Posted on 08/16/2015 7:13:12 PM PDT by Coleus
It’s been confirmed. The body — the major relics — of St. Maria Goretti, beloved by countless millions, is heading to the United States. When she arrives from Italy, the first public appearance will be on Sept. 21 at Sacred Heart Basilica in Newark, N.J. — public because she will initially be visiting a prison before that. As of the latest scheduling she will tour through 25 Catholic dioceses spanning 18 states in parishes, schools, and prisons, including New York, Boston, Newark, Philadelphia, Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, Orlando, and Oklahoma City.
Why the tour at this time? Maria Goretti is the Patroness of Mercy. This tour will be known officially as the Pilgrimage of Mercy. Very clearly, it is purposely a forerunner to the Holy Year of Mercy that Pope Francis declared to begin on Dec. 8. The Congregation of the Causes of Saints, her basilica, and Treasures of the Church have put together this tour (MariaGoretti.com) to prepare and catechize in the United States for this great celebration in the life of the Church.
Extremely popular St. Maria Goretti, the youngest canonized saint in the Catholic Church, embodied mercy. She was only 11 years old when she died July 6, 1902, after she was stabbed 14 times during a rape attempt. As she lay dying in the hospital, her last words were of mercy towards her attacker: “I forgive Alessandro Serenelli … and I want him with me in heaven forever.”
Cardinal Edwin O’Brien, the Grand Master of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre which has stepped in as a major help with this tour, stated: “May the opportunity to reverence her relics demonstrate the power of Divine Mercy and forgiveness awaiting every one of us who takes the message of Jesus seriously to heart.”
(Excerpt) Read more at ncregister.com ...
Uhmmm, Alright then.
“..the major relics..**
What are the major relics? What are the minor relics, and why are they being left behind?
Having grown up in AN Irish neighborhood, I never knew who she was but now understand why many Italians went to Maria Goretti High School. Too bad the neighborhood changed and they closed
This guy, theoldmarine , constantly invades Catholic Caucus threads to harass Catholics. Please Help!
Maria resisted her rapist primarily because she did not want him to commit a mortal sin. This is what she said to him repeatedly. I don’t think it’s certain whether, at the age of twelve, she understood that she, herself, was not obligated to resist a rapist to the death.
But he did murder her, and years later was present at her canonization.
The mockery to which Maria Goretti has been subjected is just a measure of the coarseness and wickedness of those who—even though they often call themselves “Christians”—hate virginity and the virtue of chastity.
Went to St. Maria Goretti, church and Catholic school! In Pa as a kid! The Nuns were hell. Lol
“Major relics” is the physical remains. “Minor relics” are clothing and other articles used by the person when alive.
Went to the site, full of info.
Not surprised this will be taking place, as I have sense, there is a LOT of anger and unforgiveness in this country.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.