VATICAN CITY, JUL 7, 2002 (VIS) - Before praying the Angelus today at midday, the Pope reminded the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square that Maria Goretti, victim of an act of violence, died on July 6 one hundred years ago. Pius XII proclaimed her a saint in 1950 "presenting her to all as a model of brave fidelity to the Christian vocation even to the supreme sacrifice of life."
John Paul II affirmed that in a special message that he wrote for this anniversary he wanted to underline "the reality of this martyr of purity which I hope can be better known by adolescents and young people."
"St. Maria Goretti," he said, "is an example for the younger generations, threatened by a mentality of indifference, who find it difficult to understand the importance of values to which it is never right to give in."
The Holy Father emphasized that "Maria, although poor and lacking education, had a strong and mature personality at age 12, formed by the religious education received from her family. This made her capable not only of defending her own person with heroic chastity but also of forgiving her killer. Her martyrdom is a reminder that man does not fulfill himself by following his inclinations for pleasure, but by living life itself with love and responsibility."
"I know dear young people," he added, "that you are sensitive to these ideals. While I am waiting to meet you in two weeks in Toronto, today I would like to say to you once again: "Do not let the culture of pleasure and enjoyment dull your consciences! Be sharp and attentive sentinels in order to be authentic protagonists of a new humanity!"
John Paul II concluded by imploring the Virgin, "the purest among creatures, to help men and women of our time, especially young people, to rediscover the value of chastity and to live interpersonal relations with reciprocal respect and sincere love."
ANG;ST. MARIA GORETTI;...;...;VIS;20020708;Word: 320;
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