St Maria Goretti’s feast day is next Saturday, 6th July.

She was born in 1890 and died in 1902 (12 year of age) as a result of 14 stab wounds inflicted by Alessandro Serenelli a 16 year old youth who attempted to rape Maria. Before she died of her wounds. Maria forgave Alessandro. While in prison for his crime, Alessandro became a devout Catholic and he testified for her beatification as a Saint.