The Power of Forgiveness

The story of Maria Goretti, the young virgin and martyr whose feast is celebrated today, is one that generations have read with a mixture of horror and fascination.Maria was only 11 years old when she was attacked and shortly died from injuries inflicted –murdered – by a would-be rapist. That’s the horrific part of her story. The fascinating part is Maria’s deathbed forgiveness of her attacker, and his subsequent conversion. Forgiveness might seem difficult, even impossible at times, but the most important thing to remember about forgiveness is that it’s good for us. That’s because we benefit far more than the person we have forgiven. So today, do something nice for yourself: Forgive someone.