The very young Saint of the last century who stood out for her integrity, purity and capacity for forgiveness, is still one of the most prayed to and invoked today.
Maria was born in Corinaldo in the province of Ancona. She was 11 years old when she was threatened by Alessandro, an 18 year old boy, her neighbor, who, enamored of her beauty, attempted to rape her.
She resists in every way: “No, no, God doesn’t want it, if you do this you’ll go to hell”. But the young man’s violence does not stop and in the face of the girl’s firm and determined opposition it grows out of all proportion.
Maria’s concern is increasingly greater: “What are you doing Alexander? You’re going to hell like this!”. But he, blinded by her violence, strikes her to death. Maria was rescued and operated on the same evening, but there was nothing left that could be done for her.
Her last request addressed to the priest who imparted the sacraments to her before dying was to forgive her murderer: “Yes, for the love of Jesus I forgive him and I want him to come near me in Heaven”.
Maria died on Sunday 6 July 1902 at 3.45 pm: she was 11 years old. She was canonized in 1950 by Pope Pius XII.
Novena to Santa Maria Goretti – third day
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
O God, come save me.
Lord, come quickly to our aid
Glory to the Father…
Prayer of John Paul II
Child of God, you who knew early
the hardness and toil, the pain and brief joys of life;
you who were poor and orphan, you who loved your neighbor
making yourself a humble and thoughtful servant; you who were
good and you loved Jesus above all else;
you that you shed your blood so as not to betray the Lord;
what do you have forgiven your murdererI intervened
e pray for us, so that we say yes to the plan
of God upon us.
We thank you, Marietta, for your love for God and for
the brothers you sowed in our hearts.
Amen.
(Pope John Paul II)
To ask for a favor
In particular, Saint Maria Goretti, invoke this grace for me (express the Grace you desire) that I desire so much, provided that it conforms to the holy will of God; bears fruits of love, charity, peace; frees me from selfishness; makes me a collaborator for the spread of the Kingdom of God in the world. Amen
Our father …
Ave Maria …
Glory to the Father…
Saint Mary Goretti,
Pray for us
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
