Women Saints part 14

Saint Maria Goretti

Maria Goretti was a happy and obedient child. When she was nine years old, her father died. Maria prayed each day for the strength to follow Jesus and avoid serious sin.

One day a young man named Alexander tried to force Maria to sin. She refused, saying, "I would rather die than sin."

In a rage, Alexander stabbed Maria fourteen times with a long knife. Twelve-year-old Maria lived only twenty-four hours; but before dying she forgave Alexander and prayed for his conversion.

Eight years later Maria appeared to Alexander in prison, offering him flowers. Alexander called for a priest, repented of his sins, and surrendered his life to Jesus. After his release, Alexander asked forgiveness of Maria's mother and family, and spent his life serving God.

Alexander and many of Maria's family were in Rome in 1950, when Pope Pius XII canonized the new patroness for Catholic youth: Saint Maria Goretti!

Women Saints part 4

Saint Rita

Even when Rita was very young, she loved to say prayers. Her heart's desire was to dedicate her life to God and become a nun. But her parents insisted that she marry. Rita believed God wanted her to obey her parents.

Sadly, the husband they chose for her was violent and cruel. Rita was a good and kind wife, and loved her twin sons. But they grew up to be as evil as their father. Rita never stopped praying for her husband and sons.

Then one day, her husband was killed by some of his enemies. Her sosn wanted to kill jis murderers, but Rita ws against it. Revenge is wrong, she thought. She prayed for her sons to die rather than commit murder. Soon after that, God let them die.

Rita entered the convent of the Augustinian Nuns. She lived in prayer, penance and charity. She prayed to God to let her suffer like Jesus did. The a thorn from a crucifix struck her forehead and injured her. The wound never healed and she suffered from it for the rest of her life.

Women Saints part 3

Saint Anne

Anne was the mother of the Virgin Mary. That means she was the mother of the mother of Jesus Christ. Her name means grace, and she had many special graces from God.

She lived with her husband Joachim, in Nazareth. For a long time they had no children, even though Anne wanted a child very much. She thought God was punishing her. She prayed to God and begged Him to let her have a child. He heard her prayers. Even though Anne was too old to have children, she had a daughter and called her Mary.

Anne loved Mary with all her heart and took very good care of her. She sent Mary to school to learn and serve in the Temple. She had promised to give her child to God. Then, when Mary returned to Nazareth, an Angel appeared to her and told her that she was going to be the Mother of Jesus.

More Word of God's about Encouragement

God's Salvation

Then whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Acts 2:21

No one else can save us. Indeed, we can be saved only by the power of the one named Jesus....... Acts 4:12

I'm not ashamed of the Good News. It is God's power to save everyone who believes, Jews first and Greeks as well. God's approval is revealed in this Good News. This approval begins and ends with faith as Scripture says, "The person who has God's approval will live by faith." Romans 1:16-17

It was not God's intention that we experience his anger but that we obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1Thessalonians 5:9

God sent his Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but to save the world. John 3:17

He wants all people to be saved and learn the truth. There is one God. There is also one mediator between God and humans-a human, Christ Jesus. He sacrificed himself for all people to free them from their sins. 1Timothy 2:4-6