Through her life, Maria Goretti bears witness, especially to young people, that the path of purity is the one to follow. In times when women are treated as objects that can be discarded without much concern, even to the point of extreme violence, Maria Goretti reminds us of the meaning of our own dignity and integrity. It was July 6, 1902, when, after forgiving her assassin, she died in Nettuno at just 12 years of age. She was the victim of an attack by Alessandro Serenelli, a young man in his twenties, who decided to kill this girl who, as Cardinal Comastri reminds us, “courageously defended the dignity of women and the dignity of true love.”

Purity “is a diamond of great value”

Saint John Bosco wrote about purity: “Virtue in young hearts is a precious adornment that makes them dear to God and to people. But the queen of virtues, the angelic virtue, holy purity, is a treasure of such great worth that young girls who possess it become like the Angels of God, even though they are still mortal on earth. […] Purity is a diamond of great value.” Blessed Alberto Marvelli wrote: “Living in purity. How highly this virtue is valued amid so much filth! But is it difficult to attain? It is difficult for those who believe they can achieve it through human means, but for those who draw nourishment from the inexhaustible sources of grace and love, sustained by the Eucharist, meditation, and willpower, it is attainable.” Maria Goretti, who drew nourishment from these sources, became a symbol of this very purity, defended at the cost of her life. How much the world today has to learn from her!

“Love has become a game of the body”

In the homily he delivered on January 23, 2020, on the occasion of the return of Saint Maria Goretti's remains to her hometown, Cardinal Comastri said: «Many people today think that life is only what is enjoyed here below (so no sacrifice, no commitment, but a frantic rush toward entertainment leading to self-destruction: and every Saturday night we have proof of it); many people today think that love is merely the satisfaction of one's instincts (so no fidelity, no law... not even the well-being of one's children): love has become a game of the body, and the person has been reduced to a few square centimeters. How squalid! This is a dangerously serious betrayal of love, strips people of their dignity, and makes every kind of violence possible». On that same occasion, Cardinal Comastri recalled: «In the year 2000, Father Oreste organized a pilgrimage to Loreto for former prostitutes.

We held a prayer vigil in the Pomarancio Chapel, and at the end, a former prostitute asked me if she could say something. I let her speak, and this is exactly what she said: I know what hell is! I have experienced it. For many years I was a sewer collecting semen during loveless embraces: they were merely encounters of bodies, vulgar encounters of bodies... without soul, without feeling, without love. Now, thanks to Father Oreste, I understand that before I was not a woman, but merely a repository for semen. Now I know what Paradise is: Paradise is a pure heart, a heart capable of loving, a heart free from selfishness. Now I understand Jesus' words: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God!” Yes, now I see everything differently because my heart is pure. And I will never stop thanking Father Oreste because he opened my eyes!».

Let us look to Saint Maria Goretti, to her clear and pure example. We entrust to her above all our young people, who are exposed to temptations of every kind. May the Saint of purity enlighten their hearts and minds.

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