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tHe strenGtH oF FaitH

During the eight years of marriage, Luigi’s faith, in the
presence of Maria, had matured and now gave them the strength to
come together and answer with a categorical no to the advice to abort.
Distraught and bewildered, the doctor who was following them said
these words to Luigi: «“You don’t realize, Lawyer: You are preparing
yourself to be a widower with three children to support!”. The answer
remained unchanged: “no” remains “no”. The pregnancy continued,
almost hopelessly, but without uncertainty... God had won» .
6
terriBle anGuisH

The possibility that mother and child might not make it was
real. In the face of this tragedy, the communion of the two spouses,
rooted in God, became stronger more than ever. Four months passed,
Maria remained in bed and every day was welcomed as a gift. On
April 6, 1914, at the end of the eighth month, beyond all expectations,
little Enrichetta came into the world. Mother and daughter were safe.

standinG Firm on one’s values ENGAGEMENT, MATRIMONY AND CHILDREN

Luigi’s career offered opportunities and great satisfaction.
However, when having to choose between his career, and honesty and
values, he had no doubts about stopping or taking a step back. Even
when he suffered injustice, he preferred silence and Maria participated
in all of this; together they evaluated the situation and even made
courageous choices. The failures, determined by the wickedness of
men, made Maria’s admiration for Luigi grow: «the injustices and
the cowardice, hurting one of them, invested the other making them
be more and more admired in that supernatural language with which
He rose above the misfortunes and ambitions of others» .
7

6 Cf. Giorgio Papàsogli, Questi borghesi, op. cit., p. 71.
7 Maria Beltrame Quattrocchi, L’ordito e la trama. Radiografia di un matrimonio, Associazione
A.MAR.LUI., p. 13.