Alessandro Serenelli: A Story of Forgiveness

Charles D. Engel’s book, Alessandro Serenelli: A Story of Forgiveness is well-written and researched. The popular easy-to-read format succeeds as a textual weave of some deep themes that are part and parcel of the study of saints, historical context, conversion, and theological virtue and vice.Mr. Engel opens his book with an insightful introduction to the Catholic Church’s process of canonization, which is continued as references throughout the entire text. In his introduction, he also helps the reader to understand the Catholic Church’s sacred understanding of cult and its spiritual principle of accompaniment. Cited in this former regard is Pope Francis who sees accompaniment as an ‘art’ that humanizes evangelization and the removal of “our sandals before the sacred ground of the other.”While a book about Alessandro Serenelli, the monstrous murderer of young Maria Goretti, Engels very beautifully juxtaposes the two life stories from their beginning to their end with excellent use of archival references and interviews. The book is as such a study that reveals errors and myths that have accumulated through the years namely, the actual murder weapon and Serenelli’s attendance at Maria Goretti’s canonization at the Vatican.As for the theme of conversion, this delightful read delves into multiple acts of forgiveness each with their etiology and effect. Forgiveness is described as a means and as an end to conversion. This forgiveness is not exclusive to Maria toward her murderer, but to many who are part of their life stories. Forgiveness then in this text reveals a power that is, as St. Thomas Aquinas calls, a grace that can only work on nature. Indeed, the whole text is illuminative of grace.Finally, the theological study of virtue and vice is personalized in the story of Serenelli. He is a man deeply influenced by pervasive vices as he is a man persuasively moved by the virtue which is exhibited throughout most of his life. The use of virtue was willed by Serenelli, giving it a transformational power that will lead many to forgive him, admire him, and even suggest that he should be on the path to sainthood in the tradition of yet another murderer-turned-regretful-penitent, Saint Paul himself.Mr. Engel’s book is highly recommended to the hagiographer, historian, researcher, and theologian in each of us.

A deeply moving account of the young man who murdered and attempted to rape a young Italian girl, Maria Goretti, in the early part of the 20th century in rural southern Italy. That girl was, of course, later "raised to the altars" (i.e., canonized) by Pope Pius XII in the 1950's. Altho she had not died at the hands of those who hated her faith like early Christian martyrs, she was still a martyr to the Christian virtue of sexual purity. Interestingly, it is Alessandro's story which I find the more fascinating. He was a textbook case of an emotionally abused child, his mentally disturbed mother having tried to drown him as a baby following the tragic death (by disease) of an older brother. The mother was institutionalized, and the grieving father tried unsuccessfully to raise the boy on his own, a very difficult mission for an impoverished dirt farmer who worked from dawn to dusk. After the attempted sexual assault and murder of Maria, Alessandro spent many years in prison, during which he claimed to have had a vision of Maria in which she forgave him and offered him roses. His life changed, he repented of his crime and, upon release from prison, sought and received the pardon of Maria's mother, sister and other family members. He spent the remainder of his life as a groundskeeper at a monastery, since no other employer would hire him. The book is not long, under 100 pages, but that brevity makes it all the more powerful: I read it in a single sitting. There is no "filler" in this book, no pontificating by the author about his own interpretations of mercy, forgiveness, etc. In essence, it is a simple tale of a badly damaged boy who performs a horrible act, but is saved through the generosity of his victim and the mercy of God. It is also painfully relevant to all of us: who among us hasn't harmed another human being and later deeply regreted the damage we'd done? At times, we're too ashamed to admit to ourselves the ugliness of our actions. If, like me, you fall into that category, I recommend this book. It might just prompt you to forgive yourself, and seek the pardon of the person you harmed -- and God's, too.

This book is a concise but thorough account of the lives of Saint Maria Goretti and Alessandro Serenelli. A lot of information in the book was new to me so it made a very informative read of a familiar story. For one, I thought that Alessandro attended Maria's beatification. I now realize he did not, and I sympathize with his reason for not attending.This is a must-read book as it is a great example of the power of forgiveness. Mr. Engel did a good job juxtaposing history with valuable life lessons while not coming off as preachy or lengthy. Since it is a short read, it can be enjoyed in a short amount of time, like on vacation or free weekend. I highly recommend this book.

I find this story brings me so much hope. No matter what the circumstances, forgiveness and conversion are always possible. Forgiveness is not bound by death and conversion can still happen in a murderer’s soul.

Growing up with the Benedictine sisters I remember stories of saints during our religion class. One I remember is that of St. Maria Goretti’s story- the 11 year old girl killed while resisting attacks against her chastity. However, the attacker’s name was never mentioned.I planned a quiet weekend, complete rest to recover from the nasty colds. I started reading the book after lunch and about halfway through I thought my colds were getting worse because of my runny nose. I was so engrossed that I didn’t realize I was already in tears. It was supposed to be light reading but Mr. Engel tackled the subject of mercy and forgiveness with impressive and moving words.I highly recommend this book.