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Life in
Brief
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October 16, 1890
Maria Goretti is born in Corinaldo, Italy to Luigi Goretti and
Assunta Carlini.
October 17, 1890
Maria is baptized in the Church of San Francesco in
Corinaldo.
October 4, 1896
Maria is confirmed by Mons. Giulio Boschi, Bishop of Senigallia. |
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June 16, 1901
Maria receives her First Holy Communion in the church of Conca,
today called Borgo Montello
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July 5, 1902
Maria is mortally wounded at 15.30 by her neighbor, Alessandro
Serenelli, who attacked her with intent to sexually abuse her. He
was 20 years old. |
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July 6, 1902
Maria dies at the age of 11 years, 9 months and 21 days, after
forgiving Alessandro.
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May 31, 1935
Commencement of the informative process at Albano
April 27, 1947
Maria is beatified by the Roman Catholic Church.
June 24, 1950
Maria Goretti is
declared Saint in St. Peter's Square by Pope |
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Pius XII, becoming the
youngest officially recognized Roman Catholic saint ever. |
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Maria Goretti died a martyr before her twelfth birthday. Young as she
was, she made a choice, a choice based on her faith. The Church holds
up to the world the life, death and the faith of Maria Goretti.
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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. The two families lived together in a |
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building (see photo) owned by Count Mazzolini.
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 charming modesty, cheerful obedience
and the serious, but free acceptance of a hundred thankless home
chores distinguished her from the other children who would play in the
dusty streets of Ferriere. Perhaps the highlight of her life was her
First Holy Communion, which she dutifully prepared for and awaited
with great anticipation. She truly seemed to be advancing "in wisdom,
and age and grace before God and men."
Lured by the passions of his day and nurturing the dark side of his
soul with impious reading and thoughts,
Alessandro Serenelli
had been a thorn in lovely Maria's side. He propositioned her on
several occasions and harassed her with impure suggestions. On July 5,
1902, he would be denied no longer. As she once again rebuffed his
sexual advance, shouting, "No! It is a sin! God does not want it!",
Alexander lunged to the deed, stabbing Maria 14 times.
Doctors
in Nettuno tried to save Maria's life to no avail. After 20 painful
hours of suffering during which she forgave and prayed for Alessandro,
Maria entered Heaven fortified with the Last Sacraments. Her last
earthly gaze rested upon a picture of the Blessed Mother. It was July
6, 1902.
Almost
fifty years later on June 24, 1950, 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. Her
mother, and her murderer, attended the canonization ceremony together.
This was the triumph of
the little girl who loved God and hated sin.
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Maria Goretti had
led a very ordinary life. But in spite of her simplicity, her
great faith and love for God made her truly extraordinary.
Many recorded miracles, both spiritual and physical, have
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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, pictured here.
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For more information on St. Maria Goretti's life, miracles,
pilgrimages or shrines,
contact us!
"Una
Storia, Una Profezia"
del Santuario-Basilica Madonna delle Grazie e S. Maria Goretti (italiano).
For Maria's Biography in Chinese, click here.
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