Thousands of pilgrims came out to venerate the major relics of St. Maria Goretti throughout the day and late into the night on October 7 at Saint Peter Parish in Merchantville, as part of a nationwide tour of the “Patroness of Mercy.”
Saint Peter’s is one of more than 40 locations in the United States chosen to be part of the “Pilgrimage of Mercy” to celebrate the Extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy beginning December 8.
It is the first time that Saint Maria’s body will travel to the U.S., and only the second time that she has left Italy; her body is kept in the crypt of the Basilica of Nostra Signore della Grazie e Santa Maria Goretti in Nuttuno.
In 1902, young Maria was stabbed to death by a neighbor, Allesandro, after she refused his advances. On her deathbed, she forgave her murderer and, after serving 27 years in prison, he was a changed man. When Maria was declared a saint in 1950, Allesandro was there to celebrate her.
Hosting the body of St. Maria Goretti “is an honor. With the upcoming Year of Mercy, it is fitting” to remember a saint who showed mercy and forgiveness to her murderer, said Father Anthony Manupella, parish pastor.
[imic_button colour=”btn-default” type=”enabled” link=”http://www.courierpostonline.com/story/news/2015/10/05/stmaria-goretti-sj/73399400/” target=”_self” extraclass=”” size=”btn-sm”]Read Kim Mulford’s article in Courier Post[/imic_button]