Annessa Donato

Mr. Campbell

December 15th 2017

Religion II

Saint Maria Goretti

When it comes to saints few people know who they are, where they came from, or what they

even stand for. The saint I picked, St. Maria Goretti was born on October 16th, 1890 in

Corinaldo, in the Ancona Providence in Italy. Her father, a farmworker, and her mother a

housewife did not have much money but did their best to make their children happy. Her father

died of Malaria, and her mother struggled to feed her children. Maria’s siblings took over their

fathers work while Maria cooked, cleaned, and kept the house clean. Though her family’s

circumstances were extremely difficult, they were very close and loved God very much. Maria

and her family prayed to God daily and offered everything to him.

What makes Maria so interesting is her back story. Her story started on July 5th, 1902 when she

was sewing her neighbor Alessandro’s shirt while he threw beans into her yard. Not expecting

anything strange to happen Maria was taken by surprise when Alessandro grabbed her and took

her away from her house. Alessandro tried to rape Maria and Maria being the devout catholic she

is cried and said that rape was a mortal sin and warned Alessandro that he would go to hell for

his actions. Alessandro was persistent and began to choke Maria and she said she would rather

die than submit so Alessandro pulled out a knife and started to stab Maria. Alessandro in total

stabbed Maria approximately 14 times. Maria’s family came home and found her covered in

blood and took her to the local hospital where she underwent surgery, but the surgery could do

nothing about her scars. The day after her surgery Maria forgave Alessandro and said she wanted
to see him in heaven with her. She died later that day to the face of the Virgin Mary. Maria was

beatified by Pope Pius XII in a ceremony at St. Peter’s basilica on April 27th, 1947. Three years

later June 24th, 1950 Maria was declared a saint and Alessandro was present during her

canonization. Saint Maria is also called a martyr because she fought against Alessandro’s

attacks. If you want to pay respect to her you can find her body at the Basilica of Nostra Signora

delle Graize in Nettuno, Italy. Saint Maria in my opinion is one of the bravest and most selfless

saints we have. After being stabbed to death she forgave her killer and stayed loyal to God. St.

Maria Goretti is the Patron saint of youth, young woman, purity, and victims of rape. Saint Maria

Goretti is a saint I look up to. I personally think all young woman should look up to her because

she sets a great example on how young woman should act. Everyone should also admire her

great bravery and selflessness.

Below I wrote a poem dedicated to Saint Maria Goretti and her amazing actions. I hope that

young woman and everyone will be inspired by her work and actions like I am.

Poem to Saint Maria Goretti:

Dear Saint Maria Goretti, let all young woman look up to you and honor you with great

respect.Whenever in time of pressuring and sorrow let us pray to you Saint Maria Goretti. You
are beautiful young brave and selfless and we should all strive to be like you. The way you

forgave Alessandro let us try to be that selfless and a great follower of Christ like you.

We all honor and love you Saint Maria Goretti.

Sources: Online, Catholic. “Patron Saints: A - Saints & Angels Catholic Online, Catholic Online,

www.catholic.org/saints/patron.php?letter=A.

Biggest and Best List of Confirmation Saints (for Guys and Girls).” LifeTeen.com for Catholic Youth,

7 Apr. 2015, lifeteen.com/blog/biggest-best-list-confirmation-saints-guys-girls/.

“NEW ADVENT: Home.” NEW ADVENT: Home, www.newadvent.org/.

“Maria Goretti.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation13 Dec. 2017, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Goretti.