I would contend that Alessandro Serenelli did repent to a heroic degree just as much as St Moses the Black did.
After his release from prison, Serenelli spent some time working on various farms. Whenever it became known that he was Maria’s killer, he would inevitably be dismissed.
One time while Serenelli was in a field, the wife of the farmer whose land he was working tried to seduce him. When he resisted her advances, she said something like, “Are you now so righteous that you would resist me? You, the one who killed that little girl when she wouldn’t give you what I am freely offering you?” Upon hearing this, Serenelli himself fled! - If this isn’t considered heroic proof of repentance then what would you require? He didn’t even go back for his wages or belongings but ran away with only the clothes on his back.
Serenelli personally apologised to Assunta (Maria’s mother) and all her siblings. Assunta took him by the hand into the local church on Christmas Day and, upon approaching the communion rail, Serenelli turned around and publically asked the forgiveness of the whole town (on that most crowded of days).
It’s well known that Serenelli spent his latter years as a Third Order Capuchin keeping the gardens of the monastery.
While I can’t find any current website for or reference to them, his story inspired Paul Rasavage, OCDS to found the Serenellians, an apostolate dedicated to praying for and helping those addicted to sins of the flesh.
On that note, can tell me how to get in touch with Rasavage (or whoever else may be running that group now)? I’ve tried contacting his old work but they couldn’t help.
In my opinion, canonising Alessandro Serenelli would be of great benefit to the many people who find themselves without a role model of repentance among the saints, having begun their lives in ways like his.
