On July 6, the Church honors St. Maria Goretti, the young Italian girl martyred in defense of her purity. She became a witness to Christ-like forgiveness when on her deathbed she forgave her attacker, and through her actions led years later to his repentance and conversion.
St. Maria Goretti was only eleven years old when she was attacked by a man intent on harming her and her purity. In defending herself, she was stabbed viciously. Maria underwent terrible pain in her final moments of life, but on her deathbed, she told the police and her family, “I forgive him. I want him with me in heaven!”
In the inspiring book, The Life and Witness of Saint Maria Goretti: Our Little Saint of the Beatitudes, read about her great holiness amid suffering. Fr. Jeff Kirby examines the life of this little saint as he reflects on the Beatitudes and how she, along with her family, lived them each day.
St. Maria Goretti holds a special place at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. She is honored with her own side altar at the Shrine Church, where her first-class relic resides permanently for the faithful to venerate. Above the altar is a beautiful original painting by Noah Buchanan, depicting St. Maria offering lilies of forgiveness to her attacker, when she visited him in a dream in prison. Those enrolled in her Mass Guild are offered up in prayer monthly during Holy Mass.
Because of St. Maria’s importance to the Shrine, the Flores Mariae Gift Shop has collected inspirational items in her honor, including a prayer card with a copy of the Shrine’s original painting. Get your prayer card honoring St. Maria as the patroness of purity, youth, and forgiveness now, among many other items. Complete your collection with a St. Maria Goretti coin, featuring a prayer to this young saint.
Explore these items and more at FloresMariae.com.