Our First and our Last Communions

by Riccardo Sanno

The story of an eleven-year-old girl who was murdered on this day in 1902 following a sexual assault is an extraordinary one. By any reasonable judgement, victims of sexual violence bear no guilt if they are unable to resist an attack. Nevertheless, Maria Goretti is honoured for her heroic witness, courage, and forgiveness. For a brief account of her story see here.

St Maria Goretti did not write about the Mass, but she lived its meaning profoundly. Her life reflected the sacrificial love, forgiveness and union with Christ that the Mass makes present. Having made her First Holy Communion only a short time before her death, she received her final Holy Communion with the same if not more fervour and devotion. May the same be true for those of us who have received the Eucharist over many years.