St. Maria Goretti-biography And Prayers 6n3365

St. Maria Goretti

Saint Maria Goretti Maria Goretti (16 October 1890 – 6 July 1902) is an Italian virginmartyr of the Catholic Church, and is one of its youngest canonized saints. She was martyred after dying from multiple stab wounds, inflicted by her attempted rapist after she refused him because of love of Jesus and her loyalty to the Ten Commandments.

Early life Maria was born "Maria Teresa Goretti" on 16 October 1890 in Corinaldo, in the Province of Ancona, then in the Kingdom of Italy. She was the third out of six children. By the time she was six, her family had become so poor that they were forced to give up their farm, move, and work for other farmers. She and her family moved to Le Ferriere, near modern Latina and Nettuno in Lazio, where they lived in a building, "La Cascina Antica", (pictured below) and shared with another family, the Serenellis. When she was nine, her family's situation grew even worse, when her father died of malaria. Maria's mother dutifully took her husband's place in the fields, while little Maria took her mother's role in caring for her siblings. The family was able to survive by working the fields of a Count, a job they shared with a man named Giovanni Serenelli and his teenager son Alessandro. Mr. Serenelli kept most of the profits from the farming, leaving the Goretti family quite poor and frequently hungry. While her brothers, mother and s i s t e r s worked in the fields, Maria would cook, sew, and keep the house clean. It was a hard life, but the family was very close. They shared a deep 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 2

The "Chain of Promoters" are a group of the faithful Friends of St. Maria Goretti, who are willing to take on the task and commitment of introducing this young Saint and Martyr to more people in their parish. The "Chain of Promoters" does this primarily by promoting and distributing the new Novena booklet to others in their parish and in the area in which they live and to their relatives and friends. Promoters are greatly and urgently required to promote the new booklet "NOVENA TO ST. MARIA GORETTI" in all parishes in the USA, CANADA and throughout the world. If you can help and you would like to become a Promoter, please the Novena Apostolate at 111-2400 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario K2B 7H2 CANADA, and we will be more than happy to send you information on being a Promoter and a link in our worldwide "Chain of Promoters". I, as the Director of Promoters, would personally like to invite you to me in this wonderful and spiritually rewarding apostolate work for our beloved little Saint and Martyr, Maria Goretti. Your Friend in St. Maria Goretti, Robert Brideau Founder and President St. Maria Goretti Novena Apostolate 111-2400 Carling Avenue Ottawa, Ontario K2B 7H2 CANADA For more information on St. Maria Goretti's life, miracles, pilgrimages or shrines, : Friends of St. Maria Goretti USA Br. Goretti Zilli, Director General Information: P.O. Box 0043 Maryknoll, NY 10545-0043 USA Tel: (914) 941-6372; Fax: (914) 945-0715 email: [email protected]

15

St. Maria Goretti Apostolate hip Invitation I would like to offer you an invitation to become a Member of the St. Maria Goretti Novena Apostolate, so that you and the of your family may share in the spiritual benefits of this wonderful little Apostolate dedicated to promoting devotion to St. Maria Goretti worldwide and to promoting her Novena and Novena Booklet. hip in the St. Maria Goretti Novena Apostolate is FREE. The St. Maria Goretti Novena Apostolate was founded in April, 1977, by myself, to promote and spread devotion to St. Maria Goretti, Patroness of Modern Youth worldwide, and to encourage more needed prayer to St. Maria Goretti for our youth, I also wanted to make her beautiful Novena, written in 1950 by the late Msgr. James P. Conroy, known to more people. Today, because of my efforts, St. Maria Goretti is honoured with a beautiful new Shrine in Laflin, Pennsylvania. share in a monthly Novena to St. Maria Goretti offered here at the St. Maria Goretti Novena Apostolate for and for their petitions and in a monthly Mass offered by ionist Missions Canada. also share in the prayers and good works of the Apostolate and in the prayers of other . The Apostolate Novena to St. Maria Goretti begins on the first day of every month here at the Apostolate and are invited to make the monthly Novena with us for their own needs and intentions, for the needs of our youth, and for all our . also share in the Masses and prayers of ionist Missions Canada, and of the ionist priests, brothers and sisters located in over forty countries. To be enrolled in the St. Maria Goretti Novena Apostolate, just email your request to the Apostolate at [email protected] and a Registration Form for hip will be mailed to you. Each new Member receives a Novena Booklet, hip Card, and a copy of her new reprinted biography book ST. MARIA GORETTI - In Garments All Red. There are now over 400 enrolled, praying daily as a group United in Prayer to St. Maria Goretti for our youth. It is the goal of the St. Maria Goretti Novena Apostolate to have the new "Edition 2000" Novena booklet distributed worldwide through a "Chain of Promoters".

14

share with her brothers and sisters. Cheerful and intelligent, Maria was also beautiful, with chestnut hair complementing her delicate features. On Maria's frequent trips into the nearby village to sell eggs and chickens and to buy supplies for her family, she would visit the shrine of Our Lady of Graces. Her family being too poor to pay for Masses in her father's memory, every night Maria would recite the five Mysteries of the Rosary for the repose of her father's soul. In June of 1902, 20-year-old Alessandro Serenelli began ordering 11 -year-old Maria to perform various difficult chores, none of which could be completed to his satisfaction, and she was often reduced to tears. Alessandro also began making advances on Maria. She rebuffed them all, but, unfortunately, said nothing to her mother, for fear of causing trouble. It happened one day that he became furious over her refusal as she fled from the field where his first attempt took place. Later that day she went to lunch with her family but her attacker slipped away to hide for several hours. For a whole week there was no trouble, but then as she made the beds with none of the family in the house, he had entered quietly from behind and grabbed her. She fought him off and finally he quit, saying, "If you tell your mother, I'll kill you both!" He left the room and she locked the door behind him and stayed there until her mother returned and scolded her for not preparing the meal while Alessandro laughed at her discomfort. Since he had threatened to kill not only her, but also her mother, she told no one. But Alessandro did not give up. He followed her constantly, waiting and watching like the proverbial cat and mouse. His threat rang in her ears, constantly chilling her, and yet prayer gave her confidence.

Maria's martyrdom A few days later, on 5 July 1902, Alessandro called out, "Maria, I have a torn shirt that needs mending. I shall need it to go to mass tomorrow; I'm leaving it on my bed." Although she felt like refusing, she consented to be of service. Alessandro went out to harness the team of oxen. He asked Maria's mother, Assunta, to take his place. "I forgot my handkerchief," he explained. "I'll be right back." Meanwhile, Maria was seated on the second floor landing watching her baby sister, 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!" 3

She refused. He grabbed her and pulled her inside, threatening her with a knife. She pulled herself free screaming for help, but the sounds of the threshing drowned it out. She hid behind the table for protection. He knocked it aside and trapped her. "Are you going to give in, or must I kill you?" he yelled. She struggled to get away, twisting, screaming and biting, repeating again and again, "No, I will not!" "Why not?", he argued. "It is a sin, Alessandro. You will go to hell if you do it." The brute in him took over and he said later that something inside of him had snapped and in a mad rage, he plunged the knife into her breast, abdomen, and various parts of her body. He stabbed her fourteen times. Thinking she was dead, he flung the bloody knife across the room and angrily went into his room and locked the door. When he failed to return, the mother became worried and sent Mariano to see what had happened. The young brother found Maria on the kitchen floor, her clothing soaked in blood. He ran and yelled for the mother. Assunta entered. A loud cry broke the stillness of the air. In tears, the mother, assisted by another woman, quickly tried to bind up her wounds to stop the bleeding. "Who did this, to you?" the mother asked. "Alessandro", Maria whispered. "But why?" her mother sobbed. "Because he wanted me to sin and I would not," she said softly. The medical report read as follows: "There were: two wounds on the inside of the right arm; wounds on the right side of the thorax; six wounds on the back; one along the vertebral column; three wounds on the left between the lines of the scapular and the para-vertebral; another wound below these; small wound to the side; vast wound in a straight line on the abdomen; contusion on the right elbow; small bruise on right knee; two small bruises on middle quarter of front surface of right leg; four of these wounds injured the right auricle and left lung; five penetrated the abdominal cavity." Domenico, a farmer, hitched up his cart and went to get a doctor. The news spread quickly. An angry mob gathered in front of the house. Meanwhile Count Mazzolini had called the police. The bloody knife was found. "Alessandro!", "Where is he?," they shouted. They found his door locked and began to break it down. At that moment the police arrived on horses. They quickly took charge of the situation and handcuffed the dazed young man. Finally, the doctor arrived and all were 4

Recite the Litany of the Blessed Virgin followed by Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my Love! Sweet Heart of Mary, be my Salvation! Recite the Prayer to Saint Mary Goretti above, followed by Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be to the Father, Saint Mary Goretti, Pray for us! In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Prayer Before a Dance or Party Dear Saint Maria Goretti! The world teaches that we must please others in order to be popular. Conscience demands that I please God more than one who asks an evil thing in the name of false love. Teach me by your example to instill into others a real respect for modesty and purity. Through your powerful intercession, help me to make of this evening an occasion for helping others to become spiritually stronger. Grant that others may see in me reason to change their ways, if that be necessary, and that I may have the courage to resist any temptation to sinful conduct. Let others be led closer to Jesus and Mary by my example. Oh Little Saint who wanted to be popular only with your Divine Master and His Blessed Mother, help me to imitate you. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, etc. St. Maria Goretti, pray for us!

Prayer Before a Date Dear Little Saint Maria Goretti! Teach me that God must be my first love and that all other love is based on Him and Him alone. Obtain for me the grace to cease toying with the occasions of sin and to that my body and the bodies of all in grace are temples of the Holy Spirit, destined someday for a glorious resurrection. Through your beautiful example, teach me the value and dignity of Christian modesty. Grant that I may never be the occasion of dragging others into Hell, by suggestive words or evil deeds of any kind. Through the merits of your Martyrdom, obtain for me the grace to turn aside from sin, no matter what the cost, so that one day I may enjoy Heaven with you and all the other saints. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, etc. St. Maria Goretti, pray for us! 13

DAY SEVEN (July 4) In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Dear Little Saint, never was Jesus more welcome in a human heart than in yours. The Great Day of First Communion could not come quickly enough. In borrowed clothes and head crowned with flowers of the field, you knelt to receive Him into your soul, so rich with Innocence and Love, and this after months of keen anticipation! O Powerful Intercessor with the Lamb of God, inflame my soul with your "ardent longing to receive Jesus in the Eucharist." Obtain for me the grace to put aside laziness and indifference, so that I may often, even daily, allow myself to be consumed in the "burning Furnace of Charity." Teach me what true Love really is! Amen. DAY EIGHT (July 5) In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen Dear Little Martyr! To the last you followed your beloved Jesus! He, while hanging upon His Cross of Suffering, uttered through parched lips, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do!" And you upon your bed of pain, burning with fever, forgave your murderer with the words, "I too, pardon him... I too, wish him to me in Paradise! Grant me the grace, O Heroic Saint, to be charitable to others! Much of my time is spent on vengeful thoughts, seeking how I may pay back to others the harm they have done to me. Teach me to forgive, so that I may not only gain Heaven, but also lead others there who might otherwise be doomed to Hell. If I am to follow Christ, help me to imitate His Charity, even as you have done. Amen. DAY NINE (July 6 Feast) In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen Dear Saint Maria Goretti! Once again I turn to you, and beg of you in the words of Our Holy Father, Pope Pius XII, that "serenity of spirit and deep joy which is the heritage of those who are pure of heart." Help me to turn to Our Blessed Lady, confident in the hope that she will take my hand as she did yours, and lead me on to Paradise, my heavenly country, there to enjoy with you and Her, the company of God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost for all Eternity. Amen.

required to leave the room. A horse drawn ambulance had been called and arrived after four hours. Maria was growing weaker from loss of blood. Her mother climbed in the ambulance with her as her brothers and sisters kissed her goodbye. In a cloud of dust, the ambulance ed the killer, as he walked between two mounted police tied to each saddle. He was perspiring and covered with dust. She underwent surgery without anesthesia, but her injuries were beyond the doctors' help. She was in extreme pain but she uttered no sound during the two hours of surgery. Halfway throughout the surgery, Maria woke up. She insisted that it stay that way. The pharmacist of the hospital in which she died said to her, "Maria, think of me in Paradise." She looked to the old man: "Well, who knows, which of us is going to be there first?" "You, Maria," he replied. "Then I will gladly think of you," said Maria. The following day, twenty hours after the attack, she was asked if she forgave her murderer and she replied, "Yes, for the love of Jesus I forgive him...and I want him to be with me in Paradise." Maria died of her injuries, while looking at a very beautiful picture of the Blessed Mother on July 6, 1902, the Feast of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus.

12

5

Serenelli's imprisonment and repentance Originally, Alessandro Serenelli was going to be sentenced to life, but since he was a minor at that time, the sentence was commuted to 30 years in prison. Later, a priest cam to see him. He turned on the cleric in a rage. "Soon, Alessandro, you will want me," the priest said. "Maria will see to that." "Never", the prisoner screamed, "I'll never want you, never!". In the years which followed, he was known as a hardened criminal with no regrets for the terrible murder he had committed. One night in the year 1910, Alessandro was asleep. Suddenly, he heard soft music and detected a wonderful aroma of flowers. A bright light shone in his eyes. "Maria," he cried, in a frightened voice. He saw a garden. where a young girl, dressed in white, was gathering lilies. She smiled, and came near him, and encouraged him to accept an armful of the lilies. As he accepted them, each lily transformed into a still white flame. Maria then disappeared. He realized later that the burning sensation of the flowers was a sign to him that the prayers of Maria would enable him to accept the Divine Mercy of Jesus, and to reject sin and its consequences of punish-

ment in the everlasting fires of hell. "I saw her" he cried. "Bring the priest!" The jailers laughed at him. "If you have anything to say then write to the priest", they answered callously. Alessandro wrote a complete confession asking God's pardon. After his release, Alessandro Serenelli visited Maria's still-living mother, Assunta, and begged her forgiveness. She forgave him, saying that if Maria had forgiven him on her deathbed then she couldn't do less, and they attended Mass together the next day, receiving Holy Communion side by side. Alessandro reportedly prayed every day to Maria Goretti and referred to her as "my little saint." Serenelli later became a lay brother of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, living in a monastery and working as its receptionist and gardener, until dying peacefully in the year 1970.

Beatification and canonization On the evening of the beatification ceremonies in the Basilica of Saint Peter, 27 April 1947, Pope Pius XII walked over to Assunta. She almost fainted. "When I saw the Pope coming, I prayed, Madonna, please help me. He put his hand on my head and said, blessed mother, happy mother, mother of a Blessed!" They both had eyes wet with tears. Three years later, on 24 June 1950, Pius XII canonized Goretti as a saint, the "Saint Agnes of the 20th century." Assunta was again present at the ceremony, along with her four remaining sons and daughters. She was the first mother ever to attend the canonization ceremony of her child. Alessandro Serenelli was also present at the canonization. Owing to the huge crowd present, the ceremonies associated with the canonization were held outside of St Peter's Basilica, in the Piazza San Pietro. Pius XII spoke, not as before in Latin, but in Italian. "We order and declare, that the Blessed Maria Goretti can be venerated as a Saint and We introduce her into the Canon of Saints." Some 500,000 people, among them a majority of youth, had come from around the World. Pius asked them: "Young people, pleasure of the eyes of Jesus, are you determined to resist any attack on your chastity with the help of grace of God?" A resounding "yes" was the answer. Her body is incorrupt and kept in the crypt of the Basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie e Santa Maria Goretti in Nettuno, south of Rome. 6

DAY FOUR (July 1) In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen Dear Little Saint! Your days were spent in the filth of the marshes, willingly helping your desperately poor parents and family. Obtain for me the grace to accept my present circumstances in life, no matter how difficult or humiliating they may be. "Just one little drop of water" as the only request that fell from your parched lips during those last horrible hours of life. How much I demand, how unhappy I am when I cannot have my share of the world's conveniences and gaudy attractions! Teach me by your heroic example to be content with what I have, to be grateful for the blessings God has already showered upon me. Amen. DAY FIVE (July 2) In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen Dear Little Saint, I depend a great deal upon the help of my friends in time of trouble or sorrow. I look for their approval in many things I do. I am disconsolate and lonely when they desert me. Through your powerful intercession in Heaven, obtain for me the grace to place all my confidence in God. Only by walking constantly in His presence and depending upon His help, will I have the courage to stand up for His laws, even though it may mean loss of friends, criticism and complete removal of worldly comfort. Help me to look for all of my strength in Him. Amen. DAY SIX (July 3) In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen Dear Little Saint! Help me to greater love of my Faith. I have many God-given opportunities to study it but, sad to say, I neglect them. I am even critical of the Priests, Brothers and Sisters who offer their lives that I may better know and love my holy religion. Dear Saint Mary Goretti, teach me to be thankful for these grace which you did not have. Make me proud of my Faith and ready to die for it, if God should require that of me Amen.

11

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, (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 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 Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The pleasures of the world create many temptations for me. I turn to your powerful intercession in Heaven, so that with this help I may remain ever loyal to God, no matter what the price. In danger inspire me to repeat with you, "No, it is a sin!" Amen. DAY TWO (June 30) In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Dear Saint Maria Goretti, model of loving obedience to parents, 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 this authority as the Voice of God in my life. Help them to direct me aright and enable me to obey their every wish. Amen. DAY THREE (June 31) In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Dear Little Saint Maria! You were ready for the moment of martyrdom because your short life was given over to daily and heroic selfdenial. Your great love of the Sacred Hearts made all this possible. Teach me to love Jesus and His Blessed Mother, so that I too will be inspired to daily self-denial. I am inclined to pamper myself, to gratify my senses, and to excuse myself from all penance. This keeps me from being a true follower of Christ. Help me, lovable Little Martyr, to a sincere practice of self- denial, so that I may be your worthy follower and thus gain Heaven for all Eternity. Amen. 10

St. Maria Goretti’s incorrupt body lying in a glass case

Feast day Goretti's feast day, celebrated on 6 July, was inserted in the Roman Catholic calendar of saints for the first time when it was revised in 1969. Maria is the patron saint of chastity, rape victims, youth, teenage girls, poverty, purity and forgiveness.

In art Goretti is represented in art as a wavy-haired young girl in farmer clothes or a white dress, with a bouquet of lilies in her hands, and she is sometimes counted among the ranks of the ionist order since her spiritual formation was guided by the ionists.

Movies The life of St. Maria Goretti has been portrayed several times in film. The most recent is a movie, “Maria Goretti,” released in 2003 which was directed by Giulio Base and featured Martina Pinto in the role of the saint.

Alessandro Serenelli Maria Goretti's heroic story of love and forgiveness would not be complete without one of its first miraculous fruits: the conversion of Alessandro Serenelli, Maria's murderer. Immediately after his brutal assault on young Maria Goretti, Alessandro was imprisoned temporarily in Nettuno and then transferred to Regina Coeli prison in Rome to stand trial. After vehemently denying his guilt, he finally broke down in the face of overwhelming testimony. Since he was a minor, he was sentenced to only thirty years hard labor. 7

A priest came to see him soon afterward, and he turned on the cleric in rage, howling like a maniac and lunging at him. In the days which followed, Alessandro lost his appetite and grew nervous. After six years of prison, he was near the brink of despair. Then one night, Maria appeared to him in his cell. She smiled at Alessandro and was surrounded by lilies, the flower symbolic of purity. From that moment, peace invaded Alessandro's heart, and he began to live a constructive life. After serving his sentence, Alessandro took up residence at a Capuchin monastery, working in the garden as a tertiary. He asked pardon of Maria's mother and accompanied her to Christmas Mass in the parish church where he spoke before the hushed congregation, acknowledging his sin and asking God's forgiveness and the pardon of the community. Forty years later, on June 24, 1950, Maria was canonized at St. Peter's basilica in Rome, with Alessandro's heart now firmly converted to the Lord. A miraculous fruit of Maria's life, indeed! Alessandro Serenelli died on May 6th, 1970 in the Capuchin convent of Macerata. He left the following testimony, dated May 5, 1961, as his spiritual legacy: "I'm nearly 80 years old. I'm about to depart. "Looking back at my past, I can see that in my early youth, I chose a bad path which led me to ruin myself. "My behavior was influenced by print, mass-media and bad examples which are followed by the majority of young people without even thinking. And I did the same. I was not worried. "There were a lot of generous and devoted people who surrounded me, but I paid no attention to them because a violent force blinded me and pushed me toward a wrong way of life. "When I was 20 years-old, I committed a crime of ion. Now, that memory represents something horrible for me. Maria Goretti, now a Saint, was my good Angel, sent to me through Providence to guide and save me. I still have impressed upon my heart her words of rebuke and of pardon. She prayed for me, she interceded for her murderer. Thirty years of prison followed. "If I had been of age, I would have spent all my life in prison. I accepted to be condemned because it was my own fault. 8

"Little Maria was really my light, my protectress; with her help, I behaved well during the 27 years of prison and tried to live honestly when I was again accepted among the of society. The Brothers of St. Francis, Capuchins from Marche, welcomed me with angelic charity into their monastery as a brother, not as a servant. I've been living with their community for 24 years, and now I am serenely waiting to witness the vision of God, to hug my loved ones again, and to be next to my Guardian Angel and her dear mother, Assunta. "I hope this letter that I wrote can teach others the happy lesson of avoiding evil and of always following the right path, like little children. I feel that religion with its precepts is not something we can live without, but rather it is the real comfort, the real strength in life and the only safe way in every circumstance, even the most painful ones of life." Signature, Alessandro Serenelli

Epilogue 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 simplicity, her great faith and love for God made her truly extraordinary. Her life and legacy lives on. Love's bravest choice is simply this: Choose God over sin and eternal joy over eternal damnation. Choose life! Choose to be a saint! Many recorded miracles, both spiritual and physical, have been worked through St. Maria Goretti's intercession. Worldwide, there are many places of devotion to St. Maria Goretti, such as the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Graces and St. Maria Goretti in Nettuno, Italy.

Prayers to St. Maria Goretti St. Maria Goretti Novena Prayer 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 9