The Vatican Has a Surprise for Pilgrims Venerating St. Maria Goretti in the U.S.
More good news for those attending St. Maria Goretti’s Pilgrimage of Mercy that began days ago in the United States.
From the Vatican, the Apostolic Penitentiary issued a Plenary Indulgence under the usual conditions for all those who go to venerate St. Maria Goretti during this September-November tour.
Here it is:
In addition to veneration of St. Maria Goretti, the decree calls for the usual conditions to be met by pilgrims to gain the indulgence for themselves or for the deceased. A person must be in the state of grace.
- Make a sacramental Confession
- Receive the Holy Eucharist
- Pray for the intentions of the Holy Father, the Supreme Pontiff
- Have the interior disposition of being detached from sin, even venial sin
Early Surprises
Maria Goretti began her United States Tour in mid-September in New York. The first stop was Sing Sing Correctional Facility, a maximum security prison. Inmates had the occasion to venerate her relics. The stop was quite appropriate because her first miracle of sorts was when her unrepentant murderer serving a 30-years had an apparition of her in his prison cell six years into his sentence.
From the mercy extended to him from this youngest of all Catholic saints, he not only repented but transformed dramatically. He spread devotion to God and to Maria Goretti too, saying, “Maria’s forgiveness saved me.”
Maria Goretti got the royal treatment when she arrived early today (Sept. 29) in New York City. Father Joshua Caswell of St. John Cantius Church in Chicago where Maria will be in October (see tour schedule) emailed that Father Carlos Martins the tour director reported:
"A 26 police car motorcade escorted the body of St. Maria Goretti into Manhattan. St. Maria received every VIP treatment in a coordinated effect between the New York State Police, the New York Highway Patrol, and the New York Police Department. In a truly historic moment the world famous 5th Avenue, one of the most busy and prominent streets in New York, was closed so that St. Maria could make a grand entrance. In life St. Maria was known as nothing but a peasant girl. Now, she is treated as royalty."
We’re getting the royal treatment, too, with this Vatican decree of a Plenary Indulgence.
