Today is the Feast of St. Maria Gretti, a martyr for chastity.

This meditation and the conversation which follows contains mature content.

Welcome to our daily rosary meditation.

Let's begin in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Let's call to mind all those we've promised to pray for.

Today is the Feast of St. Maria Goretty. Born in 1890, her father died from malaria when she was just

nine years old. On July 5th, 1902, 11-year-old Maria was sitting on the outside steps of her home, sewing, and watching

her younger sister, while her mother worked in the nearby fields. At the same time, 20-year-old

Alessandro Serenelli was threshing beans in the barnyard nearby. Knowing she would be alone, he returned to the

house and made sexual advances toward Maria, which she rejected. Alessandro threatened to stab her if she

did not give in to his desire, but she would not, protesting that what he wanted to do was a mortal

sin and warning him that he would go to hell. She fought desperately and kept screaming,

no, it is a sin. God does not want it. Ben Alessandro stabbed her 14 times before running away.

Alerted by the noise, her mother rushed from the field and Fa Maria bleeding and took her to the

nearest hospital, but her injuries were beyond the doctor's help.

The following day, 24 hours after the attack, having expressed forgiveness

for Alessandro and stating that she wanted to have him in heaven with her, she died of her

injuries. This young woman, not yet 12 years old, had great power, the power to resist sin, the power to forgive,

even at the price of her life. Our Father who art in heaven, hallow would be your name. Thy kingdom

come by will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us a stay our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us,

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