Maria Teresa Goretti is an Italian virgin martyr who resisted and forgave the man who attacked her.
Born in 1890, Maria warded off a man who attempted to rape her at the age of 12, concerned more for the purity and state of her victimizer's soul. Stabbed fourteen times, Maria died the next day, forgiving her attacker, Alessandro Serenelli.
Alessandro experienced a conversion to Christ during his 30-year prison sentence and was present in Rome when Maria was canonized as a saint.
"I hope for salvation since I have a saint in heaven praying for me," he said.
St. Maria Goretti, pray for us!