The Catholic Church celebrates the memory of Saint Maria Goretti, virgin and martyr who enchants and enriches Christians with her testimony of love for God and rejection of sin.
Origin
Born in Corinaldo, Italy, in 1890, Maria Goretti was the daughter of a poor peasant family, but very God-fearing. After her father's death, she and her family moved to an area near Rome, sharing the home of a widowed family, who had a son named Alessandro.
Martyrdom for Purity
Alessandro, on several occasions, tried to seduce Maria Goretti, who was at home to take care of her brothers. She, fearing God, responded maturely: “No, no, God doesn’t want it; it is sin!". In one of these moments, while Maria Goretti was in prayer, Alessandro tried to seduce her again. She then responded with a big no. Because of this, he stabbed her with 14 blows, the last of which was fatal.
Forgiveness
At the time of her death, Maria Goretti spoke words of forgiveness to her killer, confiding to her mother: “Yes, I forgive him… Up in heaven, I will pray for him to repent… I want him to be together with me in eternal glory”.
His death was the cause of Alessandro's conversion, who repented and, after leaving prison, was with the 400,000 people, in St. Peter's Square, on the occasion of Maria Goretti's canonization, alongside her mother, who also forgave.
Beatification and Canonization
The beatification of Saint Maria Goretti was celebrated on April 27, 1947, by Pope Pius XII. And on June 24, 1950, he celebrated the canonization of the saint. His feast day is celebrated on July 6th. Saint Maria Goretti is seen as the saint of chastity, youth, rape victims, purity of heart and forgiveness. She is represented holding lilies, which symbolize her purity, and wearing white clothes, a sign of her virginity.
