Jesus Caritas Church
Pilgrims of Hope 2025
St Maria Goretti & Prayers
Patron Saint of Abused Children, Chastity and Rape Victims
(Emphasising on forgiveness and that she’s the patron saint for chastity & forgiveness. Tell pilgrims to recall anyone whom they can’t forgive and ask them to pray for anyone they can’t forgive. With this pilgrimage, ask for help to forgive anyone they can’t forgive).
St. Maria Goretti is unique in that she is the youngest canonized saint in the Church. She died tragically on July 6, 1902, at the age of 11.
Born into poverty, Maria was 9, when her father died. It fell to her at that time to raise her five siblings while her mother worked the fields to produce the crops with which they would both pay the rent and feed themselves.
This was a terrible time of trial and suffering for the whole family. For Maria it was especially difficult. Aside from having the responsibility of caring for her family, she had to also cook and clean for her two next door neighbours–Giovanni Serenelli and his son, Alessandro–who assisted her mother with the farm tasks.
It was also during this time that Alessandro began to develop an impure liking for Maria. The big 20-year-old would say rude and crude things to her, things that were inappropriate, and that would cause her to run away. However, at a certain point he began to make direct sexual advances towards her, demanding her virginity and threatening her with violence for non-compliance.
Finally, after many months of this, Alessandro forced himself upon Maria in an attempt to rape her. Though she prevented him from violating her, Alessandro brutally stabbed her numerous times. Maria died the next day in the midst of horrendous infection brought on by her lacerations. Her last words were, “I forgive Alessandro Serenelli … and I want him with me in heaven forever.”
During his prison sentence Maria appeared to Alessandro and forgave him. That act of mercy and forgiveness—that act of love—filled Alessandro with contrition for his crime. It was also a turning point for him where grace entered his heart. From that point on, he lived a beautiful and converted life of holiness, eventually becoming a Franciscan lay brother.
St. Maria Goretti is unique in that she is the youngest canonized saint in the Church. She died tragically on July 6, 1902, at the age of 11.
Born into poverty, Maria was 9, when her father died. It fell to her at that time to raise her five siblings while her mother worked the fields to produce the crops with which they would both pay the rent and feed themselves.
This was a terrible time of trial and suffering for the whole family. For Maria it was especially difficult. Aside from having the responsibility of caring for her family, she had to also cook and clean for her two next door neighbours–Giovanni Serenelli and his son, Alessandro–who assisted her mother with the farm tasks.
It was also during this time that Alessandro began to develop an impure liking for Maria. The big 20-year-old would say rude and crude things to her, things that were inappropriate, and that would cause her to run away. However, at a certain point he began to make direct sexual advances towards her, demanding her virginity and threatening her with violence for non-compliance.
Finally, after many months of this, Alessandro forced himself upon Maria in an attempt to rape her. Though she prevented him from violating her, Alessandro brutally stabbed her numerous times. Maria died the next day in the midst of horrendous infection brought on by her lacerations. Her last words were, “I forgive Alessandro Serenelli … and I want him with me in heaven forever.”
During his prison sentence Maria appeared to Alessandro and forgave him. That act of mercy and forgiveness—that act of love—filled Alessandro with contrition for his crime. It was also a turning point for him where grace entered his heart. From that point on, he lived a beautiful and converted life of holiness, eventually becoming a Franciscan lay brother.
Some steps to recall the person you couldn’t forgive:
Reflect on Your Heart:
1. Who comes to mind when you think of someone you have difficulty forgiving?
2. Can you recall a specific incident or action that has caused you to hold onto resentment towards this person?
3. What might have led this person to act in a way that hurt you?
4. What emotions do you associate with this person? Anger, hurt, disappointment?
5. How has holding onto this unforgiveness impacted your life, your well-being, and your relationships with others?
Steps to Forgive:
Begin with a short prayer asking for clarity and openness in your heart. You might say something simple like, “Dear God, please help me see who I need to forgive and grant me the strength to open my heart to this process.”
Close your eyes and take a moment to visualize the important people in your life —from family to friends, colleagues, and acquaintances. Allow past experiences and emotions to surface as you think of these individuals.
When you identify someone you struggle to forgive, take a moment to acknowledge your feelings. It’s okay to feel hurt, angry, or betrayed. Write down your thoughts or emotions regarding this relationship if it helps clarify your feelings.
Imagine what it would feel like to release this burden of unforgiveness. Visualize the healing that comes from letting go. What positive changes might result in your life and spirit if you forgive?
Prayer for Forgiveness: Pray asking for help in forgiving this person.
Call that person and ask for forgiveness if possible. Reconcile with that person and go for confession thereafter.
a) Prayer for Strength and Openness
“Dear God, as I stand before your altar, I ask for the strength to face the painful memories and unresolved feelings in my heart. Grant me the openness to consider the perspectives of those I’ve struggled to forgive. Help me to see them not as enemies, but as fellow human beings deserving of love and compassion.”
b) Prayer for Forgiveness
“Jesus, I ask you to guide me in this journey of forgiveness. Help me to let go of the anger, resentment, and hurt that has weighed me down for so long. I pray for the ability to forgive those who have wronged me, just as you have forgiven me. Grant me the peace that comes from knowing I am free from the burdens of unforgiveness.”
c) Prayer for Healing and Mercy
“Heavenly Father, I pray for healing for myself and for those I’ve struggled to forgive. Grant us both the mercy and compassion we need to move forward, leaving behind the pain and hurt of the past. Help us to rise above our own limitations and see each other with love and understanding.”
d) Prayer for Spiritual Guidance
“Lord, I come before you seeking your guidance in this matter of forgiveness. Show me the way to release the burdens I’ve carried for so long. Grant me the wisdom to recognize the humanity in those I’ve struggled to forgive, and the courage to take the first step towards healing and forgiveness.”
e) Prayer of Repentance
“Dear God, I acknowledge that I have struggled with unforgiveness in my heart. I repent of my anger and resentment towards those who have wronged me. Help me to see the error of holding onto these feelings and to seek your guidance in letting them go. Grant me the strength to forgive as you have forgiven me.”
f) Prayer for Peace
“Jesus, I come before you seeking peace in my heart. I ask that you would heal the wounds that have kept me from forgiving others. Fill me with your love and compassion, and grant me the peace that comes from knowing I am forgiven and free to forgive others.”
g) Prayer of Trust
“Heavenly Father, I trust in your goodness and your love. I trust that you know what I need, even before I ask. I pray that you would grant me the ability to forgive as I have been forgiven. Help me to trust in your timing and your wisdom, and to know that forgiveness is possible, even when it feels impossible.”
Reflect on Your Heart:
1. Who comes to mind when you think of someone you have difficulty forgiving?
2. Can you recall a specific incident or action that has caused you to hold onto resentment towards this person?
3. What might have led this person to act in a way that hurt you?
4. What emotions do you associate with this person? Anger, hurt, disappointment?
5. How has holding onto this unforgiveness impacted your life, your well-being, and your relationships with others?
Steps to Forgive:
Begin with a short prayer asking for clarity and openness in your heart. You might say something simple like, “Dear God, please help me see who I need to forgive and grant me the strength to open my heart to this process.”
Close your eyes and take a moment to visualize the important people in your life —from family to friends, colleagues, and acquaintances. Allow past experiences and emotions to surface as you think of these individuals.
When you identify someone you struggle to forgive, take a moment to acknowledge your feelings. It’s okay to feel hurt, angry, or betrayed. Write down your thoughts or emotions regarding this relationship if it helps clarify your feelings.
Imagine what it would feel like to release this burden of unforgiveness. Visualize the healing that comes from letting go. What positive changes might result in your life and spirit if you forgive?
Prayer for Forgiveness: Pray asking for help in forgiving this person.
Call that person and ask for forgiveness if possible. Reconcile with that person and go for confession thereafter.
a) Prayer for Strength and Openness
“Dear God, as I stand before your altar, I ask for the strength to face the painful memories and unresolved feelings in my heart. Grant me the openness to consider the perspectives of those I’ve struggled to forgive. Help me to see them not as enemies, but as fellow human beings deserving of love and compassion.”
b) Prayer for Forgiveness
“Jesus, I ask you to guide me in this journey of forgiveness. Help me to let go of the anger, resentment, and hurt that has weighed me down for so long. I pray for the ability to forgive those who have wronged me, just as you have forgiven me. Grant me the peace that comes from knowing I am free from the burdens of unforgiveness.”
c) Prayer for Healing and Mercy
“Heavenly Father, I pray for healing for myself and for those I’ve struggled to forgive. Grant us both the mercy and compassion we need to move forward, leaving behind the pain and hurt of the past. Help us to rise above our own limitations and see each other with love and understanding.”
d) Prayer for Spiritual Guidance
“Lord, I come before you seeking your guidance in this matter of forgiveness. Show me the way to release the burdens I’ve carried for so long. Grant me the wisdom to recognize the humanity in those I’ve struggled to forgive, and the courage to take the first step towards healing and forgiveness.”
e) Prayer of Repentance
“Dear God, I acknowledge that I have struggled with unforgiveness in my heart. I repent of my anger and resentment towards those who have wronged me. Help me to see the error of holding onto these feelings and to seek your guidance in letting them go. Grant me the strength to forgive as you have forgiven me.”
f) Prayer for Peace
“Jesus, I come before you seeking peace in my heart. I ask that you would heal the wounds that have kept me from forgiving others. Fill me with your love and compassion, and grant me the peace that comes from knowing I am forgiven and free to forgive others.”
g) Prayer of Trust
“Heavenly Father, I trust in your goodness and your love. I trust that you know what I need, even before I ask. I pray that you would grant me the ability to forgive as I have been forgiven. Help me to trust in your timing and your wisdom, and to know that forgiveness is possible, even when it feels impossible.”