St. Maria Goretti's Biography
Maria Goretti was the daughter of humble sharecroppers. Maria and her family moved to the little town of Ferriere, Italy in 1899 in search of work. Desperately seeking to support his family, Luigi Goretti struck up a bargain with Signor Serenelli, who had a son named Alessandro.
Maria quickly matured in grace and holiness in the eyes of friends and other acquaintances. After losing her father to malaria, she developed great strength and maturity. Her free acceptance of a hundred thankless home chores distinguished her from the other children who would play in the dusty streets of Ferriere. The highlight of her life was her First Holy Communion, which she dutifully prepared for and awaited with great anticipation. She truly seemed to advance in wisdom, age andgrace befoe God and men.
Lured by the passions of his day and nurturing his dark side, Alessandro Serenelli had been a thorn in lovely Maria's side for some time. He propositioned her on several occasions and harassed her with impure suggestions. On July 5, 1902, he would no longer be denied. When Maria rebuffed his advances by shouting "No! It is a sin! God does not want it!", Alessandro stabbed Maria 14 times.
Doctors in Nettuno tried to save Maria to no avail. She forgave and prayed for Alessandro during her 20 hours of painful suffering before death.
Maria entered Heaven fortified with Last Sacraments. Her last earthly gaze rested upon a picture of the Blessed Mother. It was July 6, 1902.
Almost 50 years later on June 24, Pope Pius XII stood on the steps of St. Peter's in Rome and pronounced Maria Goretti a Saint and Martyr of the Universal Church to half a million people. He proposed her as the Patroness of Modern Youth and set July 6th as her Feast day. Many recorded miracles, both spiritual and physical have been worked through St. Maria Goretti's intercession. Worldwide, there are many places of devotion to St. Maria Goretti, such as the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Graces and St. Maria Goretti in Nettuno, Italy.