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 13

Saint Rose

Rose was born in Lima, Peru. She was the first girl in America to be made a saint. Her real name was Isabel, but her mother called her Rose because of her lovely pink cheeks. Her family was very poor.

Rose always grew sad when people said she was pretty. Her beauty, she thought, might lead to sin. She only wanted her soul to be beautiful to God. So she cut her hair off and wore ugly, old clothes to hide her beauty.

Rose's parents wanted her to marry. But Rose wanted only to serve God by suffering and doing good works. She visited the poor and brought them food and clothing. She asked God to forgive sinners and to let her do penance for their sins. For many years, Rose's parents still tried to convince her to marry. So she finally decided to become a nun.

She lived in the little hut in the garden of her home. When her city was attacked, she prayed to God to save her city. When she died at thirty-one, all Peru was sad to lose her.

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.