Day 2:  Saint Maria Goretti

Maria Goretti was just nine years old when her father died during a malaria epidemic.  This lengthy outbreak killed 15,000-20,000 persons per year in the impoverished coastal region of Italy where the Goretti family lived and worked as sharecroppers.  Maria quickly took on a parental role for her younger siblings, so her mother Assunta could work in the fields to support their family.  Unfortunately, these circumstances left Maria vulnerable to harassment by a young neighbor, Alessandro Serenelli.  On July 5, 1902, Alessandro made an advance towards Maria and she refused, saying: “It is a sin! God does not want it!”  Filled with frustration and rage, Alessandro attacked and stabbed her fourteen times.  

Maria died from her wounds at a hospital in the nearby town of Nettuno.  She was just 11 years old.  Before she died, Maria said she forgave Alessandro.  

He was arrested, convicted, and sentenced to prison for 30 years. In prison, he was known for his cruel, bitter, and violent personality.  

Six years into his prison sentence, Alessandro’s personality began to change when he realized that Maria had forgiven him.  Overwhelmed by the generosity of her act, Alessandro became a devout Christian.  After his release from prison, Alessandro knocked on the door of Maria’s mother, Assunta Goretti, on Christmas day in 1934 and asked Assunta to forgive him.  She said that since Maria had forgiven him and God had forgiven him, she forgave him as well. 

This mother’s act of forgiveness was incredibly heroic.  After Alessandro murdered Maria, the rest of Assunta Goretti’s children were placed in foster care or adopted by other families since Assunta could not care for them and work full time.  Practically speaking, Alessandro had not only killed Assunta’s daughter, he had taken her entire family away from her.  

Maria’s mother and Alessandro were present in Rome on Saturday June 24, 1950 when Pope Pius XII canonized Maria a saint.  Alessandro spent his life after prison living with a religious community of Franciscans, praying and serving the Church.  The feast day of Saint Maria Goretti is July 6.

Questions for Reflection

Saint Maria Goretti was quick to forgive someone who hurt her deeply.  Who do I need to forgive?  Are there relationships in my own life that have become strained, especially because of challenges associated with the COVID-19 epidemic and spending more time at home with family members or roommates than normal?

Both Maria Goretti and her mother had many reasons to be bitter.  Life had been unfair to them in numerous ways.  Yet, they did not give into self-pity.  They did not give up.  They kept on living.  When do you feel sorry for yourself the most?  What recent situations have tempted you to become resentful or bitter?  Have you asked Jesus for help with these struggles?

Prayer

Lord God,

You gave Saint Maria Goretti the grace to forgive heroically.  
Help us to forgive those who have hurt us.  
Grant us fortitude to avoid self-pity and despair. 
Give strength to those struggling in their vocation. 

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

Saint Maria Goretti, pray for us!