The major relics of St. Maria Goretti will make a stop at St.
Veronica Church in Chantilly as part of a special “Pilgrimage
of Mercy” throughout the United States during the Year of
Mercy.
Veneration of the relics will begin at 9 a.m. Oct. 22,
following the 8:15 a.m. Mass, and continue throughout the
day. A solemn Mass will be celebrated at 7 p.m. and
veneration will conclude at 10 p.m.
The Vatican recently announced that anyone who venerates the
body during the tour may obtain a plenary indulgence if they
go to Confession, receive the Eucharist, pray for the
intentions of the pope and have the interior disposition of
being detached from sin.
St. Maria died at age 11 after being stabbed 14 times by
Alessandro Serenelli, a 20-year-old man who tried to rape
her. Her final words were “I forgive Alessandro
Serenelli
and I want him in heaven with me forever.”
Six years into his prison sentence, her attacker reported
seeing an apparition of St. Maria and had a conversion
experience.
FIND OUT MORE
Call 703-773-2000, St. Veronica Church, 3640 Centreville
Road, Chantilly, or visit mariagoretti.com.
