Prayers of the Saints
Prayer to St. Maria Goretti for Purity
O St. Maria Goretti,
who strengthened by God's grace
did not hesitate even at the age of twelve
to shed your blood and sacrifice life itself
to defend your virginal purity,
look graciously on the unhappy human race
which has strayed far from the path of eternal salvation.
Teach us all, and especially the young,
with what courage and promptness
we should flee for the love of Jesus
anything that could offend Him
or stain our souls with sin.
Obtain for us from the Lord
victory in temptation,
comfort in sorrow,
and the grace which we earnestly beg of you. Amen.
Traditional; post-canonization devotional text (1950)
About the prayer
St. Maria Goretti (1890–1902) was an Italian farm girl who died of wounds received while resisting an assault, forgiving her attacker before she died. Pope Pius XII canonized her in 1950 before one of the largest crowds ever gathered for a canonization, and her attacker, converted in prison, was present. This prayer, circulated in the years after her canonization, is prayed by young people, by parents for their children, and by anyone asking for courage in temptation and healing after harm.
Related prayers
- Stephen's Dying PrayerScripture-Based Prayers
- Prayer of St. Aloysius Gonzaga for PurityPrayers of the Saints
- Consecration to St. Joseph (Short Form)Prayers of the Saints
- The Armor of God Prayer (Ephesians 6)Deliverance & Spiritual Protection
- Prayer to St. Joseph for PurityPrayers of the Saints
- A Prayer Before a Difficult DayPrayers for Mental Health
More prayers for forgiveness →
Read 0 times
Provided by findmyprayer.com
Find My Prayer