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| Saint Maria Goretti, Pray for us! |
Early Life and Family Background
Saint Maria Goretti was born on October 16, 1890, in Corinaldo, Italy, as the third of six children to Luigi Goretti and Assunta Carlini. The Goretti family lived in poverty, working as sharecroppers on the Colle Gianturco estate near Ferriere di Conca, a small town between Ancona and Latina. Despite their impoverished circumstances, the Goretti household was characterized by strong Catholic faith and devotion.
Maria's Piety and Devotion
From a young age, Maria exhibited exceptional piety and religious devotion. She attended Mass regularly, participated devoutly in the sacraments, and had a profound love for the Virgin Mary. Her faith was nurtured by her family, especially her mother, Assunta, who taught her the importance of prayer and Christian virtues amidst their daily struggles.
Tragic Events Leading to Martyrdom
In 1902, tragedy struck the Goretti family when Maria, then only eleven years old, was brutally attacked by Alessandro Serenelli, a young man of twenty who harbored impure intentions towards her. On July 5, while Maria was alone in the house with her infant sister, Alessandro attempted to sexually assault her. Maria resisted vehemently, defending her purity and crying out, "No, Alessandro, it is a sin! God does not want it!" Enraged by her resistance, Alessandro stabbed Maria multiple times with a file.
Forgiveness and Death
Despite her grave injuries, Maria managed to crawl to the door, where she was discovered by her mother and taken to a nearby hospital in Nettuno. Doctors attempted to save her, but her injuries were too severe. The following day, July 6, 1902, Maria forgave Alessandro, expressing her desire for him to be with her in Heaven. She then peacefully succumbed to her wounds, surrounded by her family and attended by a priest.
Alessandro's Conversion and Reconciliation
Alessandro was captured and sentenced to thirty years in prison for his crime. Initially unrepentant, he experienced a profound conversion when Maria appeared to him in a dream. In this vision, she presented him with lilies, which he interpreted as a symbol of purity and forgiveness. This encounter led to Alessandro's repentance and eventual reconciliation with God and the Church.
Upon his release from prison after serving twenty-seven years, Alessandro sought forgiveness from Maria's mother, Assunta, who embraced him with Christian mercy and forgave him for his grievous offense against her daughter. This act of forgiveness and reconciliation between Assunta and Alessandro became a powerful testimony to the transformative power of God's grace and forgiveness.
Canonization and Legacy
Maria Goretti's life and martyrdom became widely known for her heroic virtue, purity, and forgiveness. She was beatified by Pope Pius XII on April 27, 1947, and canonized as a saint by the same pope on June 24, 1950. During her canonization ceremony, Assunta Goretti, Maria's mother, became the first mother to witness her child's canonization.
Saint Maria Goretti is venerated as the patroness of purity, chastity, and youth. Her feast day is celebrated on July 6th, commemorating the day of her martyrdom. Her story continues to inspire countless people worldwide to embrace purity, forgive those who wrong them, and persevere in faith, even in the face of adversity and suffering.
Prayer to Saint Maria Goretti
O Saint Maria Goretti,
you who willingly laid down your life
to preserve your purity and faith in God,
look graciously on the world today,
so plagued by impurity and sin.
Teach us
to imitate your unwavering commitment to Christ,
your forgiveness towards those who wrong us,
and your fervent devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Obtain for us
from our Lord the grace we earnestly seek,
especially [mention your intention here].
And may we one day rejoice with you
in the glory of Heaven.
Amen.
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| Maria's major relics on display at St. Joseph Cathedral (Columbus, Ohio) |