The Novena to St. Maria Goretti Begins June 27th

Saint Maria Goretti is the Church's youngest canonized saint. She was born near Ancona, Italy into a poor peasant family. Known for her cheerfulness and piety, Maria attended Mass often and loved God completely. She was also beautiful. At age 11, she was assaulted by her neighbor's son. Marie chose to die rather than lose her virginity.

Enraged by her refusal, Maria's attacker stabbed her nine times. Before dying, she forgave her assailant. Her mother was present at her canonization in 1950, the first time a parent witnessed their child's canonization. Over one half million souls attended St. Maria's canonization Mass, the largest of any canonization up to that time.

St. Maria Goretti is patron: Against impoverishment; against poverty; children; children of Mary; girls; loss of parents; martyrs; rape victims; young people in general.

Novena  to St. Maria Goretti, Virgin and Martyr

The Novena to St. Maria Goretti Begins June 27th in anticipation of her feast day July 6th. To pray this novena and receive daily email reminders delivered to your inbox, go here.

St. Maria Goretti, patron of victims of rape, please pray for all those who have been sexually assaulted. Please pray for their healing, for comfort, and for peace for them. Please pray that we, as a society, may be able to better protect those who are victimized. Please pray for justice for their attackers, but most of all, for their contrition and conversion.

O God, author of innocence and lover of chastity, who bestowed the grace of martyrdom on your handmaid, the Virgin St. Maria Goretti, in her youth, grant, we pray, through her intercession, that, as you gave her a crown for her steadfastness, so we, too, may be firm in obeying your commandments. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.