No Age Requirements for Holiness:
St. Maria Goretti
At the tender age of 12 this pious and hardworking young girl was attacked by a 19 year old man who wished to rape her. She fought him off, telling him this was a sin and he could go to hell. He began to stab her, and would stab her 14 times. She would survive for 2 days in the hospital and died after having forgiven him and asking God to forgive him. Holding a Crucifix and a medal of Our Lady, the holy young girl gave her soul to God.
The man was convicted of this terrible crime and spent years in prison. For many years unrepentant, he later saw a vision of Maria that led to his conversion. He would be there in person when she was canonized in Rome in 1950. The girl's mother was also there and following Maria's example, she also forgave her killer.
Maria was not quite 12 when she died to preserve her purity. How we need her prayers for our young people today!
Read more about St. Maria Goretti here: airmaria.com
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