What an honor I have today to share my wedding anniversary on the Feast Day of Maria Goretti. Yes, EVERY YEAR you will hear about this because it shows the amazing AWESOMENESS of God! I love that I’m the ‘spokesperson’ for the Maria Goretti Network and my very marriage that has survived only by God’s grace is celebrated on her feast day! And this year I have her 1st class relic to bless us as well! 🙂
I pray you all enjoy this day and below is more information on Mara Goretti and a prayer.
St. Maria Goretti
Virgin and martyr, who passed a harsh childhood helping her mother with household matters and praying diligently, and, at the age of twelve, was killed defending her chastity against an aggressor near Nettuno in Lazio, Italy, pierced by the stabs of a dagger.
As she lay in the hospital, she forgave Alexander before she died. Her death didn’t end her forgivness, however.
Alexander was captured and sentenced to thirty years. He was unrepentant until he had a dream that he was in a garden. Maria was there and gave him flowers. When he woke, he was a changed man, repenting of his crime and living a reformed life. When he was released after 27 years he went directly to Maria’s mother to beg her forgiveness, which she gave. “If my daughter can forgive him, who am I to withold forgiveness,” she said.
When Maria was declared a saint in 1950, Alexander was there in the St. Peter’s crowd to celebrate her canonization. She was canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1950 for her purity as model for youth.
She is called a martyr because she fought against Alexander’s attempts at sexual assault. However, the most important aspect of her story is her forgiveness of her attacker — her concern for her enemy extending even beyond death. Her feast day is July 6. St. Maria Goretti is the patroness of youth and for the victims of rape.
(Above taken from Catholic.org)
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.
(as given by Mariagoretti.org)
Maria Goretti pray for us!
Blessings
Shannon