St. Maria Goretti

On July 5, 1902, Maria Goretti was brutally stabbed to death by Alessandro Serenelli. The 11-year-old virgin-martyr not only fought to maintain her purity; she forgave her killer and declared that she wanted him to be with her in Heaven. In what is the most in-depth biography on the life of St. Maria Goretti in the English language, author Bret Thoman brings the saga to life like never before.

To create the most extensive and comprehensive English-language biography of Maria Goretti, the author drew from the most updated Italian biographies as sources. Moreover, he personally visited the three sites related to the story of Maria and Alessandro. Written to accompany Thoman's sister book on Maria Goretti, "Following Maria Goretti: A Personal Journey from Her Birthplace to Martyrdom," the result is a fresh, new look at the lives, personalities, and milieu of Maria Goretti.

This work also explores the life of the other protagonist of the story, Alessandro Serenelli. While many accounts of Maria Goretti's life focus on the depravity of her killer, this book explores his childhood traumas-including his mother's mental illness, his broken home, privation, and frequent migrations. The author not only visited the village where he was born, he visited the Capuchin friary where he died. While doing so, he had the opportunity to interview three Capuchin friars who lived with and knew Alessandro Serenelli well. Their reflections are invaluable in understanding the complex character and psyche of Alessandro. What results is a true "Journey into Forgiveness and Redemption."

With a foreword by Cardinal Angelo Comastri, himself a devotee of St. Maria Goretti, this book is the perfect start to getting acquainted with Maria Goretti's life. Or, if you already have a devotion to Maria Goretti this book goes deeper. May the Holy Spirit guide you as you begin your journey.