Maria Goretti was born of a poor family in the central
Italian town of Corinaldo. Her father died when she was 10 years old. One of
the men who had worked with her father, 19 year old Alessandro Serenelli, had
made several attempts to seduce the young girl. She told him that he could go
to hell for what he wanted to do, but her refusal and her words of faith so
angered him that he stabbed her, 14 times.
It took Maria two days to die
from those stab wounds. But as she lay
dying, Maria, not only forgave Alessandro, but she said: “I hope that he too
will join me in Paradise.” Maria
Goretti was scarcely twelve years old when she died on July 7, 1902.
Alessandro remained unrepentant for his assault and murder
of the young girl, but several years into his prison sentence, Alessandro had a
dream in which Maria presented him with a bouquet of lilies. Repentance filled
his heart and he turned to the mercy of Christ.
After 27 years in prison, Alessandro was released, and visited Maria’s
mother, Assunta, whom he asked forgiveness. “If my daughter can forgive him,
who am I to withhold forgiveness?" she said. Alessandro spent his last
years as a third-order Franciscan and died in 1970.
Maria Goretti was canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1950, and it
is the first time in history that the mother of a saint was present at the
canonization. Alessandro was also there,
also probably the first time that the saint’s murderer was present at the
canonization, and thanks be to God, his soul was right with God. He had
testified in her cause for canonization.
It is said that "even if
she had not been a martyr, she would still have been a saint, so holy was her
everyday life". And this is such an
important lesson for all of his: the holiness of her everyday life helped her
at a crucial moment to remain courageous, to forgive and love her murderer with
the heart of Christ. And her sanctity brought about the eventual conversion of a
very evil man, who probably only died in communion with Christ because of her.
May St. Maria Goretti help us to
cultivate a love of innocence, chastity, and forgiveness, and help all of us to
remain steadfast in faith in the moment of trial, for the glory of God and
salvation of souls.
Through the intercession of the holy virgin-martyr St. Maria
Goretti, may God help all Christians to practice the virtues of chastity,
purity, and modesty and bring about a 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.
That God may bring about repentance in all those guilty of sin and
crime, and that the message of God’s mercy might reach the most hardened
hearts.
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, for victims of abuse, especially children, 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
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