St. Maria Goretti, Patroness of Youth and Martyr of Purity »Manila Newsletter News

TODAY, we remember the life and works of St. Maria Goretti, Patroness of Youth and martyr of purity.
Born on October 16, 1890, in Corinaldo, Ancona, Italy, Maria Goretti was baptized the day after her birth and was consecrated to the Virgin Mary Immaculate. She was the second of six children of Luigi Goretti and Assunta Carlini. She was not educated because of her bad status in life. In 1896, unable to feed the growing family of the small land they farmed, Luigi decided to take his family to the Fierrière de Conca near Nettuno in Rome, where they rented a farm in a flooded area of mosquitoes. They shared the farm with John Serenelli and his son Alexander.

On May 6, 1900, Luigi died of malaria. On his deathbed, he begged his wife Assunta to return to Coronado, but even if the widow wanted to follow her death wish, she could not do it because she was bound by contract to her employer. Maria helped her mother by taking care of her younger siblings.

Maria's only wish was to receive Jesus by Holy Communion. Although she was discouraged by her mother, she learned catechism and spent the interrogation session by the priest of Nettuno. A kind benefactor provided for the clothes and shoes that she wore during her first communion on June 6, 1901, which coincided with Corpus Christi Day.

Maria was pretty. Alexander was attracted to her. He constantly harassed her with sinful demands but Maria instinctively rejected him. Fearing Alexander's advances, she begged her mother not to leave her alone. She would like to devote herself to Jesus. She always prayed: "Take me Jesus, I offer you to you." But his sad fate in the hands of Alexander occurred July 5, 1902. Alexander has trained her in the room and threatened to kill her if she screamed. Maria shouted for help and struggled. She cried and told Alexander. "No, God does not want it, it's a sin, you'd go to hell for it." Frustrated and angry, Alexander started hitting and stabbing her with a knife. one lost heart by one millimeter.

She was taken to the hospital and told the priest who had come that she had forgiven Alexander and wanted him to be With her in Heaven, kissing the medallion of the Blessed Virgin Mary that the priest gave her, she prayed: "Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you." She died on July 6, 1902 at 3:45 pm. at the age of 11 years and 9 months

Alexander was arrested and sentenced to 30. He was unrepentant and angry for a long time, and one night he had a vision of Maria giving her flowers. he woke up, he was a changed man.He repented of what he had done and lived a reformed life.When he was released from prison after 27 years, he went straight to Maria's mother to beg for forgiveness.

On April 27, 1947, Maria Goretti was beatified by Pope Pius XII. On June 24, 1950, she was declared holy by Pope Pius XII to St. Peter, in the presence of his mother and Alexander, his murderer.

As we celebrate the feast of St. Maria Goretti, let us remember her faithfulness to God. May his example guide us to not give in to sin. And may we find in our hearts to forgive those who have sinned against us.