About St. Maria Goretti's Life...
The daughter of
humble sharecroppers, Maria and her family moved
to the little town of Ferriere, Italy in 1899 in
search of work. Desperately seeking to support
his family, Luigi Goretti struck up a bargain
with Signor Serenelli, who had a son named
Alessandro. The two families lived together in a
building owned by Count Mazzolini.
Maria quickly matured in grace and holiness in
the eyes of friends and other acquaintances.
After losing her father to malaria, she
developed great strength and maturity. Her
charming modesty, cheerful obedience and the
serious, but free acceptance of a hundred
thankless home chores distinguished her from the
other children who would play in the dusty
streets of Ferriere. Perhaps the highlight of
her life was her First Holy Communion, which she
dutifully prepared for and awaited with great
anticipation. She truly seemed to be advancing
"in wisdom, and age and grace before God and
men."
Lured by the passions of his day and nurturing
the dark side of his soul with impious reading
and thoughts, Alessandro Serenelli had been a
thorn in lovely Maria's side. He propositioned
her on several occasions and harassed her with
impure suggestions. On July 5, 1902, he would be
denied no longer. As she once again rebuffed his
sexual advance, shouting, "No! It is a sin! God
does not want it!", Alessandro lunged to the
deed, stabbing Maria 14 times.
Doctors in Nettuno tried to save Maria's life to
no avail. After 20 painful hours of suffering
during which she forgave and prayed for
Alessandro, Maria entered Heaven fortified with
the Last Sacraments.
Her last earthly gaze rested upon a picture of
the Blessed Mother. It was July 6, 1902.
Almost fifty years later on June 24, 1950, Pope
Pius XII stood on the steps of St. Peter's in
Rome and pronounced Maria Goretti a Saint and
Martyr of the Universal Church to half a million
people. He proposed her as the Patroness of
Modern Youth and set July 6th as her feast Day.
Her mother, and her murderer, who had since
repented of his terrible crime, attended the
canonization ceremony together.
This was the triumph of the little girl who
loved God and hated sin.
Official Prayer
to St. Maria Goretti
Oh Saint Maria
Goretti who, strengthened by God's grace, did
not hesitate even at the age of twelve to shed
your blood and sacrifice life itself to defend
your virginal purity, look graciously on the
unhappy human race which has strayed far from
the path of eternal salvation. Teach us all, and
especially youth, with what courage and
promptitude we should flee for the love of Jesus
anything that could offend Him or stain our
souls with sin. Obtain for us from our Lord
victory in temptation, comfort in the sorrows of
life, and the grace which we earnestly beg of
thee
(here insert intention),
and may we one day enjoy with thee the
imperishable glory of Heaven. Amen.
