{"id":"st-maria-goretti","name":"St. Maria Goretti","title":"Virgin Martyr of Purity","knownFor":"Child Martyr Who Forgave Her Murderer","feastDay":"July 6","lifespan":"1890-1902","patronOf":"Chastity, Young People, Victims of Rape, Children","shortBio":"An 11-year-old Italian girl who chose death rather than submit to sexual assault. Her forgiveness of her attacker and concern for his soul led to his conversion and her canonization as a martyr for purity.","fullBio":"Born in Corinaldo, Italy, to poor tenant farmers Luigi and Assunta Goretti, Maria was one of six children. After her father died of malaria when she was nine, she took over household duties while her mother worked in the fields.\n\nThe Gorettis shared a house with the Serenelli family. Alessandro Serenelli, 20, became obsessed with Maria and made sexual advances which she rejected. On July 5, 1902, while alone sewing, Alessandro attempted to rape her.\n\nMaria fought fiercely, crying \"No! It is a sin! God does not want it! You would go to hell!\" Enraged, Alessandro stabbed her 14 times. Found bleeding, she was rushed to the hospital where she survived for 20 hours in agony.\n\nBefore dying, Maria forgave Alessandro completely, saying she wanted him in Paradise with her. She died on July 6, holding a crucifix and medal of Our Lady.\n\nAlessandro was sentenced to 30 years in prison. After eight years, Maria appeared to him in a dream, offering him 14 white lilies. This vision converted him completely. Released after 27 years, his first act was to beg forgiveness from Maria's mother, who granted it.\n\nAlessandro became a Capuchin lay brother, living in penance. He attended Maria's canonization in 1950, where her mother was also present - the only time a parent attended their child's canonization. Maria's forgiveness had saved his soul.","miracles":["Appeared to Alessandro in prison, leading to his conversion","Her forgiveness transformed her murderer into a penitent religious","Numerous miraculous healings through her intercession","Her story has prevented countless sins against purity","Protection of young people in danger through her intercession","Her mother lived to attend her canonization - unique in Church history"],"imageUrl":"https://page.gensparksite.com/v1/base64_upload/dac33c0779dd71d8bae17d36b6b22316","imageAttribution":"St. Maria Goretti by Unknown (20th Century). N/A (Mass-produced devotional print). Print","orderByDate":1902}