St. Maria Goretti's relatives humbled by relics' visit to North Carolina
Thousands of people packed into Our Lady of Grace Church in Greensboro and St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte to venerate the relics of St. Maria Goretti during the "Pilgrimage of Mercy" tour that passed through the Diocese of Charlotte Oct. 23-25. The national tour brought the remains of the Church's youngest saint to the U.S. for the first time, and although it was a sacred moment for so many who came to venerate her relics, for two local families the visit meant much more.
Andy Goretti and Barbara Everitt, both of Charlotte, are cousins of the young saint, and they called the relics' visit to the Charlotte diocese a humbling and inspiring moment.
Andy Goretti and his wife Janet, members of St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte, and Everitt, a member of St. Matthew Church in Charlotte, attended Mass and spent time venerating the relics during the pilgrimage's stops in both cities.
Pictured: Children venerate the major relics of St. Maria Goretti Oct. 23 at Our Lady of Grace Church in Greensboro.
The national tour, which continues through Nov. 12, is under way just weeks before the Church begins an Extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy on Dec. 8. Besides the Charlotte diocese, the tour included stops at 24 other dioceses spanning 16 states.
St. Maria Goretti died in 1902 after being repeatedly stabbed by a young man who had attempted to rape her. The 11-year-old's last words were of mercy towards her 20-year-old attacker: "I forgive Alessandro Serenelli ... and I want him with me in heaven forever." Serenelli reported that St. Maria appeared to him in his prison cell six years after he was incarcerated on a 30-year sentence for her death. That occasion began his dramatic transformation from a violent and ruthless man to that of a renewed soul intent on spreading devotion to God and his saintly victim. St. Maria is held up by the Church as a model of the virtues of forgiveness, mercy and purity.
St. Maria's mother Assunta Goretti was unable to care for her surviving children after the girl's death, and the family was split up. Three of her brothers moved to America and put down roots, raising large families – some of whom eventually settled in Charlotte.
Related story and photo gallery: Greensboro, Charlotte parishes host relics of St. Maria Goretti
ANDY AND JANET GORETTI
Andy Goretti's grandfather Giovanni Goretti was St. Maria's cousin.
"Overall, growing up Catholic and having St. Maria Goretti as a relative was always an honor and humbling. I am the youngest of 10 children, and my mother always stressed the importance of faith and the Catholic Church and our connection to not just a saint, but a forgiving saint."
Two of Andy's siblings, brother Nicholas Goretti and sister Carolina Stratton, are members of St. Peter Church in Charlotte.
"It was always a thought for my wife Janet and I to someday attend her relics in Nettuno, Italy, so having the relics come to the U.S. and make stops in the Carolinas is really just a small miracle," he explains.
He went to see the relics in Greensboro and in Charlotte.
"The tour stop in Charlotte was pretty amazing and humbling. I also had the fortune to venerate in Greensboro the Friday before, and that was a very peaceful time and experience with St. Maria's relics."
His family also brought up the gifts at the Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas Church Oct. 24. He admits he has declined bringing up the gifts at Mass in the past out of feelings of unworthiness, but this time he agreed when approached by the tour's organizers.
"I have never brought the hosts up in my life. I never quite felt worthy or comfortable doing it when asked in the past, as bringing the hosts up, to me, is one of the most honored parts of Mass.
"On Saturday, I did not feel nervous or uncomfortable, but instead felt very privileged and honored to be taking the hosts to so many that went out of their way to come see St. Maria Goretti. I felt it was the least we could do as her descendants.
Father Carlos Martins of Treasures of the Church, which is leading the tour of St. Maria's relics in the U.S., gave an inspiring homily in which he recounted the story of St. Maria's mercy and her attacker's remorse, Andy says.
"Maria didn't put her faith in a situation. She put her faith in God," Father Martins said in his homily. "Because she made this decision, she left this world a saint."
Andy and Janet Goretti and their children, Alex, Natalie and Drew, bring up the gifts at Mass honoring their saintly cousin Oct. 24 at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte.Says Andy, "He did a fantastic job retelling the story and the personal miracles he was aware of. Having my children hear the story from him will be something they, nor my wife and I, will ever forget.
"Both Friday and Saturday's visits with St. Maria's relics, the venerators and Father Martins were easily the biggest highlight in my faith life. If nothing else, I would like to thank all that went to see the relics in the Carolinas and that I felt very privileged to attend Mass with so many who came out to touch St. Maria."
Andy's wife Janet, who came into the Church in 2004, said attending the Oct. 24 Mass was truly moving. "I was amazed to see the extraordinary number of people there. Father Carlos' narrative of the events surrounding her attack, death and the conversion of Alessandro Serenelli was so moving."
Learning of St. Maria's mother's tremendous suffering moved her the most, she says. "Assunta Goretti is an inspiration to all of us who are mothers and know how much we suffer for our children.
"The message of forgiveness is so strong throughout the story of St. Maria Goretti and so appropriate in today's world," she adds. "It is something we all need to practice daily – especially, as Father Carlos shared so emphatically, forgiving ourselves."
BARBARA EVERITT
"As a child, I often heard about Maria's story and carried her holy card in my missal," recalls Barbara Everitt, another Goretti cousin. "As time passed and I became immersed in life (three children of my own, teaching high school, moving away from most of my family), the story also dimmed. I regret saying that I did not stay as connected as I should have.
She heard about the relics tour from a cousin in New Jersey, and said, "the fire returned. I was so excited to recognize that I could, in fact, personally see her relics."
Everitt is a descendant of Domenico Rossetti, who married Maria Goretti's sister, Rosa Carlini. Rossetti is her paternal grandfather's father, which makes St. Maria and her grandfather first cousins.
"I remember my grandfather always saying Maria was his cousin and that he was a baby when she moved away from Corinaldo. His aunt and other cousins moved back after Maria was killed," she explains.
Her grandfather moved to New Jersey as a young man and had nine children "who in turn had scores of offspring," Everitt says.
Everitt attended the Solemn High Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas Church Oct. 24 with one of her daughters and her 12-year-old granddaughter Sara. "It was so beautiful. To think that Maria was the same age as Sara when she was martyred is a sobering thought. To realize that Maria's resolve resulted in hundreds of thousands of pilgrims venerating her is humbling. To be related to her is a gift – a gift I will never take lightly again."
She is also thankful for the gift of her newfound relatives, Andy and Janet Goretti, whom she had not met before.
"Finding out about Andy, a cousin that lives so near to me, is another gift from Maria!"
"What a difference in all of our lives has been made by this little saint. We are blessed to be a part of her family and so honored to have an intermediary in heaven."
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter
What others said about the tour of St. Maria Goretti's relics
"The reception and veneration of the relics of a beloved saint is an occasion to bring to the fore that which is generally hidden from view. The supernatural gift of faith, an otherwise invisible reality, took form this weekend in a tapestry of thousands and manifested in an almost miraculous way giving us all a glimpse of the hidden power that animates the lives of believers. Not only were the holy relics of a saint on display, so was the supernatural gift of faith. The saint and the holy faith of believers synergistically radiated a moving display of holiness and grace. Personally and pastorally, I am profoundly grateful to St. Maria Goretti."
— Father Patrick Winslow, pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Church, which hosted the tour in Charlotte
"The parishioners, staff, clergy and faculty of Our Lady of Grace Church and School were all very excited to welcome her to the parish in October. It is a great honor that we can be a part of this great Pilgrimage of Mercy. Maria Goretti's tour around the States in conjunction with the Church's message of forgiveness is very dear to all of us at Our Lady of Grace. It was in God's infinite mercy that Mary was spared original sin and so could be filled with grace upon grace. Father (Eric) Kowalski and I stress frequently in our teaching and preaching that nothing can separate us from the love of God except an unrepentant heart. St. Maria Goretti is the witness of faith in action! She offered her death to soften the heart of her attacker, and he was saved.
"I was particularly excited to share St. Maria Goretti with our parishioners and all the visitors who came to Greensboro and Charlotte for these days of prayer. When I was in Rome, I visited Maria's church in Nettuno on many occasions. That church, too, is the parish of Our Lady of Grace! Moved by her story, softened by her life's witness and inspired by her heroic death, I saw how far this little girl had come in her walk with the Lord at such a young age. First, it put me to shame! Secondly, however, it challenged me to seek nothing but Christ, nothing but a radical love of Christ. Without having to make a pilgrimage to Italy, I hope the faithful visiting her will be challenged, as I was, to conversion and radical love."
— Father Noah Carter of Our Lady of Grace Church, which hosted the tour in Greensboro
"St. Maria Goretti's visit to Charlotte was a special grace, for all of us who helped plan the event and for everyone who attended. Her choice to hold fast to God, and her extraordinary act of forgiveness, is a powerful witness to us all and especially to youth. We were pleased to see so many young people come out in her honor, and seek her friendship and intercession."
— Rick Rotondi of Saint Benedict Press, sponsor of the relics tour to North Carolina
"When I learned that St. Thomas Aquinas was looking for volunteers to help make St. Maria Goretti's visit run smoothly, I jumped at the opportunity. It was amazing to see so many people come to venerate her relics and ask for her intercession. I have been suffering with a herniated disc in my back, and the pain sent me to the ER on Friday. The pain was still so bad on Saturday that during Mass I had to stand to listen to Father Carlos' homily (which was amazing). So I taped my St. Maria prayer card to my back and today is the first day in weeks that I have been pain-free. Perhaps even more important than the pain relief is the message of mercy and forgiveness that I took away with me.
"My oldest was confirmed the very next day and I was so full of joy and kept praying the prayer that Father Carlos taught us on Saturday: 'St. Maria Goretti, in imitation of you and for love of Jesus, I forgive anyone who has ever hurt me, and I pray for forgiveness from anyone I may have hurt.'
"What a beautiful weekend filled with so many graces!"
— Brice Griffin, volunteer from Charlotte
"At a time when Christ is being censored throughout the public square, we see that violence and sexual perversions of all sorts flood our airways and poison our children daily. By following St. Maria Goretti's example of love, forgiveness of her attacker and devotion to chastity, we can through our example help bring Christ back to the public square and do our part with Christ's help to lead the next generation to a holier life.
"This pilgrimage is about more than experiencing relics, it is about coming away with a conversion of heart to lead the life Christ wants for us."
— Jackie Gallagher, organizer for the North Carolina leg of the relics tour
CHARLOTTE — Hundreds gathered for a bittersweet celebration Oct. 31 to say thanks and goodbye to the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration, who are leaving Charlotte this month for Hanceville, Ala., to join other members of their cloistered order.
The Poor Clares will move to the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, home of Mother Angelica, foundress of the Eternal Word Television Network. Mother Dolores Marie, who has been abbess at the Poor Clares' St. Joseph Monastery in Charlotte, will take over as abbess there. Plans for a permanent monastery in the Diocese of Charlotte are being put on hold, but the nuns will retain their 333-acre tract near Shelby in the hopes that one day they will return as their order grows.
At a farewell Mass and reception at St. Ann Church, Bishop Peter Jugis injected a note of laughter amid the sadness, expressing his hope that "the second coming of the Poor Clares will come before the second coming of Jesus Christ."
The Poor Clares moved to the diocese from Ohio in 2010, living in a small house next to St. Ann School that they converted into their monastery, where they prayed for the people of the diocese and for an increase in priestly vocations. Over the past five years, the nuns have been a welcome sight at diocesan celebrations including ordination Masses and the annual chrism Mass. They have served as a constant witness to the beauty of consecrated life, living in service to the Church through their sacrifices of prayer, penance and semi-enclosure.
At their farewell Mass on Oct. 31, Bishop Jugis shared what he believes is the legacy the Poor Clares leave to the diocese: "For one thing, the legacy of joyfully following Christ. The Poor Clares are joyful sisters. They have the joy that comes from knowing Jesus and living in Him," he said. "Have you ever seen a sad Poor Clare of Adoration?"
"The Poor Clares' charism of Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament stands as a living example of the doctrine of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Jesus is here – really, truly and substantially present in the Eucharist – and the Poor Clares perpetually remind us of this beautiful truth and treasure of the Catholic faith."
At the reception after Mass, Mother Dolores Marie expressed a few words of thanks before being overcome with emotion. She and the other five sisters spent much of the party hugging the many children and other people from around the diocese who came to wish them well, everyone's smiles mixing with tears.
Following the news of their upcoming departure, there has been an outpouring of love for the Poor Clares.
"It has been a huge blessing and a piece of heaven for our family to have the Poor Clares here with us in Charlotte for five and a half years," said John and Lucy Torres, parishioners of St. Ann Church. "Saying goodbye will be difficult, and we will miss them tremendously. We are forever grateful to God for having them in our lives."
"Upon hearing the news of their transfer at the mandate of the Holy See, I could only think of the words of the angel to St. Joseph, 'Rise, take the Child and His Mother, and go.' Through our Holy Father, the nuns of St. Joseph Monastery now receive these same words. This cross is difficult to accept, and yet we can be confident that their unwavering 'yes' to Jesus Christ and His Holy Church will bring a shower of graces to us and to their new home," said Father Benjamin Roberts, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Monroe, who regularly celebrated Mass for the Poor Clares.
Abbey and Rick Lejk, parishioners of St. Ann Church, said, "Ever since their arrival on our campus at St. Ann's, the Poor Clares have been a beacon of love, a fount of joy and a source of hope. They are a group of ladies who shine constantly with God's blessings which they share unhesitatingly with all. These holy ladies, chosen by God to serve all, will leave a hole in our parish that will never be filled until they return. We pray for their safe trip and pray that they return to us very soon."
"Having the Poor Clares here in our community has been such a blessing to our family, especially our daughters. Seeing their beautiful vocation in action has been a tremendous reminder of how joyful the consecrated life can be and how it must please Our Lord," said Bill and Debbie Rusciolelli, members of St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte. "We will, of course, miss having them nearby but our prayers will never be far."
"Thanks in part to their powerful prayers for vocations, both my brother and my son are now in seminary for our diocese," said Beth Ohlhaut of St. Ann Church. "Their friendship has borne fruits for our diocese and our family that are immeasurable. Our love for them won't change with the distance, but we will so miss seeing them and just knowing they're here praying with us and for us."
"For so many of us here in Charlotte, it was like having a little bit of heaven right there in that small brick house off Hillside Avenue. Being with the sisters – even for a few minutes – was always an opportunity for grace. Hearing them chant prayers in their chapel or just seeing them at Mass always lifted my spirits," said Aleanne Kennelly of St. Patrick Cathedral. "The Poor Clares have shown us how to live as saints. Their lives are full of selfless love and holiness, sacrifice and discipline, unwavering faith and trust in God and, of course, devotion and prayer to Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist. They have a spiritual strength and wisdom that comes from this devotion ... but it is the pure joy of the Poor Clares that is perhaps their greatest gift. Their faces glow with happiness and it draws people to them. We could never thank them enough for all they have done for us."
"Our son Chris was one of the first to meet the Poor Clares when he helped unload the rental truck with their belongings when they moved to Charlotte. I think they started praying for him then and continue as Chris grows in his faith," said Allen and Gini Bond of St. Mark Church, whose son Chris is a seminarian for the diocese. "We have been truly blessed to have them as our dear friends but also as great prayer warriors for us, our diocese and our Holy Catholic Church. They will be missed but know that each time we turn on EWTN we will remember them. May their order prosper and grow."
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter
An outpouring of love for the Poor Clares
Like the many past and current sisters that have been and continue to be an integral part of St. Ann's history, it is with a sad heart that they will be relocating. Their dedication and love for the Church is evident in their silent devotion and spiritual reverence. Their quiet presence will be missed.
— Dr. George Raad
Having the Poor Clares here in our community has been such a blessing to our family, especially our daughters. Seeing their beautiful vocation in action has been a tremendous reminder of how joyful the consecrated life can be and how it must please Our Lord. We will, of course, miss having them nearby but our prayers will never be far. If it be God's Will, we look forward to having them back in North Carolina in the near future.
— Bill and Debbie Rusciolelli and family
I first met the Poor Clares shortly after they arrived at St. Ann's when Father Reid asked me to help them with a few things. What began as a request for help grew into a deep and abiding friendship that has been a great blessing for me and for my family – a lifelong gift. My husband Kevin teased me early on saying..."you can't keep going by to see the Poor Clares all the time. They are contemplative nuns and they have a mission to fulfill!!" And of course I knew that. But whenever I had the chance to help I welcomed the call. And whenever I needed their prayers, they welcomed me into the monastery.
For so many of us here in Charlotte, it was like having a little bit of heaven right there in that small brick house off Hillside Avenue. Being with the sisters – even for a few minutes ‒ was always an opportunity for grace. Hearing them chant prayers in their chapel or just seeing them at mass always lifted my spirits.
The Poor Clares have shown us how to live as saints. Their lives are full of selfless love and holiness, sacrifice and discipline, unwavering faith and trust in God and of course devotion and prayer to Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist. They have a spiritual strength and wisdom that comes from this devotion and they in turn give peace and comfort to all around them. This was true for my family and I would without question want the Poor Clares by our side in any battle.
But it is the pure joy of the Poor Clares that is perhaps their greatest gift. Their faces glow with happiness and it draws people to them. I have a quote on my refrigerator from Juliana of Norwich that says..."The greatest honor you can give Almighty God, greater than all your sacrifices and mortifications, is to LIVE JOYFULLY because of the knowledge of His love." The sisters live this quote every day.
We could never thank them enough for all they have done for us. It is a heartache to send them to Alabama and they will be greatly missed. But we will trust God–as they do–that He has a plan and we pray Our Lord will send them back to us one day to fulfill their mission here in the Charlotte diocese.
— Aleanne Kennelly
Ever since their arrival on our campus at St. Ann's, the Poor Clares have been a beacon of love, a fount of joy and a source of hope. They are a group of ladies who shine constantly with God's blessings which they share unhesitatingly with all. These holy ladies, chosen by God to serve all, will leave a hole in our parish that will never be filled until they return. We pray for their safe trip and pray that they return to us very soon.
— Abbey and Rick Lejk, parishioners at St. Ann Church in Charlotte
It has been a huge blessing and a piece of heaven for our family to have the Poor Clares here with us in Charlotte for five and a half years. Saying goodbye will be difficult, and we will miss them tremendously. We are forever grateful to God for having them in our lives.
— John and Lucy Torres
The sisters have become very special friends of our family through these brief five and a half years. They've inspired my daughters to make and sell St. Therese sacrifice beads to help them build their monastery and one of my sons to landscape their front yard and install a new St. Joseph statue for his Eagle Scout project. And thanks in part to their powerful prayers for vocations both my brother and my son are now in seminary for our diocese. Their friendship has borne fruits for our diocese and our family that are immeasurable. Our love for them won't change with the distance but we will so miss seeing them and just knowing they're here praying with us and for us.
— Dan and Beth Ohlhaut and Family
It has been a huge blessing and a piece of heaven for our family to have the Poor Clares here with us in Charlotte for five and a half years! We will always remember the many beautiful and 'funny' memories we shared together with them. Saying goodbye will be difficult, and we will miss them tremendously, however, we are forever grateful to God for having them in our lives. They will always be close to our hearts and in our prayers as we wait for God's Divine Providence to hopefully bring them back to Charlotte again.
— John and Lucy Torres and family
For nearly five years it was my great privilege to offer Mass for the Poor Clares on Monday afternoons. I was fortunate to serve as master of ceremonies for the First Profession of Sister Gabriella, and a year later to offer the Mass when she renewed her vows. The opportunities to join with them for the Solemn Professions of Sister Marie Therese and Sister Immaculata were times of grace and favor. I treasure those times of prayer and the opportunity that I had to be in the presence of those who so clearly radiate the joy of Jesus Christ.
Upon hearing the news of their transfer at the mandate of the Holy See, I could only think of the words of the angel to St. Joseph, "Rise, take the Child and His Mother, and go." Through our Holy Father, the nuns of St. Joseph Monastery now receive these same words. This cross is difficult to accept, and yet we can be confident that their unwavering Yes to Jesus Christ and His Holy Church will bring a shower of graces to us and to their new home.
I am a better priest because of the prayers of the Poor Clare Nuns and the honor that I had to exercise my priestly ministry for them.
— Father Benjamin Roberts, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Monroe
Our son Chris was one of the first to meet the Poor Clares when he helped unload the rental truck with their belongings when they moved to Charlotte. I think they started praying for him then and continue as Chris grows in his faith.
The Poor Clares are family to us and their first Easter in Charlotte was spent with them and the rest of our family for a special Easter celebration. We will never forget their facial expressions as they pulled away, with all our grandkids, for a hay ride in a large wagon pulled by a tractor driven by our son-in-law. All we could hear was giggles and laughter during the entire ride, such fun!
We have been truly blessed to have them as our dear friends but also as great prayer warriors for us, our diocese and our Holy Catholic Church. They will be missed but know that each time we turn on EWTN we will remember them. May their order prosper and grow.
— Allen and Gini Bond, whose son Chris Bond is a seminarian for the diocese