St Maria Goretti was born on October 16th 1890, in Corinaldo Italy. When she was still very young her father, a farm worker, moved his family to Ferrier di Conca, near Anzio, where they took up residence in a dilapidated farmhouse. The land was in a bad state but her father courageously worked to get it up and running. Unfortunately he caught Malaria due to being overworked and living in close proximity to the swampland. The man who rented them the land forced him to take two men as workers. They were Giovanni Serenelli and his son Alessandro. All was well at first and the work progressed. Shortly afterwards though the Malaria began to take a stronger hold over Maria’s father, he became bed ridden and died soon after with his family praying around him.
During this time Maria had grown up into a beautiful young girl. She was very holy and made her first communion eagerly and with great devotion. When her father died she took up the household chores whilst her mother went to work in the fields. She was a quiet, serious person, going about her work with courage whilst the other children would play outside. She looked forward to going to Mass every Sunday and re-found her childhood gaiety on the long journeys there.
Alessandro Serenelli had turned into a sullen and secretive youth of 18. Maria’s mother was shocked to find obscene magazine clippings in his room one day. He had not failed to notice Maria and plotted ways to get her alone. Twice he made advances on her with which she rebuked with horror. She began to fear him.
One day, when her mother and younger brothers and sisters were all out in the fields, Maria sat mending a shirt at the top of the stairs leading to the farmhouse. She was minding her baby sister Theresa while she worked. Alessandro new she would be alone and returned to the house. He went into his room and brought out a knife, which he proceeded to sharpen in the kitchen. He called to Maria to come into the house, she refused so he dragged her in and tried to rape her. She fought violently against him and cried out “ No it is a sin, you will go to Hell!”. Alessandro, now so angry he could no longer think straight, drew out the knife and stabbed her 14 times. Sobered by what he had done he threw the knife away and bolted himself in his room. The baby started to cry and Giovanni came up to see what was the matter. He yelled for Maria’s mother who came running.
Maria was taken to the hospital, where doctors examined the fatal wounds. Alessandro was dragged off to prison. When a priest came to Maria with Holy Communion he asked her if she would forgive her attacker. She replied after a pause, “Yes I forgive him, and I want him to be in Heaven with me”.
Maria survived two days in hospital; she died holding a crucifix and a miraculous medal. She was only 12 years old.
In the years that followed Alessandro served his prison sentence. One day a priest came to talk to him but he became a maniac and refused to listen. The priest said to him “Soon, Alessandro, you will want to talk to me, Maria will see to that”. Alessandro became nervous. Then one night Maria appeared to him in a glorious garden, she was picking Lilies and handing them to him. Alessandro wrote to the priest and begged pardon for what he had done. When he was released from prison he asked for forgiveness of Maria’s mother. Afterwards he went to work as a lay brother at a Capuchin Monastery, tending to the gardens. His favourite flowers were Lilies.
Maria was canonized a Saint on the 24th June 1950. Hers was the first canonization where the mother witnessed the event.
St Maria Goretti is the patron of purity, youth, rape victims and poverty. Her feast day is celebrated on the 6th July. She is a true role model for youth in these days of moral darkness.
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, deign to 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.
St Maria Goretti, pray for us!
