Maria Goretti, Virgin and Martyr

Maria’s father died when she was young, and her poor mother worked very hard to support their family. After she was attacked and brutally stabbed by a young neighbor who wanted to rape her, she allowed her faith to continue to govern her life. She forgave him for his crime. Her forgiveness brought him to repentance and it changed his life. Today Maria Goretti is honored for resisting his sexual advances, but mainly for allowing her faith to lead her to generous and complete forgiveness.