(1890-1902) Saint Maria was a pious young farm girl who was attacked by a 19-year-old farm hand named Allesandro when she was 12. Allesandro tried to rape Maria but when she refused him, he choked and stabbed her multiple times. She survived for two days afterward, where she forgave him and asked God to forgive him. While in prison, Alessandro had a vision of her offering him white lilies. This led to his conversion. He later became a Franciscan Capuchin brother and testified at her cause for beatification.

Today’s saint is another obvious tie-in to Steps 8 through 10. The powerful forgiveness of Saint Maria changed the course of Allesandro’s life. We are not responsible for how others react to our offer of amends or forgiveness, but we are responsible for our own recovery and faith. What negativity can you relinquish control of today?

“Looking back at my past, I can see that in my early youth, I chose a bad path, which led me to ruin myself. My behavior was influenced by print, mass-media and bad examples, which are followed by the majority of young people without even thinking. And I did the same” (from Alessandro Serenelli’s last will).