St.

Maria Goretti
 The "Chain of Promoters" are a group of the faithful Friends of St.
Saint Maria Goretti Maria Goretti, who are willing to take on the task and commitment of
Maria Goretti (16 October 1890 – 6 July 1902) is an Italian virgin- introducing this young Saint and Martyr to more people in their parish.
martyr of the Catholic Church, and is one of its youngest canonized The "Chain of Promoters" does this primarily by promoting and
saints. She was martyred after dying from multiple stab wounds, in- distributing the new Novena booklet to others in their parish and in
flicted by her attempted rapist after she refused him because of love of the area in which they live and to their relatives and friends.
Jesus and her loyalty to the Ten Commandments. Promoters are greatly and urgently required to promote the new
Early life booklet "NOVENA TO ST. MARIA GORETTI" in all parishes in the
USA, CANADA and throughout the world.
Maria was born "Maria Teresa Goretti" on 16 October 1890 in
If you can help and you would like to become a Promoter, please
Corinaldo, in the Province of Ancona, then in the Kingdom of Italy. She
contact the Novena Apostolate at 111-2400 Carling Avenue, Ottawa,
was the third out of six children. By the time she was six, her family
Ontario K2B 7H2 CANADA, and we will be more than happy to send
had become so poor that they were forced to give up their farm,
you information on being a Promoter and a link in our worldwide
move, and work for other farmers. She and her family moved to Le
"Chain of Promoters".
Ferriere, near modern Latina and Nettuno in Lazio, where they lived in
I, as the Director of Promoters, would personally like to invite you
a building, "La Cascina Antica", (pictured below) and shared with an-
to join me in this wonderful and spiritually rewarding apostolate work
other family, the Serenellis. When she was nine, her family's situation
for our beloved little Saint and Martyr, Maria Goretti.
grew even worse, when her father died of malaria. Maria's mother duti-
fully took her husband's place in the fields, while little Maria took her
Your Friend in St. Maria Goretti,
mother's role in caring for her siblings. The family was able to survive
Robert Brideau
by working the fields of a Count, a job they shared with a man named
Founder and President
Giovanni Serenelli and his teenager son Alessandro. Mr. Serenelli kept
St. Maria Goretti Novena Apostolate
most of the profits from the farming, leaving the Goretti family quite
111-2400 Carling Avenue
poor and frequently hungry.
Ottawa, Ontario K2B 7H2 CANADA
While her
brothers,
For more information on St. Maria Goretti's life, miracles, pilgrim-
mother and
ages or shrines, contact:
s i s t e r s
Friends of St. Maria Goretti USA
worked in
Br. Goretti Zilli, Director
the fields,
Maria would
General Information:
cook, sew,
P.O. Box 0043
and keep the
Maryknoll, NY 10545-0043 USA
house clean.
Tel: (914) 941-6372; Fax: (914) 945-0715
It was a hard life, but the family was very close. They shared a deep
email: [email protected]
love for God and the faith.
Through all the difficulties, Maria did her best. When neighbors or
kindly merchants would give Maria a treat, she would take it home to

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 St. Maria Goretti Apostolate Membership Invitation share with her brothers and sisters. Cheerful and intelligent, Maria was
I would like to offer you an invitation to become a Member of the also beautiful, with chestnut hair complementing her delicate features.
St. Maria Goretti Novena Apostolate, so that you and the members of On Maria's frequent trips into the nearby village to sell eggs and
your family may share in the spiritual benefits of this wonderful little chickens and to buy supplies for her family, she would visit the shrine
Apostolate dedicated to promoting devotion to St. Maria Goretti of Our Lady of Graces. Her family being too poor to pay for Masses in
worldwide and to promoting her Novena and Novena Booklet. Mem- her father's memory, every night Maria would recite the five Mysteries
bership in the St. Maria Goretti Novena Apostolate is FREE. of the Rosary for the repose of her father's soul.
The St. Maria Goretti Novena Apostolate was founded in April, In June of 1902, 20-year-old Alessandro Serenelli began ordering 11
1977, by myself, to promote and spread devotion to St. Maria Goretti, -year-old Maria to perform various difficult chores, none of which
Patroness of Modern Youth worldwide, and to encourage more could be completed to his satisfaction, and she was often reduced to
needed prayer to St. Maria Goretti for our youth, I also wanted to tears. Alessandro also began making advances on Maria. She rebuffed
make her beautiful Novena, written in 1950 by the late Msgr. James P. them all, but, unfortunately, said nothing to her mother, for fear of
Conroy, known to more people. Today, because of my efforts, St. causing trouble.
Maria Goretti is honoured with a beautiful new Shrine in Laflin, Penn- It happened one day that he became furious over her refusal as she
sylvania. fled from the field where his first attempt took place. Later that day
Members share in a monthly Novena to St. Maria Goretti offered she went to lunch with her family but her attacker slipped away to hide
here at the St. Maria Goretti Novena Apostolate for Members and for for several hours. For a whole week there was no trouble, but then as
their petitions and in a monthly Mass offered by Passionist Missions she made the beds with none of the family in the house, he had en-
Canada. Members also share in the prayers and good works of the tered quietly from behind and grabbed her. She fought him off and fi-
Apostolate and in the prayers of other Members. The Apostolate No- nally he quit, saying, "If you tell your mother, I'll kill you both!" He left
vena to St. Maria Goretti begins on the first day of every month here at the room and she locked the door behind him and stayed there until
the Apostolate and Members are invited to make the monthly Novena her mother returned and scolded her for not preparing the meal while
with us for their own needs and intentions, for the needs of our youth, Alessandro laughed at her discomfort. Since he had threatened to kill
and for all our Members. Members also share in the Masses and not only her, but also her mother, she told no one. But Alessandro did
prayers of Passionist Missions Canada, and of the Passionist priests, not give up. He followed her constantly, waiting and watching like the
brothers and sisters located in over forty countries. proverbial cat and mouse. His threat rang in her ears, constantly chill-
To be enrolled in the St. Maria Goretti Novena Apostolate, just e- ing her, and yet prayer gave her confidence.
mail your request to the Apostolate at [email protected] and a Maria's martyrdom
Registration Form for Membership will be mailed to you. Each new A few days later, on 5 July 1902, Alessandro called out, "Maria, I
Member receives a Novena Booklet, Membership Card, and a copy of have a torn shirt that needs mending. I shall need it to go to mass to-
her new reprinted biography book ST. MARIA GORETTI - In Gar- morrow; I'm leaving it on my bed." Although she felt like refusing, she
ments All Red. There are now over 400 Members enrolled, praying consented to be of service. Alessandro went out to harness the team
daily as a group United in Prayer to St. Maria Goretti for our youth. of oxen. He asked Maria's mother, Assunta, to take his place. "I forgot
It is the goal of the St. Maria Goretti Novena Apostolate to have my handkerchief," he explained. "I'll be right back." Meanwhile, Maria
the new "Edition 2000" Novena booklet distributed worldwide through was seated on the second floor landing watching her baby sister,
a "Chain of Promoters". Teresa, and mending Alessandro's shirt. He brushed past her. Once
inside the kitchen he called out in a harsh voice, "Maria, come in here!"

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She refused. He grabbed her and pulled her inside, threatening her with Recite the Litany of the Blessed Virgin followed by
a knife. She pulled herself free screaming for help, but the sounds of Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my Love!
the threshing drowned it out. She hid behind the table for protection. Sweet Heart of Mary, be my Salvation!
He knocked it aside and trapped her. "Are you going to give in, or Recite the Prayer to Saint Mary Goretti above, followed by
must I kill you?" he yelled. She struggled to get away, twisting, scream- Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be to the Father,
ing and biting, repeating again and again, "No, I will not!" "Why not?", Saint Mary Goretti, Pray for us!
he argued. "It is a sin, Alessandro. You will go to hell if you do it." The In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
brute in him took over and he said later that something inside of him Amen.
had snapped and in a mad rage, he plunged the knife into her breast, Prayer Before a Dance or Party
abdomen, and various parts of her body. He stabbed her fourteen
Dear Saint Maria Goretti! The world teaches that we must please
times.
others in order to be popular. Conscience demands that I please God
Thinking she was dead, he flung the bloody knife across the
more than one who asks an evil thing in the name of false love. Teach
room and angrily went into his room and locked the door. When he
me by your example to instill into others a real respect for modesty
failed to return, the mother became worried and sent Mariano to see
and purity. Through your powerful intercession, help me to make of
what had happened. The young brother found Maria on the kitchen
this evening an occasion for helping others to become spiritually
floor, her clothing soaked in blood. He ran and yelled for the mother.
stronger. Grant that others may see in me reason to change their
Assunta entered. A loud cry broke the stillness of the air. In tears, the
ways, if that be necessary, and that I may have the courage to resist any
mother, assisted by another woman, quickly tried to bind up her
temptation to sinful conduct. Let others be led closer to Jesus and
wounds to stop the bleeding. "Who did this, to you?" the mother
Mary by my example.
asked. "Alessandro", Maria whispered. "But why?" her mother sobbed.
Oh Little Saint who wanted to be popular only with your Divine
"Because he wanted me to sin and I would not," she said softly.
Master and His Blessed Mother, help me to imitate you. Amen.
The medical report read as follows: "There were: two wounds on
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, etc.
the inside of the right arm; wounds on the right side of the thorax; six
St. Maria Goretti, pray for us!
wounds on the back; one along the vertebral column; three wounds on
the left between the lines of the scapular and the para-vertebral; an- Prayer Before a Date
other wound below these; small wound to the side; vast wound in a Dear Little Saint Maria Goretti! Teach me that God must be my
straight line on the abdomen; contusion on the right elbow; small first love and that all other love is based on Him and Him alone. Obtain
bruise on right knee; two small bruises on middle quarter of front sur- for me the grace to cease toying with the occasions of sin and to re-
face of right leg; four of these wounds injured the right auricle and left member that my body and the bodies of all in grace are temples of the
lung; five penetrated the abdominal cavity." Holy Spirit, destined someday for a glorious resurrection.
Domenico, a farmer, hitched up his cart and went to get a doctor. Through your beautiful example, teach me the value and dignity of
The news spread quickly. An angry mob gathered in front of the house. Christian modesty. Grant that I may never be the occasion of dragging
Meanwhile Count Mazzolini had called the police. The bloody knife was others into Hell, by suggestive words or evil deeds of any kind.
found. "Alessandro!", "Where is he?," they shouted. They found his Through the merits of your Martyrdom, obtain for me the grace to
door locked and began to break it down. At that moment the police turn aside from sin, no matter what the cost, so that one day I may
arrived on horses. They quickly took charge of the situation and hand- enjoy Heaven with you and all the other saints. Amen.
cuffed the dazed young man. Finally, the doctor arrived and all were Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, etc.
St. Maria Goretti, pray for us!
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 DAY SEVEN (July 4) required to leave the room. A horse drawn ambulance had been called
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. and arrived after four hours. Maria was growing weaker from loss of
Amen. blood. Her mother climbed in the ambulance with her as her brothers
Dear Little Saint, never was Jesus more welcome in a human heart and sisters kissed her goodbye. In a cloud of dust, the ambulance
than in yours. The Great Day of First Communion could not come passed the killer, as he walked between two mounted police tied to
quickly enough. In borrowed clothes and head crowned with flowers of each saddle. He was perspiring and covered with dust.
the field, you knelt to receive Him into your soul, so rich with Inno- She underwent surgery without anesthesia, but her injuries were
cence and Love, and this after months of keen anticipation! beyond the doctors' help. She was in extreme pain but she uttered no
O Powerful Intercessor with the Lamb of God, inflame my soul sound during the two hours of surgery. Halfway throughout the sur-
with your "ardent longing to receive Jesus in the Eucharist." Obtain for gery, Maria woke up. She insisted that it stay that way. The pharmacist
me the grace to put aside laziness and indifference, so that I may often, of the hospital in which she died said to her, "Maria, think of me in
even daily, allow myself to be consumed in the "burning Furnace of Paradise." She looked to the old man: "Well, who knows, which of us is
Charity." Teach me what true Love really is! Amen. going to be there first?" "You, Maria," he replied. "Then I will gladly
DAY EIGHT (July 5) think of you," said Maria.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. The following day, twenty hours after the attack, she was asked if
Amen she forgave her murderer and she replied, "Yes, for the love of Jesus I
Dear Little Martyr! To the last you followed your beloved Jesus! forgive him...and I want him to be with me in Paradise." Maria died of
He, while hanging upon His Cross of Suffering, uttered through her injuries, while looking at a very beautiful picture of the Blessed
parched lips, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do!" Mother on July 6, 1902, the Feast of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus.
And you upon your bed of pain, burning with fever, forgave your mur- Serenelli's imprisonment and repentance
derer with the words, "I too, pardon him... I too, wish him to join me Originally, Alessandro Serenelli was going to be sentenced to life,
in Paradise! but since he was a minor at that time, the sentence was commuted to
Grant me the grace, O Heroic Saint, to be charitable to others! 30 years in prison. Later, a priest cam to see him. He turned on the
Much of my time is spent on vengeful thoughts, seeking how I may pay cleric in a rage. "Soon, Alessandro, you will want me," the priest said.
back to others the harm they have done to me. Teach me to forgive, "Maria will see to that." "Never", the prisoner screamed, "I'll never
so that I may not only gain Heaven, but also lead others there who want you, never!". In the years which followed, he was known as a
might otherwise be doomed to Hell. If I am to follow Christ, help me hardened criminal with no regrets for the terrible murder he had com-
to imitate His Charity, even as you have done. Amen. mitted. One night in the year 1910, Alessandro was asleep. Suddenly,
DAY NINE (July 6 Feast) he heard soft music and detected a wonderful aroma of flowers. A
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. bright light shone in his eyes. "Maria," he cried, in a frightened voice.
Amen He saw a garden. where a young girl, dressed in white, was gathering
Dear Saint Maria Goretti! Once again I turn to you, and beg of you lilies. She smiled, and came near him, and encouraged him to accept an
in the words of Our Holy Father, Pope Pius XII, that "serenity of spirit armful of the lilies. As he accepted them, each lily transformed into a
and deep joy which is the heritage of those who are pure of heart." still white flame. Maria then disappeared.
Help me to turn to Our Blessed Lady, confident in the hope that she He realized later that the burning sensation of the flowers was a
will take my hand as she did yours, and lead me on to Paradise, my sign to him that the prayers of Maria would enable him to accept the
heavenly country, there to enjoy with you and Her, the company of Divine Mercy of Jesus, and to reject sin and its consequences of punish-
God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost for all Eternity. Amen.
12 5
ment in the everlasting fires of hell. "I saw her" he cried. "Bring the DAY FOUR (July 1)
priest!" The jailers laughed at him. "If you have anything to say then In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
write to the priest", they answered callously. Alessandro wrote a com- Amen
plete confession asking God's pardon. Dear Little Saint! Your days were spent in the filth of the marshes,
After his release, Alessandro Serenelli visited Maria's still-living willingly helping your desperately poor parents and family. Obtain for
mother, Assunta, and begged her forgiveness. She forgave him, saying me the grace to accept my present circumstances in life, no matter
that if Maria had forgiven him on her deathbed then she couldn't do how difficult or humiliating they may be. "Just one little drop of water"
less, and they attended Mass together the next day, receiving Holy as the only request that fell from your parched lips during those last
Communion side by side. Alessandro reportedly prayed every day to horrible hours of life. How much I demand, how unhappy I am when I
Maria Goretti and referred to her as "my little saint." cannot have my share of the world's conveniences and gaudy attrac-
Serenelli later became a lay brother of the Order of Friars Minor tions! Teach me by your heroic example to be content with what I
Capuchin, living in a monastery and working as its receptionist and gar- have, to be grateful for the blessings God has already showered upon
dener, until dying peacefully in the year 1970. me. Amen.
Beatification and canonization DAY FIVE (July 2)
On the evening of the beatification ceremonies in the Basilica of In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Saint Peter, 27 April 1947, Pope Pius XII walked over to Assunta. She Amen
almost fainted. "When I saw the Pope coming, I prayed, Madonna, Dear Little Saint, I depend a great deal upon the help of my friends
please help me. He put his hand on my head and said, blessed mother, in time of trouble or sorrow. I look for their approval in many things I
happy mother, mother of a Blessed!" They both had eyes wet with do. I am disconsolate and lonely when they desert me. Through your
tears. powerful intercession in Heaven, obtain for me the grace to place all
Three years later, on 24 June 1950, Pius XII canonized Goretti as a my confidence in God. Only by walking constantly in His presence and
saint, the "Saint Agnes of the 20th century." Assunta was again present depending upon His help, will I have the courage to stand up for His
at the ceremony, along with her four remaining sons and daughters. laws, even though it may mean loss of friends, criticism and complete
She was the first mother ever to attend the canonization ceremony of removal of worldly comfort. Help me to look for all of my strength in
her child. Alessandro Serenelli was also present at the canonization. Him. Amen.
Owing to the huge crowd present, the ceremonies associated with DAY SIX (July 3)
the canonization were held outside of St Peter's Basilica, in the Piazza In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
San Pietro. Pius XII spoke, not as before in Latin, but in Italian. "We Amen
order and declare, that the Blessed Maria Goretti can be venerated as Dear Little Saint! Help me to greater love of my Faith. I have many
a Saint and We introduce her into the Canon of Saints." Some 500,000 God-given opportunities to study it but, sad to say, I neglect them. I am
people, among them a majority of youth, had come from around the even critical of the Priests, Brothers and Sisters who offer their lives
World. Pius asked them: "Young people, pleasure of the eyes of Jesus, that I may better know and love my holy religion. Dear Saint Mary
are you determined to resist any attack on your chastity with the help Goretti, teach me to be thankful for these grace which you did not
of grace of God?" A resounding "yes" was the answer. have. Make me proud of my Faith and ready to die for it, if God should
Her body is incorrupt and kept in the crypt of the Basilica of Santa require that of me Amen.
Maria delle Grazie e Santa Maria Goretti in Nettuno, south of Rome.

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we should flee for the love of Jesus, anything that could offend Him or
stain our souls with sin. Obtain for us from our Lord victory in tempta-
tion, comfort in the sorrows of life, and the grace which we earnestly
beg of Thee, (mention your request) and may we one day enjoy with
Thee the imperishable glory of heaven. Amen.
The Nine Day Novena To St. Mary Goretti
DAY ONE (June 29)
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Amen
St. Maria Goretti’s incorrupt body lying in a glass case
Most lovable little Saint, who valued your purity above any earthly
gain, and who sealed this choice with a martyr's death, obtain for me
also a strong love of this virtue, so consoling to the Sacred Heart of Feast day
Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The pleasures of the world Goretti's feast day, celebrated on 6 July, was inserted in the Roman
create many temptations for me. I turn to your powerful intercession Catholic calendar of saints for the first time when it was revised in
in Heaven, so that with this help I may remain ever loyal to God, no 1969. Maria is the patron saint of chastity, rape victims, youth, teenage
matter what the price. In danger inspire me to repeat with you, "No, it girls, poverty, purity and forgiveness.
is a sin!" Amen. In art
DAY TWO (June 30)
Goretti is represented in art as a wavy-haired young girl in farmer
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
clothes or a white dress, with a bouquet of lilies in her hands, and she
Amen.
is sometimes counted among the ranks of the Passionist order since
Dear Saint Maria Goretti, model of loving obedience to parents,
her spiritual formation was guided by the Passionists.
teach me to imitate your example. Help me to overcome all selfishness
and stubborn pride, draw my parents to Thee, then lead me to accept Movies
this authority as the Voice of God in my life. Help them to direct me The life of St. Maria Goretti has been portrayed several times in
aright and enable me to obey their every wish. Amen. film. The most recent is a movie, “Maria Goretti,” released in 2003
DAY THREE (June 31) which was directed by Giulio Base and featured Martina Pinto in the
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. role of the saint.
Amen. Alessandro Serenelli
Dear Little Saint Maria! You were ready for the moment of martyr- Maria Goretti's heroic story of love and forgiveness would not be
dom because your short life was given over to daily and heroic self- complete without one of its first miraculous fruits: the conversion of
denial. Your great love of the Sacred Hearts made all this possible. Alessandro Serenelli, Maria's murderer.
Teach me to love Jesus and His Blessed Mother, so that I too will be Immediately after his brutal assault on young Maria Goretti, Ales-
inspired to daily self-denial. I am inclined to pamper myself, to gratify sandro was imprisoned temporarily in Nettuno and then transferred to
my senses, and to excuse myself from all penance. This keeps me from Regina Coeli prison in Rome to stand trial. After vehemently denying
being a true follower of Christ. Help me, lovable Little Martyr, to a sin- his guilt, he finally broke down in the face of overwhelming testimony.
cere practice of self- denial, so that I may be your worthy follower and Since he was a minor, he was sentenced to only thirty years hard labor.
thus gain Heaven for all Eternity. Amen.
10 7
 A priest came to see him soon afterward, and he turned on the "Little Maria was really my light, my protectress; with her help, I
cleric in rage, howling like a maniac and lunging at him. behaved well during the 27 years of prison and tried to live honestly
In the days which followed, Alessandro lost his appetite and grew when I was again accepted among the members of society. The
nervous. After six years of prison, he was near the brink of despair. Brothers of St. Francis, Capuchins from Marche, welcomed me with
Then one night, Maria appeared to him in his cell. She smiled at Ales- angelic charity into their monastery as a brother, not as a servant.
sandro and was surrounded by lilies, the flower symbolic of purity. I've been living with their community for 24 years, and now I am
From that moment, peace invaded Alessandro's heart, and he be- serenely waiting to witness the vision of God, to hug my loved ones
gan to live a constructive life. again, and to be next to my Guardian Angel and her dear mother,
After serving his sentence, Alessandro took up residence at a Assunta.
Capuchin monastery, working in the garden as a tertiary. He asked par- "I hope this letter that I wrote can teach others the happy lesson
don of Maria's mother and accompanied her to Christmas Mass in the of avoiding evil and of always following the right path, like little chil-
parish church where he spoke before the hushed congregation, ac- dren. I feel that religion with its precepts is not something we can live
knowledging his sin and asking God's forgiveness and the pardon of the without, but rather it is the real comfort, the real strength in life and
community. the only safe way in every circumstance, even the most painful ones
Forty years later, on June 24, 1950, Maria was canonized at St. Pe- of life."
ter's basilica in Rome, with Alessandro's heart now firmly converted to
the Lord. A miraculous fruit of Maria's life, indeed! Signature, Alessandro Serenelli
Alessandro Serenelli died on May 6th, 1970 in the Capuchin con- Epilogue
vent of Macerata. He left the following testimony, dated May 5, 1961,
as his spiritual legacy: This was the triumph of the little girl who loved God and hated sin.
Maria Goretti had led a very ordinary life. But in spite of her sim-
"I'm nearly 80 years old. I'm about to depart.
plicity, her great faith and love for God made her truly extraordinary.
"Looking back at my past, I can see that in my early youth, I
Her life and legacy lives on. Love's bravest choice is simply this: Choose
chose a bad path which led me to ruin myself.
God over sin and eternal joy over eternal damnation. Choose life!
"My behavior was influenced by print, mass-media and bad ex-
Choose to be a saint!
amples which are followed by the majority of young people without
Many recorded miracles, both spiritual and physical, have been
even thinking. And I did the same. I was not worried.
worked through St. Maria Goretti's intercession. Worldwide, there are
"There were a lot of generous and devoted people who sur-
many places of devotion to St. Maria Goretti, such as the Sanctuary of
rounded me, but I paid no attention to them because a violent force
Our Lady of Graces and St. Maria Goretti in Nettuno, Italy.
blinded me and pushed me toward a wrong way of life.
"When I was 20 years-old, I committed a crime of passion. Now, Prayers to St. Maria Goretti
that memory represents something horrible for me. Maria Goretti,
now a Saint, was my good Angel, sent to me through Providence to St. Maria Goretti Novena Prayer
guide and save me. I still have impressed upon my heart her words Saint Maria Goretti who, strengthened by God's grace, did not
of rebuke and of pardon. She prayed for me, she interceded for her hesitate, even at the age of twelve, to shed your blood and sacrifice life
murderer. Thirty years of prison followed. itself to defend your virginal purity, look graciously on the unhappy hu-
"If I had been of age, I would have spent all my life in prison. I man race, which has strayed far from the path of eternal salvation.
accepted to be condemned because it was my own fault. Teach us all, and especially youth, with what courage and promptitude

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