“Lord, forgive them.”
Teresina Elsa Mainetti was born in 1939 in Lecco, Italy, and was baptized within 2 days. She was the 10th and last child and her mother died when she was just 12 days old.
After turning 18, she attended the Istituto Magistrale and decided to join the Sisters of the Cross. In 1959, she made her 1st vow and took the name Laura in honor of the late daughter of another Sister.
She devoted her life to help young people and taught at primary schools run by the Sisters of the Cross in Vasto, Rome, Parma and Chiavenna. She then became Mother Superior of a convent, specializing in providing help for juvenile delinquents.
She had the reputation of having a passion for caring for the downtrodden of society, especially the poor and disposed young. “An unconditional love for the weak. A life that was a real witness of love for Christ.” People of the town reported that they could always count on her to listen to their problems and, when possible, give them help.
Around 10 p.m. on June 6, 2000, Maria went to the local park to meet a familiar teenage female, who had called to tell her she was pregnant from rape, considering abortion, and had run away from home. When she arrived the girl and two other female friends, led her to a secluded area, a cliff above the local legend “inferno” cave. They made her kneel, began stoning her while shouting abuses, and then took turns stabbing her. Maria said prayers and kept saying, “Lord, forgive them.” She was found the next day by passersby.
The 3 killers were captured 3 weeks afterwards and they told the authorities the murder was part of a satanic sacrifice. They stabbed her 18 times, 6 for each, to represent 666. None of them had a prior history of causing any trouble. They targeted Maria as she had taught them Catechism in grade school.
The 3 served sentences in juvenile prisons and released on parole after about 7 years, changed their names, and now have jobs and families. One of the girls, Milena De Giambattista, wrote, “I can have of her only a memory of love. Now in her, I find comfort and the grace to endure everything. I always pray and I am sure she will help me become a better person.” Sister Maria’s brother noted that Milena “is fully aware of what she did and at the same time repentant, and convinced that she can be reborn and recover better and better.”
Maria was declared a martyr who had died in hatred of the faith. She was Beatified 21 years to the day after her murder.
For God’s Glory.
