Maria Goretti

Director: Giulio Base Cast: Massimo Bonetti, Luisa Ranieri, Martina Pinto, Fabrizio Bucci, Giulio Base, Claudia Koll Production: Lux Vide, Rai - Country: Italy- Year: 2003 - Summary: Maria Goretti was born on October 16, 1890, in Italy. She had five siblings. She worked with her parents on a farm. She could not read or write because she had never gone to school. By the time she was six, her family was forced to give up their farm to move and to work for other farmers because her family became so poor. After that, her father died of malaria and died. Maria's family became poorer and eventually shared their house with the Serenelli family. This family had an eighteen- year -old son named Alessandro. He filled his head with thoughts and images that would lead him to sinfulness. Many times he came to Maria trying to make her sinful also. Maria refused and Alessandro got really mad and stabbed her. Maria lived for twenty-four hours after being stabbed fourteen times by Alessandro. She died on June 6, 1902. She forgave Alessandro and prayed that he would turn to God in sorrow. In this inspiring true story of forgiveness, young Maria Goretti's life is filled with poverty and hardship, yet her love for God is steadfast. Even as she faces her own tragic end, Maria shrouds herself in a devoutness that will make her a saint.