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St. Maria Goretti: A Journey into Forgiveness and Redemption
On July 5, 1902, Maria Goretti was brutally stabbed to death by Alessandro Serenelli. The 12-year-old virgin-martyr not only fought to maintain her purity, she forgave her killer and declared that she wanted him to be with her in Heaven. In what is the most extensive biography on the life of St. Maria Goretti in the English language, author Bret Thoman brings the story to life like never before.
In addition to drawing on the most updated biographies in Italian, the author personally visited the three sites where the young saint Corinaldo, the Roman countryside, and the farmhouse near Nettuno where she was attacked. The result is a fresh new biography combined with vivid descriptions of each place. The book also takes a deeper look at the life of Alessandro Serenelli, the other protagonist of the saga. It contains interviews with three Capuchin friars who lived with and knew Alessandro personally.
With a foreword by Cardinal Angelo Comastri, himself a devotee of St. Maria Goretti, and photographs, this second edition offers an unparalleled look at the lives, personalities, and milieu of Maria Goretti and Alessandro Serenelli. What emerges is a “Journey into Forgiveness and Redemption.” Whether you will visit these sites in Italy or your pilgrimage will be from the comfort of your armchair at home, may the Holy Spirit guide you as you begin.
In addition to drawing on the most updated biographies in Italian, the author personally visited the three sites where the young saint Corinaldo, the Roman countryside, and the farmhouse near Nettuno where she was attacked. The result is a fresh new biography combined with vivid descriptions of each place. The book also takes a deeper look at the life of Alessandro Serenelli, the other protagonist of the saga. It contains interviews with three Capuchin friars who lived with and knew Alessandro personally.
With a foreword by Cardinal Angelo Comastri, himself a devotee of St. Maria Goretti, and photographs, this second edition offers an unparalleled look at the lives, personalities, and milieu of Maria Goretti and Alessandro Serenelli. What emerges is a “Journey into Forgiveness and Redemption.” Whether you will visit these sites in Italy or your pilgrimage will be from the comfort of your armchair at home, may the Holy Spirit guide you as you begin.
147 pages, Paperback
Published August 3, 2021
About the author
Bret Thoman
47 books20 followersBret Thoman has a master’s degree in Italian from Middlebury College, a BA from the University of Georgia, and a certificate in Franciscan Studies. He is an FAA-licensed pilot and flew professionally for six years logging over 3,500 hours of flight time. After leaving flying, Bret started organizing and accompanying tours to Italy for St. Francis Pilgrimages, the company he founded in 2004.
Bret has written numerous articles, eight books and translated a dozen more from Italian to English.
He spends his free time reading, watching films, sailing in the Adriatic Sea, hiking anywhere off-road, and wiping noses
Bret lives in Loreto, Italy with his wife and three children.
He can be contacted at: bret.thoman@gmail.com
Bret has written numerous articles, eight books and translated a dozen more from Italian to English.
He spends his free time reading, watching films, sailing in the Adriatic Sea, hiking anywhere off-road, and wiping noses
Bret lives in Loreto, Italy with his wife and three children.
He can be contacted at: bret.thoman@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 19, 2021
Over the last few years I have read a number of books about Maria Goretti and Alessandro Serenelli. For in truth you cannot tell the one story without telling the other. But this volume was different from the others that I have read. Firsat this one is far more extensive. It is the longest and most comprehensive volume on Saint Maria Goretti that I have come across in English to date. Second it is in part a virtual pilgrimage with her. As Bret goes to all the key locations and experiences them and shares those experiences with us. Part of the description of the volume states:
“The author not only recounts the dramatic story that touched the heart of Catholics in Italy and throughout the world, the author brings the reader to the places where St. Maria Goretti and her killer, Alessandro Serenelli, lived.
Interspersed throughout the narrative, author Bret Thoman revisits their birth homes in Corinaldo (Maria) and Paterno (Alessandro), to Paliano where they met, and to Nettuno where the “deed” took place. He brings the reader to the places one can visit on pilgrimage today.”
The story of this saint, her attacker and his conversion come to life in a new and vivid way through this volume. You will find yourself immersed in the time, locals, and events. The chapters in this volume are:
Timeline
Introduction to the Life and Times of St. Maria Goretti
1: Luigi and Assunta Goretti
2: The Birth of Maria Goretti
3. In the Footsteps: Corinaldo
4. To the Roman Countryside
5: In the Footsteps: Paliano and Colle Gianturco
6: Alessandro Serenelli
7: In the Footsteps: Paterno
8: To the Swamps
9: The Pontine Marshes
10: Le Ferriere and Conca
11: Faith and Farms
12: The First Tragedy
13: Calm before the Storm
14: In the Footsteps: Le Ferriere and Borgo Montello
15: July 5, 1902
16: The Death and Martyrdom of Maria Goretti
17: To Prison
18: In the Footsteps: La Cascina and Nettuno
19: Forgiveness, Redemption, and Reconciliation
20: The glorification of St. Maria Goretti
21: In the Footsteps: the Capuchins and Redemption
This is a deeply moving read. The story is not an easy one to read. But one worth reading. If you already have a devotion to Maria Goretti you will love this volume. If you are familiar or even unfamiliar with her story this would be a great one to start with.
This book is well written. Incredibly researched. Both through the history, Italian sources, and visiting locations and people who knew some of the people in this story. And excellent book that I highly recommend.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan!
“The author not only recounts the dramatic story that touched the heart of Catholics in Italy and throughout the world, the author brings the reader to the places where St. Maria Goretti and her killer, Alessandro Serenelli, lived.
Interspersed throughout the narrative, author Bret Thoman revisits their birth homes in Corinaldo (Maria) and Paterno (Alessandro), to Paliano where they met, and to Nettuno where the “deed” took place. He brings the reader to the places one can visit on pilgrimage today.”
The story of this saint, her attacker and his conversion come to life in a new and vivid way through this volume. You will find yourself immersed in the time, locals, and events. The chapters in this volume are:
Timeline
Introduction to the Life and Times of St. Maria Goretti
1: Luigi and Assunta Goretti
2: The Birth of Maria Goretti
3. In the Footsteps: Corinaldo
4. To the Roman Countryside
5: In the Footsteps: Paliano and Colle Gianturco
6: Alessandro Serenelli
7: In the Footsteps: Paterno
8: To the Swamps
9: The Pontine Marshes
10: Le Ferriere and Conca
11: Faith and Farms
12: The First Tragedy
13: Calm before the Storm
14: In the Footsteps: Le Ferriere and Borgo Montello
15: July 5, 1902
16: The Death and Martyrdom of Maria Goretti
17: To Prison
18: In the Footsteps: La Cascina and Nettuno
19: Forgiveness, Redemption, and Reconciliation
20: The glorification of St. Maria Goretti
21: In the Footsteps: the Capuchins and Redemption
This is a deeply moving read. The story is not an easy one to read. But one worth reading. If you already have a devotion to Maria Goretti you will love this volume. If you are familiar or even unfamiliar with her story this would be a great one to start with.
This book is well written. Incredibly researched. Both through the history, Italian sources, and visiting locations and people who knew some of the people in this story. And excellent book that I highly recommend.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan!
April 12, 2024
Book itself was three star. It was just an okay biography. + a star (maybe a hundred stars) for Maria Goretti, the saint I chose for my Sacrament of Confirmation.
June 19, 2025
I liked when it talked about her, but there was a lot of the author talking about his pilgrimage and that got boring
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews