Legacy of Forgiveness

Saint Maria Goretti is one of the youngest Saints in the world, who was canonized at the age of 11 by Pope Pius XII. She is the patron saint of young girls, forgiveness, purity and chastity.

The gospel according to Mark 11: 25 says, “whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so your father in heaven may forgive you.” This verse shows us that if we forgive others, our spiritual relationship with God would become stronger.

Just like Saint Maria Goretti, we should forgive those who do awful things to us. Maria Goretti was a very pretty, young girl. Alessandro Serenelli her neighbour was attracted by Maria’s beauty and constantly disturbed and tried to spoil her. Maria was very scared of his behaviour and always prayed to God saying, “take me, Jesus, I offer myself to you.” One day Maria was alone at home Alessandro tried to ruin her purity. She screamed and disagreed to do the sin.   Alessandro couldn’t tolerate her argument and finally tried to kill her by stabbing her fourteen times. Later Maria was taken to the hospital and died within 24 hours. Before she died, she prayed and forgave her attacker. Alessandro was sentenced 30 years in prison. One day he dreamt that Maria visited him in prison and offered flowers as a sign of love, compassion and forgiveness. Her most famous words were, “I forgive Alessandro Serenelli and I want you with me in Heaven.”

Maria Goretti did not receive any school education in her childhood; however, she grew up with good catholic faith. Nuns and priests fulfilled her wish and she was able to learn about the Eucharist and received Holy Communion at a very young age. The perfect fruit for a Catholic home is family prayers. Her faith was simple, and she adopted it from her parents. She had a great love for Jesus in the Eucharist. Since her death, she had been the instrument of numerous cures and miracles, including the “conversion of her murderer”.  She offers children and young people a refuge, protection, a serene spirit and the deep joy of the pure of heart.

The life of Saint Maria Goretti teaches that forgiveness is important in everybody’s life. Day by day this modern world is going through so many unpredictable situations. People, communities, families, countries and rulers are fighting each other for small and big things. No one is willing to forgive each other and that causes more grief and pain in the world. We need to start forgiving each us so that we can live in peace and happiness. The biggest example of forgiveness shown by Jesus was when he forgave those who crucified Him on the cross by saying, “Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing (Luke 22:34). We should follow Jesus and the Saints footsteps and should continue to do little deeds in life to inherit God’s love and get one step closer to God.