Body of St. Maria Goretti Visits Toronto May 31-June 2

In the midst of very busy days throughout the Archdiocese, we can't overlook an historic occasion that is taking place. For the first time ever, the body of St. Maria Goretti is making its way outside of its regular resting place in Italy to Canada. A tour through Quebec and Ontario has been underway since May 22nd and makes its way to the Archdiocese of Toronto May 31 - June 2.

This is a unique opportunity to be among one of the great saints and one of the youngest as Maria was murdered at the age of 12. Months of hard work have gone into organizing the visit. Kudos to all those parishes who will host this special moment in the life of the church. Special recognition in our own Archdiocese goes to Fr. Edwin Galea, pastor of St. Maria Goretti Parish, who, along with his engaged and vibrant parish committee proactively contacted local media and got plenty of traction including numerous print articles and a guest spot on CBC Radio's "Here and Now".

Below you'll find their press release and a little more biographical information on St. Maria Goretti. If you're interested in learning more about relics, the process of canonization and the role that saints play in the life of the Catholic Church, you can check out a backgrounder that our office prepared a year ago for the beatification of Blessed Pope John Paul II.

We give thanks for this blessing in our Archdiocese and encourage those who are able to make the pilgrimage to visit this model of faith among us.

Press Release

St. Maria Goretti from Nettuno Italy Visits Her Parish in Toronto
(At St. Maria Goretti Parish – 31 May to 2 June 2012)
http://stmariagoretti-toronto.com/

The body of Saint Maria Goretti, the 12-year-old patron saint of modern youth, young women, purity, and victims of rape, is visiting Toronto, as part of a pilgrimage, from her Shrine at the Basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie e Santa Maria Goretti, in Nettuno, south of Rome, Italy.

Maria Teresa Goretti was born in Corinaldo, Italy on October 16, 1890, the third of Luigi and Assunta Goretti’s seven children. At the age of six, Maria’s family moved to a farm in Ferrier di Conca, Italy. Maria’s father, Luigi Goretti, hoped to work under rich farmers and live a more prosperous life.

In Ferrier, the Goretti family shared a home with Giovanni and his 20-year old son Alessandro Serenelli. They all worked on a farm owned by Count Mazzoleni. The farmlands were infested with mosquitoes and unfortunately Maria’s father died of malaria when she was just 10 years old.

Now the daughter of a poor widow, Maria took on the job of a grown woman. She cooked, cleaned, bought groceries and looked after her siblings. Young Maria never complained for she knew it would only increase the difficulties of her mother. Throughout their misfortunes, Maria was completely devoted and passionate to Our Lord Jesus.  Maria Goretti joyfully, received her First Holy Communion at age eleven.

In her 12th year, Maria Goretti was fatally attacked by her neighbour Alessandro Serenelli, who intended to sexually abuse her. Maria refused to submit to this grievous sin.  Alessandro was filled with such a rage that he stabbed Maria 14 times. In her last moments Maria completely forgave her murderer for his crime, adding “And I want him to be with me in paradise.” Alessandro was unrepentant until Maria appeared to him in a dream forgiving him. On awaking, he was a changed man, repenting of his crime and living a reformed life.

Forty-eight years after her death, Maria Goretti was declared a saint by Pope Pius XII in St. Peter’s Square. Maria’s mother, Assunta Goretti, was the first mother ever to attend the canonization ceremony of her child. Alessandro, her murderer, was also present. Maria Goretti became the youngest officially recognized Roman Catholic saint.

St. Maria Goretti’s body will be arriving at St. Maria Goretti Parish, 717 Kennedy Road, Toronto, Ontario, on May 31, at 3:00PM, from Ottawa.  She will remain at the church until June 2, 7:00AM.  During this time, the church will remain open throughout for vigil and veneration.  There will be a Solemn Mass officiated by Cardinal Thomas Collins on June 1 at 7:30PM to mark the visit

From St. Maria Goretti Parish, the body will be taken to St. Nicholas of Bari Parish, 1277 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto. A solemn Mass will be held at 10:00AM followed by a vigil and veneration.  At around 4:00PM, the body will be taken in procession to St. Clare Parish, 1118, St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto and will remain there for the night before going to the Martyrs’ Shrine, Midland, Ontario, on the morning of June 3, 2012.