayer, sr. t and i reflected on this beautiful scripture and discussed how, so many times we are just completely baffled by the work that God is moving in us to accomplish, and we have realized that it is all great privilege. i see it as a responsibility and an opportunity, and what a blessing it is. “God has chosen me; I do not know why but he has.” and because of that, i am called to respond…and it is up to me how i choose to do that. i have come to find out though, that with the determination and the desire to find out how i can serve as that instrument to help change the world, God will bless that and indeed reveal to me, when ready [it is time], how i am to do so.

i think about my life right now as a missioner, and i reflect on all of the many ways the lord has just surprised me with my next steps on mission. looking back, i had no idea that i would handle so many types of apostolate work. but apparently, it’s true – when we are open and choose to respond to the call, we will be used to serve others. and it’s such a blessing! difficult, very challenging, but it is a blessing – and it gets easier, and it gets better, and it is life-giving. that’s affirmation right there. :)