St. Maria Goretti

Maria Goretti was born in Corinaldo, Italy to Luigi Goretti and his wife Assunta Carlini on October 16, 1890. Young Maria was devout especially after she made her First Communion at age ten and she willing helped her parents with chores. In 1899, her father moved the family to Ferriere seeking work as a farmhand. Poverty forced her father to decide to share a house with Signor Serenelli and his son Alessandro (Alexander). When Luigi Goretti died of malaria, his wife was left to support the family. Not only were they left in poverty, but the twenty-year old Alessandro became a constant menace to Maria, harassing her with impure suggestions. On July 5, 1902 he would not leave her alone. Maria refused his attentions, saying “No, it is a sin!” Alessandro grabbed her and began to stab her repeatedly. In all he stabbed Maria fourteen times. The doctors at a hospital in a nearby town tried to save her, but in vain. She died the next day in severe pain. On her death bed she forgave Alessandro. She was not yet twelve years old. An unrepentant Alessandro was sentenced to thirty years in prison. He later repented after he had a dream of Maria in a garden in which she gave him flowers. He was released after twenty-seven years in prison and he went to beg Maria’s mother for forgiveness. She willingly forgave him. Many miracles occurred through Maria’s intercession and she was canonized in 1950. Her mother and her murderer attended the ceremony. St. Maria Goretti is one of the youngest of the Church’s officially canonized saints. She is the patron of youth, young women, purity, and rape victims. Her feast is July 6.