I was a beautiful and pious farm girl, born in Italy in 1890. In 1902, at age twelve, I was attacked by a young farm worker, Alessandro Serenelli. He tried to rape me, but I fought, yelled that it was a sin, and that he would go to hell. He stabbed me fourteen times. I survived in hospital for two days, forgave my attacker, asked God's forgiveness of him, and died holding a crucifix and medal of Our Lady. I was counted as a martyr.
While in prison for his crime, Alessandro had a vision of me. He saw a garden where a young girl, dressed in white, gathered lilies. She smiled, came near him, and encouraged him to accept an armful of the lilies. As he took them, each lily transformed into a still white flame. I then disappeared. This vision led to Alessandro's conversion, and he later testified at my cause for beatification.
I lived a very ordinary life, but my great faith and love for God made me extraordinary. I was pronounced a saint in 1950. My mother and my murderer attended the canonization ceremony together.
