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Oh 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
promptitude
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 (here insert intention), and may we one day enjoy with thee the
imperishable
glory of Heaven. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to
the Father,etc.
In your virginal countenance we read
the strength
of your love and the constancy of your fidelity to your Devine Spouse.
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| While we admire your heroism, we are
even
more desirous of imitating your strength of faith and your inviolate
purity
of conduct. In you we find a safe refuge, and we trust that we will be
protected from dangerous occasions and from sin, so as to walk
the
highways of life with that serenity and deep joy which are the heritage
of those who are Pure of heart. |
| Prayer to Saint
MariaO Saint
Maria Goretti, so pure and innocent, you who gave your life for the
love
of Jesus and to avoid committing sin. You who forgave your attacker and
wished him well, guide me every day, protect me, teach me to forgive
everyone,
and teach me to love Jesus with all my heart.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit....Amen |
THE LIFE OF SAINT MARIA GORETTI
Born: July 5, 1998
Brother John Raymond
St. Maria Goretti is a reminder to us that young people can do heroic things for love of Jesus. She was born in a poor farm-laborer family in Italy in 1890, the third of six children. The poverty of the family grew much worse when Maria's father died of malaria. Maria's mother had to work in the fields.
The family worked on the farm of a Count. A fellow worker Giovanni Serenelli kept most of the profits from the farming, leaving the Goretti family quite poor and frequently hungry. When Maria was given a treat from a neighbor or kind merchant, she would take it home to share with her brothers and sisters.
Maria had to go frequently into a nearby village to sell produce and to buy supplies for her family. While there she would visit the shrine of Our Lady of Graces. Every night Maria would recite five Mysteries of the Rosary for the repose of her father's soul. She helped her mother on the farm, in the house and with the care of the other children. She never complained 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! Maria also received the sacrament of Reconciliation as often as she could.
Alexander, 18-years-old and the son of Giovanni Serenelli, began ordering 11-year-old Maria around to perform various difficult chores for him. He was seldom happy with her work and often reduced her to tears over it. About this time Alexander also began making advances toward Maria. She refused to have anything to do with him. Maria said nothing to her mother about this for fear of causing trouble.
On July 5, 1902, Maria was mending one of Alexander's shirts while caring for her little sister Teresa. Suddenly, Alexander came into their cottage and motioned Maria into a bedroom. She refused so he dragged her into the bedroom with the intention of seducing her. When Maria tried to scream, he stuffed a handkerchief into her mouth. Still, she managed to keep saying, "No, no! It is a mortal sin. God doesn't want it. If you commit it, you will go to Hell." And she struggled as much as she could. Alexander panicked. He stabbed her 14 times in her heart, lungs, and intestines, and then fled to his bedroom, where he pretended to be asleep.
When little Teresa awoke and began to cry, the family discovered Maria lying on the floor. She survived for 20 hours in the hospital, enduring surgery without anesthesia. Asked if she forgave her murderer, she replied, "Yes, for the love of Jesus I forgive him...and I want him to be with me in Paradise." She died on July 6.
Alexander was convicted and sentenced to 30 years in prison. During his eighth year of imprisonment, Maria appeared to him. He saw her in a garden as a young girl, dressed in white, gathering lilies. She smiled, came near him, and encouraged him to accept an armful of the lilies. As he accepted them, each lily transformed into a small white flame. Maria then disappeared.
This vision converted Alexander. When he was released from prison after serving 27 years, he asked Maria's mother for her forgiveness, which she gave him. He then found job as a gardener in a Capuchin monastery. He worked there for the rest of his life.
Alexander testified to Maria's sanctity during her Cause of Beatification. In 1950, Maria was canonized. Her mother attended, making her the first mother ever to see her child canonized.
St. Maria Goretti gives us an example of
self-sacrificing
service to the family, heroic witness to the virtue of chastity and
heroic
witness to forgiveness of persecutors. And Alexander gives us an
example
of repentance and reminds us that no matter what anyone has done, by
God's
grace they can turn their life around.
Santa
Maria Goretti
Patrona Santa de Virgenes.En tu
apariencia virginal encontramos la fuerza de tu amor y la constancia de
tu fidelidad a tu Esposo Divino. Como su novia, enlazados en sangre,
has
trazado en ti misma Su propia imagen. Mientras admiramos tu heroismo,
estamos
aun mas deseosos de imitar tu fuerza y fe en tu inviolable pureza y
conducta.
En ti encontramos un refugio seguro, y confiamos que seremos protejidos
de situaciones peligrosas y del pecado, para que asi podamos andar el
camino
de la vida con serenidad y profundo gozo que es la herencia para
aquellos
que son Puros de corazon. Amen.
Oh Santa María Goretti,
tan
pura e inocente, tu que diste tu vida por el amor a Jesús y para
evitar cometer pecado. Tu que perdonaste a tu atacante y le deseaste el
bién, guíame cada día, protégeme,
enséñame
a perdonar a todos y enséñame a amar a Jesús con
todo
mi corazón.
En el nombre del Padre, del Hijo
y del Espíritu Santo...Amen
