TODAY'S SAINT (St. Maria Goretti)

JULY 6

ST. MARIA GORETTI

Virgin and Martyr (Patroness of Youth)

St. Maria Goretti, called by Pope Pius XII "the St. Agnes of the 20th century," was born on a small farm near Ancona, Italy, in 1890. The third of seven children, she was, in the words of whim, but with a sense and seriousness beyond her years, and never disobedient." Her father died when she was nine, and Maria helped out with the younger children and the housework while her mother ran the farm. She received First Communion at eleven and strove with all her strength to do better each day.

Six months later, this heroic maiden was severely tried for her Faith. The Goretti family shared a home with the partner of their father and his son, Alexander, a wicked-minded youth who began making sinful advances toward Maria. She repelled them immediately but said nothing about hem for he threatened to kill her and her mother if she did. Finally, lust drove the tragic Alexander to attack outright, but again the saint resisted him with all her strength, crying out repeatedly: "No, it's a sin! God does not want it!" Whereupon, the attacker, overwhelmed by fear and anger, began to strike at her blindy with a long dagger, and several blows passed clear through her body.

St. Maria was rushed to the hospital at Nettuno and surgeons worked feverishly to save her life, but it soon became evident that nothing could be done. The next morning she was given Communion, but first queried about her attitude toward Alexander. She replied clearly that she forgave him, that she would pray for his repentance, and that she wished to see him in heaven.

On July 6, 1902, this saintly maiden died and went to meet her heavenly Spouse for Whose love she had been willing to give her life.

On July 25, 1950, she was raised to sainthood, with her mother, brothers, and sisters present, a unique event in the history of the Church. By that time her prayers for her murderer had long since been heard and answered. After serving eight years of unrepentant imprisoment, Allexander had a complete change of heart; released for good behavior after twenty-seven years, he hastened to beg forgiveness of the saint's mother and then became a Capuchin laybrother, who gave evidence at the canonical enquiry about Blessed Maria and lived to see here canonized.

PRAY

God, Author of innocence and Lover of

chastity, You conferred on St. Maria Your

handmaid the grace of martydom at a yo-

uthful age. through her intercession grant

us constancy in Your commandments, You

Who gave the crown to a virginn who fou-

ght for You. Amen.