Saints for all Problems

The recent Feast of Saint Thomas, the Apostle, famously known as ‘Doubting Thomas’, is another clear illustration of the power of God’s Grace in overcoming the weaknesses of human nature. He is a Saint in whom many of us might find a kindred spirit. Thomas was not with the other Apostles when Jesus first appeared to them following His Resurrection. When they told him, with great excitement, “We have seen the Lord!”, he flatly refused to believe unless he could both see for himself and touch the Wounds of the Crucifixion. Having been granted this privilege and having acknowledged Jesus as his Risen Lord and God, he was gently chided by Our Lord for requiring concrete proof of the Resurrection. Referring to the countless generations (including ourselves) who, thereafter, would have no choice but to have faith in the Teachings of the Church on this Miracle of Life over death, Christ praises those who believe without having seen Him in His Human nature.

​An image of Saint Maria Goretti painted by the Italian Giuseppe Brovelli-Soffredini (1863-1936) in 1929

Later the same week, there was an Optional Memorial of an Italian Martyr, Saint Maria Goretti, a superb role-model in these times when Chastity, Virginity and Marriage are consistently being undermined. When just 11 years old, she refused the advances of a young man, Alessandro, who then attempted to rape her. She was fatally stabbed, living long enough to forgive him for his dreadful crime. In defending, with her life, Virginity before and the Sanctity of the sexual act within Marriage, she underlined eternal values which form an indispensable part of our Heavenward journey, in stark contradiction to what we might see and hear in the media.
 
Alessandro served his sentence and, through Maria’s intercession, repented and was converted, making his peace with God and with Maria’s mother, who told him that Maria had forgiven him. He became a Capuchin Lay-Brother and was privileged to be in Rome for Maria’s canonisation in 1950, another demonstration of the power of Grace over evil, power which is there if we but ask for it. Morals are often not presented as 'cool' and, indeed, may present a challenge to our fallen nature. However, should we fall into sin, we can avail ourselves of the Sacrament of Penance, restoring Graces we have discarded and receiving the help to pick ourselves up and journey safely on to Heaven.