Maria Goretti was born in 1890 to a poor farming family in Corinaldo, Italy, and died in 1902 at just eleven years old, after being attacked by a young man named Alessandro Serenelli when she resisted his assault. Before she died of her wounds, she forgave her attacker, saying she wanted him to be with her in heaven. She was canonized in 1950, with her mother present — and Alessandro, who had repented in prison, lived to see her declared a saint.
Maria shows that even a child can carry a heart big enough to forgive what seems unforgivable, and that purity of heart is really about loving God above everything. Her forgiveness changed her attacker's life completely, reminding us that mercy given freely can heal what punishment never could. She is a patron of children and of forgiveness, close to every young soul taken from this world too soon.
Saint Maria Goretti, young friend of Jesus who forgave with your whole heart, pray for us and for all children in heaven, that we may love purely and forgive freely. Amen.