Post by Rita Anyika

Saint Maria Goretti Patron saint of youth, purity, and victims of rape. On July 6, we celebrate the feast day of Saint Maria Goretti (1890-1902), a Martyr for the faith and example of chastity and obedience. Maria Teresa Goretti was born in Corinaldo, Italy, the third of six children. Her family was quite poor, and while Maria was just a child, the family lost their home, farm, and land, and were forced to work for other farmers to survive. Maria’s father died of Malaria when she was just nine. Maria assumed responsibility for the household chores, including cooking, sewing, cleaning, and babysitting her infant sister. Her brothers, mother, and older sister worked the fields, earning money to support the family. Life was difficult, but the family found comfort in each other, and their deep love for the Lord. Eventually, the family was able to move into a building, which they shared with another family, the Serenelli family. On July 5, 1902, Maria was alone in the home, sewing, when the son of the family they shared a home with, Alessandro Serenelli, found her. He forced his way into her room and threatened her with death if she did not do as he said. Alessandro’s intention was to rape the young girl, but she would not submit, instead praying and reminding her attacker that his intentions constituted a mortal sin. When this didn’t stop him, Maria desperately fought her 19-year-old farmhand attacker. She repeatedly screamed, "No! It is a sin! God does not want it!" Alessandro first choked Maria, attempting to subdue her, but when she insisted she would rather die than submit to him, he stabbed her eleven times. The injured Maria tried to reach for the door, but Alessandro stopped her by stabbing her three more times before running away. Writing in 2002 based on his own interviews with Alessandro Serenelli and Maria's sister Ersilia in 1952, journalist Noel Crusz provided a more detailed account: On July 5 in 1902, exactly a hundred years ago, at 3 p.m. whilst [Maria's mother] Assunta and the other children were at the threshing floor, Serenelli who persistently sought sexual favors from the 12-year-old girl approached her. She was taking care of her infant sister in the farm house. Allesandro threatened her with a 10 inch dagger, and when Maria refused, as she had always done, Prayer Oh Saint Maria Goretti who, strengthened by God's grace, did not hesitate even at the age of twelve to shed your blood and sacrifice life itself to defend your virginal purity, look graciously on the unhappy human race which has strayed far from the path of eternal salvation. Teach us all, and especially youth, with what courage and promptitude 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 temptation, comfort in the sorrows of life, and the grace which we earnestly beg of thee (here insert intention), and may we one day enjoy with thee the imperishable glory of Heaven. Amen.