Antonia Mesina

Antonia Mesina (21 June 1919 – 17 May 1935) was a 15 year old

Once she completed her initial education - which spanned a brief period of time - she took over housekeeping at home in order to assist her bedridden mother who suffered from a heart condition. She took care of the household including the care of her siblings as well as cooking and cleaning and washing.[2] Mesina joined Catholic Action movement in 1929 and became a noted recruiter.^[1] Mesina liked to be part of this movement and believed that it "helps one to be good".

Mesina set off for Mass one morning with a friend and after that went to gather firewood in mid-1935 when 19 year old Giovanni Ignazio Catigu (1916-1937) attacked her and tried to rape her. Her friend screamed and ran off to find help. Mesina managed to escape twice, but on her third attempt he knocked her down. Mesina defended herself and Catigu murdered because she resisted his violence, striking her with a rock 74 times.^[1][2] Mesina’s remains were examined after her death and it was found that she had not been violated during or after Catigu’s violent attack. His last blow smashed the skull and disfigured her face.^[3] Catigu was soon apprehended and on 27 April 1937 sentenced to death; the firing squad executed him on the following 5 August.

On 5 October 1935 the Catholic Action member Armida Barelli, who had met Mesina once, met with Pope Pius XI and informed him of Mesina's activism and her murder.^[3]

Beatification

The beatification process commenced in the

External links

• Hagiography Circle
• Saints SQPN

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