St. Maria Goretti, Virgin and Martyr

// AtonementOnline

Maria was the daughter of Luigi and Assunta Goretti. In 1902, when she was only twelve years old, Maria was attacked by 19-year-old farm-hand Alessandro Serenelli. He tried to rape the girl who fought him.  She repeated to him that it was a sin, and that he would go to hell. He tried to choke her to make her submit, and when he was unsuccessful he stabbed her fourteen times. She managed to survive for two days.  Maria forgave her attacker, and asked God to forgive him.  She died holding a crucifix and medal of Our Lady. During his imprisonment, Allessandro had a vision of Maria. He saw a garden where the young girl was dressed in white, and gathering lilies. She smiled, came near him, and encouraged him to accept an armful of the lilies. As he took them, each lily was transformed into a white flame, after which Maria disappeared. This vision led to Alessandro's conversion, and he later testified at her cause for beatification.


She was beatified on 27 April 1947, and canonized on 24 June 1950.  These words are from the homily of Venerable Pope Pius XII on that occasion:

"It is well known how this young girl had to face a bitter struggle with no way to defend herself. Without warning a vicious stranger burst upon her, bent on raping her and destroying her childlike purity. In that moment of crisis she could have spoken to her Redeemer in the words of that classic, The Imitation of Christ: "Though tested and plagued by a host of misfortunes, I have no fear so long as your grace is with me. It is my strength, stronger than any adversary; it helps me and give me guidance." With splendid courage she surrendered herself to God and his grace and so gave her life to protect her virginity. The life of a simple girl - I shall concern myself only with highlights - we can see as worthy of heaven. Even today people can look upon it with admiration and respect. Parents can learn from her story how to raise their God-given children in virtue, courage, and holiness; they can learn to train them in the Catholic faith so that, when put to the test, God's grace will support them and they will come through undefeated, unscathed, and untarnished. From Maria's story carefree children and young people with their zest for life can learn not to be led astray by attractive pleasures which are not only ephemeral and empty but also sinful. Instead they can fix their sights on achieving Christian moral perfection, however difficult that course may prove. With determination and God's help all of us can attain that goal by persistent effort and prayer. Not all of us are expected to die a martyr's death, but we are all called to the pursuit of Christian virtue. So let us all, with God's grace, strive to reach the goal that the example of the virgin martyr, Saint Maria Goretti, sets before us. Through her prayers to the Redeemer may all of us, each in his own way, joyfully try to follow the inspiring example of Maria Goretti who now enjoys eternal happiness in heaven."

O 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; 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 promptness 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, and may we one day enjoy with thee the imperishable glory of Heaven. Amen.