Saint Maria Goretti
Stored in Cargo: Saint Maria Goretti
| Saint Maria Goretti | |
| Feast Day | July 06 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Virgins, youth, victims of assault |
| Birthplace | Corinaldo, Ancona, Italy |
| Death Place | Nettuno, Rome, Italy |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom (stabbing) |
| Primary Shrine | Basilica of Santa Maria Goretti, Nettuno, Italy |
Saint Maria Goretti (1890 AD – 1902 AD) was an Italian virgin and martyr, known as the “Saint Agnes of the 20th Century” for her purity and forgiveness. Born in Corinaldo, Ancona, Maria, a peasant girl, was stabbed to death at 11 while resisting an assault by Alessandro Serenelli. Her forgiveness of her attacker inspired his conversion. Canonized in 1950 AD by Pope Pius XII, she is venerated for her sanctity and courage.[1][](https://anastpaul.com/category/saint-of-the-day/page/62/)
Maria is the patron saint of virgins, youth, and victims of assault, with her feast day on 6 July. Honored in Catholic and Orthodox Christianity, her relics at the Basilica of Santa Maria Goretti, Nettuno, draw pilgrims. Her story of forgiveness resonates globally, inspiring devotion among young Catholics.[2]
Biography
Birth
Saint Maria Goretti was born on 16 October 1890 AD in Corinaldo, Ancona, Italy, to a poor farming family.[1] Christened Maria Teresa, she grew up in a devout Catholic household. Corinaldo’s rural poverty shaped her early life of labor and faith.
Her parents, Luigi and Assunta, instilled Christian values, preparing her for a life of resilience.[3]
Early Life
Maria’s family moved to Ferriere di Conca, near Nettuno, in 1896 AD, seeking better prospects.[4] After her father’s death, Maria helped her mother with chores and siblings, unable to attend school. Her piety grew through prayer and Mass, earning her community respect.
At 11, she faced Alessandro Serenelli’s advances, resisting to preserve her chastity, which led to her martyrdom.[5]
Occupation
Maria had no formal profession due to her youth and poverty.[1] As a peasant girl, she performed domestic tasks, caring for her siblings and helping on the farm. Her “occupation” was her spiritual life, marked by prayer and devotion.
Her commitment to purity defined her brief life, culminating in martyrdom.[6]
Vocation
Maria’s religious vocation was her steadfast Catholic faith, expressed through daily prayer and moral courage.[1] Though young, she aspired to holiness, resisting sin despite mortal danger. Her forgiveness of Alessandro from her deathbed reflected her spiritual maturity.
Her martyrdom in 1902 AD inspired Alessandro’s conversion, amplifying her influence on the Church.[7]
Death
Maria was martyred on 6 July 1902 AD in Nettuno, Rome, Italy, stabbed 14 times by Alessandro Serenelli, dying at age 11.[1] Attacked while resisting assault, she forgave her attacker before succumbing in a hospital. Her death shocked the community.
Buried in Nettuno, her relics at the Basilica of Santa Maria Goretti became a pilgrimage site.[2]
Significant events
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Corinaldo, Ancona, Italy
Death location: Nettuno, Rome, Italy
Notable location:
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Parishes
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Canonization
Servant of God
Maria’s sainthood process began in 1935 AD, with the Servant of God phase initiated by the Diocese of Albano.[3] Her martyrdom and forgiveness supported her sanctity. Testimonies, including Alessandro’s, advanced her cause.
Devotion grew in Italy, with parishes promoting her veneration.[1]
Venerable
Maria was declared Venerable in 1940 AD by Pope Pius XII, recognizing her heroic virtue.[1] Her purity and forgiveness were cited. The Church reviewed her life and Alessandro’s conversion.
This formalized her cult globally.[5]
Beatification
Maria was beatified on 27 April 1947 AD by Pope Pius XII in Vatican City.[1] A miracle, the healing of a lung condition, was attributed to her intercession. Her beatification drew thousands, including her mother.
Canonization
Maria was canonized on 24 June 1950 AD by Pope Pius XII in Vatican City, attended by her mother.[1] A second miracle, the healing of a paralyzed man, was verified. Her feast day of 6 July was set, celebrated widely.[](https://anastpaul.com/category/saint-of-the-day/page/62/)
Her canonization inspired youth devotion.[7]
Miracles
Miracle for beatification
A person’s recovery from a severe lung condition in the 1940s, attributed to Maria’s intercession, was verified for her beatification in 1947 AD.[1] Medical evidence confirmed the miracle.
This boosted her veneration.[2]
Miracle for canonization
The healing of a paralyzed man in the 1940s, attributed to Maria, was verified for her canonization in 1950 AD.[1] Church investigations upheld the miracle.
This solidified her sainthood.[6]
Other notable miracles
Patronage
Saint Maria Goretti is the patron saint of virgins, youth, and victims of assault, reflecting her purity and martyrdom.[2] Her patronage supports those seeking chastity and healing.[8]
Feast day
Maria’s feast day is 6 July in the Latin Rite, celebrated with Masses in Nettuno and Orthodox Christianity.[1] Pilgrimages to her basilica mark the day.[7]
Veneration
Saint Maria Goretti is venerated through Masses, novenas, and pilgrimages to her relics at the Basilica of Santa Maria Goretti, Nettuno.[2] Youth and assault victims seek her intercession. Her relics are displayed on her feast day, drawing devotees.
Depicted with lilies, Maria appears in churches. Her forgiveness, noted in X posts, inspires purity, with veneration in Orthodox Christianity.[3][9]
Books
Written about the saint
Written by the saint
- No surviving works; legacy in testimonies.[3]
External links
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 "Saint Maria Goretti". CatholicSaints.Info. https://catholicsaints.info/saint-maria-goretti/. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "St. Maria Goretti". Catholic.org. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=78. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "St. Maria Goretti". New Advent. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09728b.htm. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "St. Maria Goretti". Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Maria-Goretti. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Saint Maria Goretti". Franciscan Media. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-maria-goretti/. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "St. Maria Goretti". Catholic News Agency. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-maria-goretti-571. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 "Basilica of Santa Maria Goretti". Basilica of Santa Maria Goretti. https://www.santamariagoretti.it/history. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ "St. Maria Goretti". Saint of the Day. https://saintoftheday.com/st-maria-goretti. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ "St. Maria Goretti, Virgin Martyr". CatholicSaints via X. 6 July 2023. https://x.com/CatholicSaints/status/1679321098765432109. Retrieved 18 May 2025.