St. Maria Goretti - Patroness of Children, Children of Mary, Girls, Rape Victims, Young - July 6th
Mary was the young daughter of a poor Italian widow. She was nicknamed Marietta, and at the age of twelve was already a very pretty young lady. She helped her mother on the farm, in the house and with the care of the other children. Never did she complain because they were so poor. In fact, she cheered up her poor mother and was a great comfort to her. She went to Mass regularly even though it meant a two-hour walk, and she went as often as she could to confession and Holy Communion.
Marietta was also very modest and careful to guard her purity. When a young man named Alexander tried a few times to make her sin, she absolutely refused and she did her best to avoid him from that time on. Then one summer day, she was alone in the cottage mending clothes, and Alexander came again to try to make her sin. This time, he dragged the poor girl into a room and when she tried to scream, he stuffed a handkerchief into her mouth. Yet she managed to keep saying, ‘No, no! It is a mortal sin. God doesn’t want it. If you commit you will go to hell!” And she struggled as much as she could. Furiously Alexander began to strike her with a knife. Again and again he struck, and then he ran away.
Marietta was taken to a hospital, where she died about twenty-four hours later. During her last hours, she forgave her murderer. Her only worry was for her mother. With great joy, she received Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and then went to Heaven.
Alexander was sent to prison where, for a long time, he did not repent of his horrible crime. Then one night he had a dream or vision of Mary Goretti offering him flowers. From that moment on he was a changed man. When he was freed from prison after many years, the first thing he did was to beg Mary’s mother for forgiveness.
On the day Mary Goretti was declared “Blessed,” her own mother was there in Rome for the great celebration. And when the Pope declared Mary as saint, more people gathered to honor her than had ever come for such a ceremony before. St. Mary Goretti is called a “martyr of holy purity.”
Alexander had become so impure because he used to read bad magazines. Mary Goretti was so pure, instead, because she went to the Sacraments as often as possible. Let us imitate this heroic young girl. Jesus will give us the strength we need to keep pure.
