St. Maria Goretti
(Fr. Godfrey Poage, C.P.)
We come across incidents of rape very often in newspapers and this is not new in our century, as testified by the story of twelve-year-old Maria Goretti. Maria Goretti was a modest, reserved and religious girl. Though, poverty and distance kept her from school she yearned to learn. She would hurry up with her work and household tasks and rush to attend the catechism classes, which were far away. In order to receive her Eucharistic Lord she did not hesitate to travel long dusty road during summer in the scorching sun. Her desire was fidelity to Christ at any price, even if it meant her life. Maria?s family was into farming. It was harvest time and they were urgently in need of a helping hand. Giovanni Serenelli and his son, Alexander were employed and the terms proposed were sharing of work and profits equally. In return, Goretti and family would provide them with lodging and all the meals. As days passed by Alexander developed interest in Maria. He began to show evil tendencies and sensing it Maria often avoided him. This angered Alexander all the more. As last resort, he threatened to kill her with a knife if she did not give in to him. She had to choose between life and death, heaven or hell, sin or martyrdom. Her decision was firmly made and she said No, to Alexander. Out of anger and frustration, Alexander stabbed the knife into her breast and abdomen fourteen times in all. It was July 2, 1902 and Maria succumbed to injuries inflicted on her. She is an ideal and brave teenager in whom the modern youth finds courage and inspiration to face the challenges of modern day living.
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