A Little Child Shall Lead

She has been given the title of the martyr of purity and patron of youth, young women and those who are victims of rape.  However, Maria Goretti’s holiness is so much more than her titles: she is a model of unrelenting forgiveness.  

As she lay dying, she said, “I for the love of Jesus forgive my murderer and I want him to be with me in paradise.  May God forgive him, because I have already forgiven him.”  Her death came after some 20 painful hours.  In fact, Maria’s 14 stab wounds were so extensive her doctors were surprised that she had survived the attack.

Fast-forward more 100 years to 2015.  From September to November of that year her body traveled to America on a Pilgrimage of Mercy.  Her feast day arrives this year not only amid the increasing worldwide violence but also the intensifying efforts of hate mongers who thrive off the fear of the gullible and the spiritually insecure.
 
Jesus once remarked, “It is mercy I desire and not sacrifice (Mt. 9:13).” In Hebrew, the word mercy has several meanings—tenderness, pity and generosity.   Thus his statement takes on a more nuanced importance.  It is tenderness I desire.  It is pity.  Such words are the virtues of a child’s heart. Thus, the iron bars and walls of her killer’s, Alessandro Serenelli, cell could not keep her tenderness, her generosity of heart out. 

St. Maria, you came on a pilgrimage of mercy to our nation—teach us how to be merciful.
                                                                   

A Litany of Mercy in Honor of St. Maria Goretti

For all those who believe they need no forgiveness	St. Maria, show pity.
For all those who struggle to forgive	St. Maria, show tenderness
For all those feel self-righteous in the face of evil	St.  Maria, pray for us
For all those who complain about our society and do nothing to help heal the results of violence	St. Maria, show pity
For all those whose Christianity is one of fear	St. Maria, show tenderness
For all those whose fear blinds them from seeing the good in others	St. Maria, pray for us
For all those who have been victims of hate	St. Maria, show pity
For all those have been victims of indifference	St. Maria, show tenderness
Help us find ways to support those who are messengers of mercy	St. Maria, pray for us
Help us find ways to become aware of our own need for tenderness	St. Maria, pray for us
Help us find ways to welcome the stranger	St. Maria, pray for us
Help us find ways to become like children who know they are loved	St. Maria, pray for us
Help us find ways to help rebuild trust after violence	St. Maria, pray for us
Help us find ways to teach non-violence, especially to our children	St. Maria, pray for us
Help us find ways for our mercy and compassion to reach beyond prison walls	St. Maria, pray for us

St. Maria, may your life and death inspire us not to fear the violence and evil in our world.  Teach us your childlike wisdom to embrace the sufferings so that others may know they do not carry their burdens alone.  Amen.