Oh Saint 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 youth, with what courage and promptitude we should flee for the love of Jesus anything that could offend Him or stain our souls with sin. Obtain for us from our Lord victory in temptation, comfort in the sorrows of life, and the grace which we earnestly beg of thee (here insert intention), and may we one day enjoy with thee the imperishable glory of Heaven. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, etc. St. Maria Goretti, pray for us!
Prayer Before a Date Dear Little Saint Maria Goretti! Teach me that God must be my first love and that all other love is based on Him and Him alone. Obtain for me the grace to cease toying with the occasions of sin and to remember that my body and the bodies of all in grace are temples of the Holy Spirit, destined someday for a glorious resurrection. Through your beautiful example, teach me the value and dignity of Christian modesty. Grant that I may never be the occasion of dragging others into Hell, by suggestive words or evil deeds of any kind. Through the merits of your Martyrdom, obtain for me the grace to turn aside from sin, no matter what the cost, so that one day I may enjoy Heaven with you and all the other saints. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, etc. St. Maria Goretti, pray for us! top
St.Mary Goretti Novena Prayer
Saint Mary 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 youth, with what courage and promptitude we should flee for the love of Jesus, anything that could offend Him or stain our souls with sin. Obtain for us from our Lord victory in temptation, comfort in the sorrows of life, and the grace which we earnestly beg of Thee, (mention your request) and may we one day enjoy with Thee the imperishable glory of heaven. Amen.
NOVENA Prayers Below
The Nine Day Novena To St. Mary Goretti
DAY ONE
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen
Most lovable little Saint, who valued your purity above any earthly gain, and who sealed this choice with a martyr's death, obtain for me also a strong love of this virtue, so consoling to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The pleasures of the world create many temptations for me. I turn to your powerful intercession in Heaven, so that with this help I may remain ever loyal to God, no matter what the price. In danger inspire me to repeat with you, "No, it is a sin!" Amen.
Recite the Litany of the Blessed Virgin, (below) followed by
Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my Love!
Sweet Heart of Mary, be my Salvation!
Recite the Prayer to Saint Mary Goretti above, followed by
Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be to the Father,
Saint Mary Goretti, Pray for us!
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
DAY TWO
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen
Dear Saint Mary Goretti, model of loving obedience to parents, teach me to imitate your example. Help me to overcome all selfishness and stubborn pride, draw my parents to Thee, then lead me to accept this authority as the Voice of God in my life. Help them to direct me aright and enable me to obey their every wish. Amen.
Recite the Litany of the Blessed Virgin, (below) followed by
Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my Love!
Sweet Heart of Mary, be my Salvation!
Recite the Prayer to Saint Mary Goretti above, followed by
Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be to the Father,
Saint Mary Goretti, Pray for us!
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
DAY THREE
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen
Dear Little Saint Mary! You were ready for the moment of martyrdom because your short life was given over to daily and heroic self-denial. Your great love of the Sacred Hearts made all this possible. Teach me to love Jesus and His Blessed Mother, so that I too will be inspired to daily self-denial. I am inclined to pamper myself, to gratify my senses, and to excuse myself from all penance. This keeps me from being a true follower of Christ. Help me, lovable Little Martyr, to a sincere practice of self- denial, so that I may be your worthy follower and thus gain Heaven for all Eternity. Amen.
Recite the Litany of the Blessed Virgin, (below) followed by
Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my Love!
Sweet Heart of Mary, be my Salvation!
Recite the Prayer to Saint Mary Goretti above, followed by
Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be to the Father,
Saint Mary Goretti, Pray for us!
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
DAY FOUR
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen
Dear Little Saint! Your days were spent in the filth of the marshes, willingly helping your desperately poor parents and family. Obtain for me the grace to accept my present circumstances in life, no matter how difficult or humiliating they may be. "Just one little drop of water" as the only request that fell from your parched lips during those last horrible hours of life. How much I demand, how unhappy I am when I cannot have my share of the world's conveniences and gaudy attractions! Teach me by your heroic example to be content with what I have, to be grateful for the blessings God has already showered upon me. Amen.
Recite the Litany of the Blessed Virgin,(below) followed by
Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my Love!
Sweet Heart of Mary, be my Salvation!
Recite the Prayer to Saint Mary Goretti above, followed by
Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be to the Father,
Saint Mary Goretti, Pray for us!
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
DAY FIVE
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen
Dear Little Saint, I depend a great deal upon the help of my friends in time of trouble or sorrow. I look for their approval in many things I do. I am disconsolate and lonely when they desert me. Through your powerful intercession in Heaven, obtain for me the grace to place all my confidence in God. Only by walking constantly in His presence and depending upon His help, will I have the courage to stand up for His laws, even though it may mean loss of friends, criticism and complete removal of worldly comfort. Help me to look for all of my strength in Him. Amen.
Recite the Litany of the Blessed Virgin, (below) followed by
Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my Love!
Sweet Heart of Mary, be my Salvation!
Recite the Prayer to Saint Mary Goretti above, followed by
Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be to the Father,
Saint Mary Goretti, Pray for us!
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
DAY SIX
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen
Dear Little Saint! Help me to greater love of my Faith. I have many God-given opportunities to study it but, sad to say, I neglect them. I am even critical of the Priests, Brothers and Sisters who offer their lives that I may better know and love my holy religion. Dear Saint Mary Goretti, teach me to be thankful for these grace which you did not have. Make me proud of my Faith and ready to die for it, if God should require that of me Amen.
Recite the Litany of the Blessed Virgin, (below) followed by
Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my Love!
Sweet Heart of Mary, be my Salvation!
Recite the Prayer to Saint Mary Goretti above, followed by
Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be to the Father,
Saint Mary Goretti, Pray for us!
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
DAY SEVEN
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen
Dear Little Saint, never was Jesus more welcome in a human heart than in yours. The Great Day of First Communion could not come quickly enough. In borrowed clothes and head crowned with flowers of the field, you knelt to receive Him into your soul, so rich with Innocence and Love, and this after months of keen anticipation!
O Powerful Intercessor with the Lamb of God, inflame my soul with your "ardent longing to receive Jesus in the Eucharist." Obtain for me the grace to put aside laziness and indifference, so that I may often, even daily, allow myself to be consumed in the "burning Furnace of Charity." Teach me what true Love really is! Amen.
Recite the Litany of the Blessed Virgin, (below) followed by
Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my Love!
Sweet Heart of Mary, be my Salvation!
Recite the Prayer to Saint Mary Goretti above, followed by
Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be to the Father,
Saint Mary Goretti, Pray for us!
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
DAY EIGHT
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen
Dear Little Martyr! To the last you followed your beloved Jesus! He, while hanging upon His Cross of Suffering, uttered through parched lips, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do!" And you upon your bed of pain, burning with fever, forgave your murderer with the words, "I too, pardon him... I too, wish him to join me in Paradise!
Grant me the grace, O Heroic Saint, to be charitable to others! Much of my time is spent on vengeful thoughts, seeking how I may pay back to others the harm they have done to me. Teach me to forgive, so that I may not only gain Heaven, but also lead others there who might otherwise be doomed to Hell. If I am to follow Christ, help me to imitate His Charity, even as you have done. Amen.
Recite the Litany of the Blessed Virgin, (below) followed by
Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my Love!
Sweet Heart of Mary, be my Salvation!
Recite the Prayer to Saint Mary Goretti above, followed by
Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be to the Father,
Saint Mary Goretti, Pray for us!
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
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DAY NINE
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen
Dear Saint Mary Goretti! Once again I turn to you, and beg of you in the words of Our Holy Father, Pope Pius XII, that "serenity of spirit and deep joy which is the heritage of those who are pure of heart." Help me to turn to Our Blessed Lady, confident in the hope that she will take my hand as she did yours, and lead me on to Paradise, my heavenly country, there to enjoy with you and Her, the company of God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost for all Eternity. Amen.
Recite the Litany of the Blessed Virgin (below) followed by
Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my Love!
Sweet Heart of Mary, be my Salvation!
Recite the Prayer to Saint Mary Goretti above, followed by
Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be to the Father,
Saint Mary Goretti, Pray for us!
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
I WAS CREATED AS A UNIQUE CHILD OF GOD.
- I am special! My body was made in God's image and how I choose to act, what I choose to wear, to watch or listen to, enhances or diminishes the virtues of my personality.
- I will cherish my body and sexuality as gifts from God and give myself time to grow, mature, and understand who I am and what God wants me to be in my life. I will take pride in being chaste because it pleases God and offers me the greatest freedom in life.
- The Blessed Mother, by her holiness and modesty, radiated a grace, dignity and beauty that was a perfect reflection of our loving God. When I try to imitate Mary, like St. Maria Goretti, I can inspire others my age and be a role model through my behavior and example.
- Marital love and sex have a wondrous power permitted by God to create human life through the sacred and holy union of husband and wife. I respect this co-creative role God has entrusted to me when I value myself and my sexuality as a sign of God's loving relationship with me and with the person I will someday choose to love.
- I will seek guidance and support when making difficult personal decisions in life. I understand the possibility of harmful choices and their consequences, but I also understand the loving forgiveness that is mine from God, always.
- I now sign my name as a young man or young woman who desires to be a member of this positive and powerful core group of young Christians, committed by action and example, to prayer, chastity, forgiveness and love of God in the Eucharist, like St. Maria Goretti, model for today's youth.
St. Maria Goretti, pray for us!
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(signature)Please print and sign this form. Keep a copy for yourself as a reminder of your promise to God and to yourself, and send/fax another copy, along with your address, to:FRIENDS OF ST. MARIA GORETTI USA, INC.
email: gzilli@maryknoll.org
P.S. We'd love to hear about your stories of bravery, chastity and advice to other "FRIENDS OF ST. MARIA GORETTI" who have made the Modesty Pledge!
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