July 6 2021 - St. Maria Goretti, virgin martyr - Lover of Chastity

Today we celebrate the 99th anniversary of the martyrdom of St. Maria Goretti. Maria was just 11 years old when one of the men working for her father made several attempts to seduce young Maria.  Her refusal so angered him that he threatened to kill her, which he eventually did, stabbing her 14 times.  Maria died in the hospital after forgiving her murderer.  

God is invoked in the Collect for her feast as the “author of innocence and lover of chastity.” Chastity is a virtue to be practiced by all Christians, and St. Maria Goretti is a model of this virtue for us. Even at the age of 11 Maria knew that giving in to seductive advances outside of marriage is sinful, telling her seducer that God forbids such behavior as sinful and could lead to the damnation of their souls.

Maria had a rightly formed conscience. Her parents brought her to Church and instructed her in the virtues. Her faith rightly guided her. Sadly, so many of our young people have no guidance in these matters save for what they see on television and internet. Sex before marriage and cohabitation are commonplace. But that doesn’t make them right.

Even when her seducer tried to wear down her conscience through multiple attempts to seduce her, Maria remained strong. When there was the threat of death, she remained courageous. Our young people, and all Christians need fortitude and courage in resist the constant and relentless barrage of perverted sexuality in our culture. For perverted sexuality brings only inner emptiness, shame, and dysfunctional relationship. So we do well to invoke St. Maria Goretti as the patron saint of young people and a patron saint of chastity.

Maria loved chastity because Christ loved chastity, and calls all Christians to practice chastity consistent with their vocation in life. And because chastity is beautiful, it attracts souls to Christ. May St. Maria Goretti’s steadfastness help us all in keeping and obeying all Christ commands of us for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

O God, author of innocence and lover of chastity, who bestowed the grace of martyrdom on your handmaid, the Virgin Saint Maria Goretti, in her youth, grant, we pray through her intercession, that, as you gave her a crown for her steadfastness, so we, too, may be firm in obeying your commandments.

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Through the intercession of St. Maria Goretti and all the holy virgin-martyrs, for an increase in reverence for and practice of the virtues of chastity, purity, and modesty and for greater respect for the dignity of the human body and all human life. 

That all of our young people on summer vacation may be kept safe from the poisonous errors and vices of our time and be kept in close friendship with the Lord Jesus through the faith of their families, daily prayer, attendance at Mass, and the practice of the virtues.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, immigrants and refugees, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord