Thousands more stood in line to view her remains, which are inside the wax statue.
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Forgiveness: As Saint Maria Goretti was on her death bed she held a picture of the Virgin Mary and forgave her attacker before tragically dying of her injuries. At age 11, she was cornered in her home by a neighbor, 20-year-old Alessandro Serenelli, and he attempted to rape her. She used her right arm to fight off the attack to save her purity, which angered Serenelli.
Saint Maria Goretti’s relics are on tour as part of the “Pilgrimage of Mercy”, sponsored by The Congregation for the Causes of the Saints and the Treasures of the Church.
Saint: Visitors pray over the remains of Saint Maria Goretti, are displayed at Saint Francis Assisi Church on October 14, 2015 in Orland Park, Illinois. “It’s surreal that I saw the remains of a saint, and I’m in awe of the whole experience”, Goedert said.
The Madison parish is one of only two Wisconsin stops on the 53-city tour, along with one in Elm Grove.
Goedert, of Shorewood, grew up in the Catholic Church and had learned about the saints and their significance to her religion.
“The outpour(ing) of support and emotion from the pilgrims has been overwhelming”, Martins said.
There is still time to see Goretti’s relics this weekend.
Most of the faithful in Chicago view the arrival of the relics as timely and meaningful as the city has seen more than its fair share of violence.
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Saint Maria Goretti Catholic Church is holding special hours starting at 9:00 a.m. Friday and going until 7:00 a.m. Saturday.
