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St Maria Goretti / Model for YouthYoungest Patron of World Youth Day, Sydney 2008
The story of this young saint models discernment. A forgiving young woman, Maria Goretti could think, judge and act upon her own inner convictions.
On October 16, 1890, Maria Goretti was born in Corinaldo, Italy, to Luigi Goretti and Assunta Carlini. Role Model for the YoungThe prayer for intercession to Maria Goretti asks for "victory in temptation, comfort in the sorrows of life, and for grace." Maria died at the young age of 12. She would have suffered much before this. The story of her attack indicates that she knew her attacker and that she had fought him off before being murdered. It is the story of escalating sexual tension and conflict. The reason for her canonisation does not seem to rest merely upon evidence that Maria was defending her honour because of her firm belief in the virtue of purity. She was also discerning and able to make her own decisions. She could think, judge and act upon her own inner convictions. So like Mary MacKillop she seemed to have the gift of being able to listen to God, from a very young age. She made her choices based on faith. An Occasion of ForgivenessBecause her family was of humble means, Maria and her family were forced to live with another family who had a son named Alessandro. Maria's father died from malaria, and one can only suppose that this was the reason she developed great strength and maturity. She has been described as charmingly modest, cheerfully obedient and able to accept the hardships that had fallen on her shoulders. She seemed to be becoming "wise in age and grace before God and men." Official Bio from Website Alessandro had been harassing Maria by making sexual advances towards her, even though she was only 12. It appears from the readings that he had become addicted to pornography. On July 5, 1902, once again rebuffed from his sexual advances, he flew into a rage. Maria shouted, "No! It is a sin! God does not want it!" Alexandro Serenelli killed Maria by stabbing her 14 times. Her death lasted a torturous 20 hours. During this time she forgave and prayed for Alessandro. She forgave him and so did her mother. When she died she was able to take the Last Sacraments, and a picture of the Blessed Mother comforted her until the end. This took place on July 6, 1902. Martyr of the Universal Church Because it was not even 50 years later on June 24, 1950, that Pope Pius XII pronounced Maria Goretti a Saint and Martyr of the Universal Church, both her mother, and her murderer were able to attend the canonization ceremony together. The Pope announced her as the Patroness of Modern Youth. Her Feast Day is July 6th. It is the day commemorating the triumph of a little girl who loved God and hated sin. Goretti was very poor, she was humble and led a very ordinary life. In spite of her simplicity, her great faith and love for God made her truly extraordinary. There are recorded miracles, both spiritual and physical, reported to have been worked through St. Maria Goretti's intercession worldwide. Places of devotion to St. Maria Goretti have sprung up around the world, such as the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Graces and St. Maria Goretti in Nettuno, Italy. Break the Silence Maria faced the same problems that many youth of the world now suffer and endure. The sexual pressures heaped upon these young people by society often demand that they battle through in quiet personal grief and shame. The canonisation of Maria Goretti breaks this silence and provides a model for youth to follow. Her memory has been honoured to the youth of the world. She has been named as one of the 10 Patron Saints of 2008 World Youth Day
The copyright of the article St Maria Goretti / Model for Youth in Catholic Saints is owned by Jo Murphy. Permission to republish St Maria Goretti / Model for Youth in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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