MEMORIAL: JULY 6
St. Maria Goretti lived at the end of the 19th century in Italy. She lived in a poor family who were devoted Catholics. As a nearly twelve-year girl, an eighteen-year-old male neighbor pulled her into a bedroom and tried to rape Maria. When she successfully resisted him, he stabbed her fourteen times and fled. Maria was able to survive for twenty-four hours and in that time, she forgave her killer and expressed her wish for him to be in heaven.
Her killer was caught and was sentenced to thirty years in prison. When he was released, he had repented of his sin through praying to Maria who brought him the forgiveness of Christ. Maria was canonized not long after this in the presence of her family and even her killer who cried tears of joy. Maria is the patron saint of rape victims.
