Maria Celeste

This was inspired by the story of Galileo's beloved elder daughter, Virginia (Sister Maria Celeste). She was particularly devoted to her father. Sadly, she died at the age of 33. She is buried with her father in his tomb in the Basilica of Santa Croce, Florence.


Philosopher's daughter and requisite Nun,
she prayed for her father, in Rome…
Because he was able to center the sun,
he wasn't allowed to come home.

A lady of singular, exquisite mind
of goodness devoted and true,
Virginia, the younger, unfailingly kind,
a woman the world hardly knew

revealed in her letters an infinite love,
to serve was her only desire.
To open the universe hidden above
she did, with her father, conspire.

The whole of the Earth and the center he knew
were lost in the moment she died.
Though intellect failed him his heart remained true,
for Sister Maria, he cried.

The "path to the stars" and the muse of his quest
by Rome’s inquisition, consumed--
found justice in Heaven’s own scriptures. They rest
forever, together entombed.


"I render infinite thanks to God for being so kind as to make me alone
the first observer of marvels kept hidden in obscurity for all previous centuries."

-- Galileo Galilei