"Alessandro's Repentance"
by Walter Tomalis

The full repentance of Alessandro
If he gains peace by set steps
Even after killing a child -- we, then, can all find solitude
For many of our serious sins against others.

Alessandro

Hope is all we can say
For the man who did the awful deed.
To take Maria Goretti’s life,
To take an innocent child,
So young and beautiful...
We pray for him, and know that maybe
Only God could understand him
And his sick mind.
Maria, you were so strong that
you forgave him, in your own way.
What a miracle that was!
What a gift to him!
You came to him in a dream,
And gave him your love and understanding.
Like Jesus, you died for another’s sin.
Amen.

Art Rogers
9/22/08