Courage Lessons from St. Maria Goretti and the Woman Suffering Hemorrhages

Last updated on: July 6, 2015 at 6:46 am by Lisa M. Hendey

Courage Lessons from St. Maria Goretti and the Woman Suffering Hemorrhages 2015-07-06T06:46:20-07:00 Lisa M. Hendey

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

“Paolo Veronese 006” by Paolo Veronese via Wikimedia Commons

Today we remember the short but poignant life of St. Maria Goretti, a martyr for the faith. The gospel we pray from Matthew 9 brings us another brave woman who has suffered from hemorrhages for twelve years:

A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him
and touched the tassel on his cloak.
She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.”
Jesus turned around and saw her, and said,
“Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.”
And from that hour the woman was cured.

We know from studying the life of St. Maria Goretti that she was a pious child whose faith meant the world to her. At the tender age of 12, she so prized her chastity that she fought off her rapist until the point of near death. But what strikes me as equally courageous is the compassion she summoned to forgive that man before her death.

At her canonization, Venerable Pope Pius XII taught:

Not all of us are expected to die a martyr‘s death, but we are all called to the pursuit of Christian virtue. So let us all, with God’s grace, strive to reach the goal that the example of the virgin martyr, Saint Maria Goretti, sets before us. Through her prayers to the Redeemer may all of us, each in his own way, joyfully try to follow the inspiring example of Maria Goretti who now enjoys eternal happiness in heaven.

Today, I am praying for the courage of my convictions, mentored by these two women.

“Maria Goretti” by Giuseppe Brovelli-Soffredini[1] (see here for possible life dates). – Original source of this reproduction is unknown. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons.

Today, I will:

Take my ailments in faith to the foot of the cross and believe with all my heart that faith can save me if only I draw near to Jesus with a heart full of trust. “Healing” may come in a variety of forms (not always my desired one!), and God’s perfect will for my life is always a cure.
Live my life with the faith and trust of St. Maria, fighting for what I know to be right and true. I will also forgive those against whom I am harboring any hurt or ill will and seek the forgiveness of those who I have hurt.

I’ll leave you with a short prayer that comes from my second book and invokes the intercession of St. Maria Goretti:

Precious St. Maria Goretti, you gave your life to hold on to the faith you loved so dearly.
Be with us in those moments when we do battle against the pressures and images of today’s world.
Ask God to grant us the grace to withstand temptations and to wisdom to make choices based on our values.
Let us follow your example of loving, forgiving and praying for those who have harmed us.
May we be like you were, a light for a world that is desperately in need of hope, of change and of love.

Amen

A question for you: What fears test your faith? How can you summon more courage in your life?

Previous Post

July 5, 2015

Lisa's Sunday Update Video for 7/5/15

Next Post

July 6, 2015 NC Area Friends: Join Me for One Day Retreat on "Grace of Yes"

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category @Pontifex Books Catholic Geek Stuff Catholic Moments Family Life Good Measures Liturgical Calendar New Evangelization News Reviews Rwanda Saints Speaking Tanzania Journal Top Catholic Tweets Travel Uncategorized Vocations Yes

Select a Month August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who wore a coat of many colors?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Moses Joseph Jacob Abel