Background on St.

Maria Goretti
Saint Maria Goretti was a young peasant girl, the third
Confraternity of
of seven children, who lived in the swamps of Lazio, St. Maria Goretti
Italy. Growing up extremely poor, her family was
forced to give up their farm to work for other farmers
when St. Maria was five years old. Due to their
financial situation, the Gorettis shared a home with
another family, the Serenellis. When she was only
nine, St. Maria's father contracted malaria and died,
leaving her and her mother to work and take care of
the family. In 1902, when Maria was only 11 years-old,
Alessandro Serenelli (20) whom she lived with, began
making advances towards her and tried coercing her
into sins of the flesh. Maria repeatedly refused and
after many attempts, Alessandro attempted to violate
her by force, but failed as Maria yelled "No! It is a sin!
God does not want it!" This angered Alessandro even
more, and he began to repeatedly stab Maria 14 times
with an awl, which he did so aggressively to the point
of bending it. As Maria was in agony on her deathbed,
she was told by the priest to offer her pain to God and
for the conversion of Alessandro. Maria's final words Shown above is the only photo ever taken of St. Maria
Goretti. This photo was taken in 1902, the same year she
were, "I forgive Alessandro Serenelli … and I want him would become a martyr at the age of 12 while protecting
with me in heaven forever.” her purity and enter into her heavenly reward.

What is the Confraternity of What can be done to support

St. Maria Goretti?
The Confraternity of St. Maria Goretti is a public
association of the faithful with the aim of uniting
Catholics to pray for:
The rescue and protection of children from
sexual crimes and abuse, that their purity may
be preserved.
The conversion of those who harm children.
The spiritual healing of children and their
families.
Reparation to God for these crimes, so that He
may spare us from chastisement.
the Confraternity?
One can support the confraternity by praying for its
ecclesiastical approval, and for its elevation to an
Archconfraternity by the Holy See so that it's
mission of mercy and of devotion to St. Maria Goretti
can spread throughout the world.
Donations are also appreciated, especially after one
has submitted their enrollment form to the
confraternity since they will be receiving devotional
and other materials.

Members of the confraternity are required to learn

and read, and encourages others to learn and read
about the life of St. Maria Goretti.

Saint Maria Goretti is often referred to as the

"modern day St. Agnes", a young virgin martyr
from the third century who was beheaded after
refusing to violate her vow of celibacy.
 What drove Alessandro Serenelli to What happened to Alessandro Serenelli?
commit such an act? St. Maria Goretti's prayers at her deathbed proved
Alessandro Serenelli came from a troubled background infallible. After confessing everything he did to Maria
without a mother and an alcoholic father. He labored during his trial and showing no remorse at all,
hard his entire life from a very small age. Alessandro Alessandro received a vision from Maria while in prison.
greatly lacked the virtue of having a holy fear of the Maria appeared to him holding 14 white lilies (symbols
Lord. Alessandro imitated his coworkers in the grave of purity), one for every time he stabbed her.
sins of impure language, and he began viewing impure Alessandro's heart was converted as he saw this as a sign
images and reading impure, violent stories. He also of forgiveness and of Maria's intercession for him. This
adhered to anti-Catholic ideologies growing in Italy at caused his heart to convert to the extent of being let out
the time such as atheism, anti-clericalism, and other from prison early due to good behavior. After being
revolutionary thought. released from prison, he went to beg forgiveness from St.
He let these sins Maria Goretti's mother Assunta. Assunta replied, "If
consume his soul and Maria forgives you, and God forgives you, how can I not
inflame his rage and also forgive you?" The two went together to Midnight
lust, falling victim to Mass and received Holy Communion kneeling side by
the evil of the devil, the side. ALessandro lived the rest of his life as a lay brohter
world, and the flesh. in a Franciscan monastery and along with Asssunta,
What attracted him to attended the canonization of Maria in 1950.
Maria was, along with
lust, the immolation of
the pure, what he
viewed as a defiance of
Catholic society.

Obligations for Confraternity members. What is required to become a member of

Confraternity members are required to: the Confraternity of St. Maria Goretti?
Acquire a devotion to St. Maria Goretti. Those who would like to become a member of the
Attend monthly meetings (if possible) and recite the Confraternity of St. Maria Goretti should not
chaplet of St. Maria Goretti.
hesitate to begin the daily prayers. To formally join
Learn about her life, and inform others about her heroic
virtue and sacrifice for the conversion of her attacker.
the confraternity and receive the spiritual graces
granted to members, one must send their name
Every day, members are to recite: and address to __[insert address]__ in order to be
1x St. Michael Prayer for the protection of children enrolled among the list of the confraternity's
suffering abuse. members.
7x Hail Mary's in honor of Our Lady's Seven Sorrows for Once you have sent
the finding of missing children and the consolation of
in your name and
victims and their parents.
address, materials
Recite the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in
reparation for these sins. surrounding
Recite the prayer to St. Maria Goretti for the conversion devotion to St. Maria
of hearts. Goretti and the
confraternity will be
Every year, members are to: sent to you, and
Offer one Holy Communion for the conversion of monthly and annual
sinners.
requirements will
Pray a novena to St. Maria Goretti for the protection of
now be obligatory.
the purity of children starting on June 27.
Recite Canticles 3: 1-4 in honor of Our Lady
of Sorrows for the consolation of victims and
their parents.

Recite the Litany of

the Sacred Heart of
Jesus in reparation for
these sins.