PRAYER TO SAINT MARIA GORETTI FOR THE FAMILY
PRAYER TO SAINT MARIA GORETTI FOR THE FAMILY
(By CARDINAL ANGELO COMASTRI)[taken from his words (summary)]:
"O SAINT MARIA GORETTI, YOU WHO CHOSE PURITY AND FORGIVENESS, BE A BEACON OF LIGHT FOR OUR FAMILIES.
TEACH US TO DISTINGUISH FREEDOM FROM CAPRICE, GOOD FROM EVIL, AND TO LIVE OUR FAITH WITH COURAGE.
PROTECT OUR CHILDREN FROM VIOLENCE AND LUKEWARMNESS, SO THAT, FOLLOWING YOUR EXAMPLE, THEY MAY GUARD THEIR HEARTS AND BRING TO THE WORLD THE POWER OF LOVE THAT OVERCOMES ALL DARKNESS.
AMEN.”
………………………….
Cardinal Angelo Comastri's prayer to Saint Maria Goretti for the family emphasises Her heroic purity and forgiveness, inviting parents to educate their children in charity, to guard their hearts, and to choose goodness, seeing in Her a model of strength in faith that overcomes evil and saves the family.
The Cardinal often links Her story to the importance of living the faith in the family, transforming difficulties into love and violence into forgiveness, asking Saint Maria Goretti to protect families and teach true freedom from caprice.
Here are some themes and phrases that can be found in his reflections:
1) EXAMPLE OF PURITY AND FORGIVENESS:
Card. Comastri extols Maria Goretti's sacrifice as a hymn to purity and forgiveness, asking that this example inspire families to defend their inner light.
2) THE FAMILY AS A SCHOOL OF LOVE:
He emphasises that the most urgent mission is to evangelise the family, making it a school of charity where children learn to love their neighbour.
3) FREEDOM AND GOODNESS:
He recalls that Saint Maria Goretti understood the difference between freedom and caprice, and that good is good because it does good, a fundamental teaching for the new generations.
4) LIGHT IN DIFFICULTIES:
Her figure is seen as a guide for facing difficulties, pains and temptations, protecting the heart and always choosing the path of good.