Early Life and Background

Maria Teresa Goretti was born on October 16, 1890, in Corinaldo, a small hill town in the Province of Ancona, Marche, Italy. She was the third of six children born to Luigi Goretti and Assunta Carlini, a humble and hardworking peasant family. The Gorettis lived a modest life, sustained by agricultural labor and by their deep faith in God.

In 1899, the family relocated to the rural village of Le Ferriere di Conca, near Nettuno, south of Rome, in search of better economic opportunities. Together with another family, the Serenellis, the Gorettis shared a farmhouse and toiled in the fields. Luigi, Maria’s father, contracted malaria and died in 1900, leaving Assunta and the children in dire poverty.

From a young age, Maria took on responsibilities well beyond her years, caring for her siblings, helping her mother, and tending to household chores. Neighbors and acquaintances noted her gentle spirit, devout piety, and earnestness in prayer. Despite economic hardship, Maria's faith remained unshaken, and she was known for her daily attendance at Mass and her frequent recitation of the Rosary.

The Martyrdom of Maria Goretti

The defining tragedy of Maria Goretti’s life occurred on July 5, 1902. Alessandro Serenelli, the 20-year-old son of the family with whom the Gorettis lived, had made previous inappropriate advances towards the 11-year-old Maria. On that fateful day, while Maria was mending clothes inside the house and her mother and siblings were working in the fields, Alessandro assaulted her and stabbed her many times.

Legacy and Canonization

In the aftermath of this tragedy, Maria Goretti’s unwavering commitment to her faith and her remarkable act of forgiveness toward her attacker became central to her legacy. From her hospital bed, she forgave Alessandro Serenelli, expressing her deep hope that he would join her in heaven. Maria succumbed to her injuries on July 6, 1902, at the age of 11, surrounded by her grieving family.

Her forgiveness left an indelible mark, not only on Alessandro—who later repented, found faith, and lived a life of penance—but also on countless people who heard her story. Devotion to Maria grew rapidly, and many miracles were attributed to her intercession.The process for her canonization began in earnest, with her mother, Assunta, alive to witness the Church's recognition of her daughter’s sanctity. Maria Goretti was beatified by Pope Pius XII on April 27, 1947, and canonized as a saint on June 24, 1950, in St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome. The ceremony was attended by her mother and by Alessandro, who had sought forgiveness and reconciliation.

Saint Maria model of Purity Pray for us!