St. Maria Goretti is a modern martyr for purity and an excellent example for our youth today.  In 1902, when not yet twelve years old, she defended her virginity  against the evil intentions of an eighteen year old youth by telling him such actions would be a sin and displeasing to God.  After receiving multiple stab wounds she forgave her attacker on her deathbed.  An apparition of the saint converted her unrepentant assailant while he was imprisoned for murdering St. Maria.  Pope Pius XII canonized her in 1950 and asked those in attendance to imitate her by cooperating with the grace of God in resisting attacks against chastity.  It is important to note that after serving thirty years in prison for the murder of St. Maria Goretti, Alessandro spent the rest of his life doing penance for his sins.  When he died in 1970 he warned against pornography which he recognized as a significant cause of his crime against St. Maria Goretti.