Jul 6 - “St. Maria Goretti” © artwork by Brenda Nippert. Happy Feast Day St. Maria!
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Maria was born in Corinaldo, Italy, into the arms of Assunta and Luigi Goretti who worked as poor share-croppers. As 11 year old Maria was growing to be virtuous, 20 year old Alessandro Serenelli was indulging in pornography. Maria sat on the stairs sewing when Alessandro grabbed her, determined to rape her. He pulled a knife, but strong-willed Maria kept fighting, assuring him she would rather die than submit. He stabbed her fourteen times. She was rushed to the hospital half dead, and, unbelievably, she was concerned for Alessandro's soul. Before she passed into the serenity of Heaven, she forgave him.
In 1950, Maria became the youngest Saint in history and Assunta was the first mother ever to be present at her child's canonization. Alessandro was also there. He became a Capuchin lay brother and spent the rest of his life atoning for his sins. One young girl's courageous act of forgiveness calls each one of us to question ourselves. When we pray “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”, do we mean it? Truly forgiving is like opening yourself up to let God's mercy pass through you into the world. Imagine the world we would live in if everyone did that.
Her feast day is July 6.
https://www.trinitystores.com/artwork/st-maria-goretti-0