love, true love

St. Maria Goretti is one of the most important figures for today's climate of self-satisfaction. She bespeaks a tenderness clearly rooted in the strength of the Gospel. Even more sublime is that, when many thousands gathered at St. Peter's to hear Pius XII declare her canonization, her attacker (that is, her raper and murderer) was there to receive the Lord's graces as well. When we look at St. Maria, we should see not a naiive and simple girl but the Lord Himself saying, "Forgive them, they do not know what they are doing." Purity, strength, salvation.