- Anugraha Johnson, 8th Standard
St. Francis Assisi Church, Kakkanad.
Hi friends,
My favorite saint is St. Maria Goretti. Let me tell you her story in simple words.
Maria Goretti was a sweet, innocent girl from Italy. She was only 11 years old. One day, a young man named Alessandro tried to hurt her. But Maria bravely said, “No, this is a sin! Our body is the home of Jesus, and we must keep it pure.”
Because Maria refused, Alessandro got angry and hurt her badly. Even though she was in pain, Maria forgave him before she died. She said, “I want him to be in heaven with me.” Isn’t that amazing?
- “Even though she was in pain, Maria forgave him before she died.”
- “Our body is the home of Jesus, and we must keep it pure.”
- “She said, ‘I want him to be in heaven with me.'”
Later, while in jail, Alessandro felt very sorry for what he did. Maria even appeared to him in a dream with beautiful white lilies, showing her love and forgiveness. After many years, Alessandro became a good man and even lived as a brother in a monastery.
In 1950, Maria was made a saint, and even her mother and Alessandro were there at the ceremony!
Why do I love her?
Maria Goretti is special because she teaches us about purity, courage, and forgiveness. She kept her heart clean for Jesus and forgave someone who hurt her so badly.
She shows us that we too should keep our lives holy, treat our bodies with respect, and always try to forgive others with love.
That’s why Maria Goretti is my role model, and I want to follow her example.
