Maria was born to a poor farming family in Italy, one of six children. Her father died when she was only 9 years old. After his death, Maria had to taking care of the rest of the children in the family while her mother worked. Maria also cooked and cleaned for their neighbors. Alessandro, her attacker, was her neighbor's son.
In spite of having to take care of the children, cook and clean for her family and neighbors, it's said that she did so joyfully and with faith that God would provide.
Today we pray that St. Maria will intercede for us to have faithful, holy lives.
St. Maria Goretti Novena Prayers - Day 6
St. Maria Goretti, beautiful model of living a holy, everyday life, pray for us. We often feel as though our efforts must be extraordinary if we are to be a saint, but you show us another way. You show that we can achieve sainthood by loving our Lord completely, and serving others before ourselves. Please pray that we are selfless as you were so that in denying our own desires, we fulfill our Lord’s will.
O God, author of innocence and chastity, who bestowed the grace of martyrdom on your handmaid, the Virgin Saint 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, who reigns with you, and with the Holy Spirit, one God for ever. Amen.
