Memorial of Maria Goretti celebrated in Spearfish

A martyr of the faith at only 12 years of age, Maria Goretti chose to die rather than give in to the sexual advances of a violent young man, her neighbor, Alessandro. Faced with his repeated attempts, she always firmly refused, wanting to remain pure. Eventually, blinded by passion, the young man fatally attacked her. But before dying, Maria forgave him and said she wished to have him with her in heaven. Alessandro was arrested and sentenced to 30 years in prison, of which he served 27. In 1910, he underwent a conversion, and in 1928, once released, he asked Maria’s mother, Assunta, for forgiveness — which she granted, welcoming him as a son.Pope Pius XII beatified Maria on April 27, 1947, and canonized her on June 24, 1950, in a ceremony attended by her mother Assunta.

The remains of little Saint Maria Goretti now rest in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Graces in Nettuno, south of Rome.