A portrait of St. Maria Goretti
St. Maria Goretti
1890 – 1902
Feast
July 6 · XX c.
Patron of
Youth · Purity · Rape victims · Forgiveness · Teenage girls
Order
Laywoman / Virgin / Martyr
Italian peasant girl (1890-1902), of Corinaldo, killed at age 11 at Le Ferriere in the Pontine marshes by 19-year-old Alessandro Serenelli when she resisted his sexual assault; before dying she forgave him and prayed for him. Serenelli later converted in prison after a vision of her, attended her canonization, and lived as a Capuchin oblate. Canonized 1950 by Pius XII.
Life & Times
Born: 1890 · Died: 1902 · From: Italy.
Patronage
St. Maria Goretti is invoked as the patron of youth, purity, rape victims, forgiveness, teenage girls. Those in these callings or circumstances often turn to this saint in prayer.
“I forgive him with all my heart, and I want him to be with me in heaven.”— Recorded by Sr. Teresa, the hospital sister attending her, on her deathbed, July 6, 1902
Shop St. Maria Goretti Products
Devotional items honoring St. Maria Goretti, from our Sancta Lumina collection and beyond.
St. Maria Goretti Tiny Saint Charm
$5.99
Sterling Silver St. Maria Goretti Medal | Medium | Engravable
$62.00
Gold-Filled St. Maria Goretti Pendant
$114.00
25-Pack - Pendant- St Maria Goretti
$25.00
St Maria Goretti Prayer Card Set
$14.99
100-Pack - St Maria Goretti Holy Card
$56.00
Sterling Silver St. Maria Goretti Medal | Medium | Engravable
$64.00
100-Pack - St. Maria Goretti Holy Card
$47.00
About Catholic Saints
Catholic saints, including St. Maria Goretti, are Christians whom the Catholic Church has formally recognized as having lived lifes of heroic holiness and who now dwell with God in heaven, offering an example of faith for those still on their earthly journey. Catholics don't worship saints, but ask them to pray to God with us and for us — much as one might ask a trusted friend to pray for them — trusting that those closest to God can join their voices to ours before Him. Discover more saints in the Catholic Shop Saints section.