Maria Goretti

"(In the hospital, before dying, while forgiving his murderer) I want him with me in Heaven."

"Maria was also greatly admired for her humble origins, which she redeemed with the strength with which she defended her dignity as a human being and daughter of God. Her cult therefore had social significance, as Palmiro Togliatti understood when he cited her as an example to young communists in a speech in the 1950s."

"A small and gentle martyr of purity."

"Maria Goretti's life was indeed a struggle, but its end was both magnificent and dramatic. She was so weak—how could a twelve-year-old child defend herself against brutal violence? How could she not yield to the villain who attacked and overwhelmed her? On one side stood spiritual strength, and on the other, physical strength. Spiritual courage and physical strength began to fight each other. When you look at this scene, you might say that strength won. However, when we look more closely, we must conclude that spiritual courage triumphed. Thus, the weakness of this girl overcame the strength of the criminal. Violence was stopped and defeated by a defenseless, weak, simple, modest child who had nothing else to oppose it but her clear conscience and desire to preserve Christian ideals. Maria Goretti won."

"Maria Goretti followed in the footsteps of the young martyrs of early Christianity who gave their lives to defend their purity. (...) Keep the testimony of Saint Maria Goretti constantly before your eyes. As a model of martyrdom, little Maria, after bringing her murderer to the path of Christian virtue, continues to help all those who are ready to accept the Gospel with its strict but liberating moral demands. In particular, she encourages you, dear children and young people. Little Maria offers new strength to all who, in the struggle, turn against evil and direct themselves toward goodness, trust, and longing for Christ."