Prayer to St. Maria Goretti by Pope Pius XII

 

Extracted  from Pope Pius XII's Homily at the Canonization of Saint Maria Goretti, Martyr of Purity, on June 24, 1950:

Why, beloved children, have you rushed in such boundless numbers to her glorification?  Why, hearing or reading the account of her brief life, so much like a pristine gospel narrative for the simplicity of its line, for the painting of its setting, for the very flaming violence of the death, were you touched even to tears?  Why has Maria Goretti conquered your hearts so quickly, even to the point of becoming your favorite, your darling?   Thus, there is in this world, manifestly overwhelmed and sunk into hedonism, not only a sparse crowd of the chosen, thirsting for heaven and pure air, but a throng, but an immense multitude, upon which the supernatural fragrance of Christian purity works an irresistible and promising allure: promising and encouraging.

We greet you, O beautiful and lovable saint! Martyr on earth and angel in heaven, look down from your glory on this people, which loving, venerating, glorifying and exalting you.

On your forehead you bear the full, brilliant and victorious Name of Christ; in your virginal countenance may be read the strength of your love and the constancy of your fidelity to your Divine Spouse; as His bride, espoused in blood, you have traced in yourself His own image.

To you, therefore, powerful intercessor with the Lamb of God, we entrust these, our sons and daughters, who are present here, and those countless others who are united with us in spirit. For, while they admire your heroism, they are even more desirous of imitating your strength of faith and your inviolate purity of conduct. Fathers and mothers have recourse to you, asking you to help them in their task of education.

In you, through our hands, the children and the young people will find a safe refuge, trusting that they shall be protected from every contamination, and be able to walk the highways of life with that serenity of spirit and deep joy which is the heritage of those who are pure of heart. Amen.