“Laban Lang”: The Courageous Faith of Saint Maria Goretti

Reflection on the 13th Sunday in the Ordinary Time and in celebration of the Feast of St. Maria Goretti by Fr Jason Laguerta

In today’s Gospel, Jesus offers one of the most comforting invitations ever spoken: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”  These words resonate deeply when we reflect on the life of Santa Maria Goretti, whose feast is celebrated on July 6.

For the parish where I am assigned now, where she is our beloved patroness, her story is not merely one of martyrdom but also a powerful testimony of faith, courage, and perseverance in the midst of relentless suffering.

Maria Goretti’s final hours were marked by unimaginable pain.  On July 5, 1902, at around three o’clock in the afternoon, she was brutally attacked and stabbed fourteen times by Alessandro Serenelli after courageously resisting his violent assault.  The wounds pierced her body and severely damaged her internal organs.  She was rushed to a hospital where doctors performed surgery, but medical resources were limited during that time, and anesthesia was unavailable.  

As she lay dying, Maria endured excruciating pain. She repeatedly begged for water, yet her condition prevented her from receiving it.  For approximately twenty-four hours, she suffered intensely before finally surrendering her soul to God on July 6.  Even in those final moments, however, she displayed extraordinary holiness by forgiving her attacker, saying that she wanted him to be with her in heaven someday.

Yet, her martyrdom was only the final chapter of a life already marked by hardship because long before her tragic death, Maria knew what it meant to labor under heavy burdens.  She was born into extreme poverty.  Her parents were farmers, but they did not own land. Instead, they worked as laborers on other people’s farms, moving from place to place in search of opportunities that might provide a better future for their family. 

Maria and her siblings had little access to education and there was often no money for basic necessities, that something as simple as a pair of slippers or shoes was considered a luxury beyond their reach.  Poverty was not merely a circumstance in Maria’s life; it was the environment in which she grew up and matured.  Life was a constant struggle for survival and because of their poverty, Maria’s family could not afford a home of their own, so they were forced to live in crowded, difficult conditions, sharing a small house with another family.  

The challenges became even greater when tragedy struck the family because when Maria was only nine years old, her father, Luigi, died.  With only her widowed mother left to raise the children alone, suddenly, Maria had to assume responsibilities far beyond her years.  She cared for her younger siblings, cooked meals, and helped manage the household while her mother worked tirelessly to provide for the family.  Her childhood was shortened by necessity.

Their situation became even more painful because of their living arrangement with the Serenelli family.  Rather than receiving compassion and support, Maria’s family often experienced neglect and humiliation because they were treated more like servants than equals.  Thus, emotional suffering was added to their material deprivation.  Yet, amid all these burdens, Maria never allowed bitterness to take root in her heart. She remained remarkably cheerful, generous, and faithful.

What is perhaps most striking is that Maria was only eleven years old when she demonstrated a courage that many adults struggle to possess.  Faced with violence and danger, she chose to remain faithful to her principles and her love for God.  This courage cost her life, as she refused to compromise what she knew to be right.  Looking at Maria Goretti, we see someone whose entire existence seemed filled with suffering, labor, and burdens; yet, we also see strength and courage.  We see remarkable resilience fueled not by human power but by faith in God.

Maria’s secret was her deep relationship with the Lord. She prayed the rosary faithfully and made every effort to attend mass and receive Holy Communion.  Even though she had only recently received her First Communion, the Eucharist became the center of her spiritual life.  Her strength came not from wealth, privilege, education, or physical power, but it came from her trust in God.

And as we prepare to celebrate her feast tomorrow, July 6, Maria Goretti gives us a simple yet powerful message: “Laban lang!”  Keep fighting.  Keep moving forward.  Do not lose hope.  Life may burden us with difficulties, disappointments, illnesses, family struggles, or personal failures.  Sometimes the weight we carry may feel overwhelming.  Yet, Christ reminds us, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”  The promise of Jesus does not mean that suffering will disappear immediately.  Rather, it means that we never carry our burdens alone.

There are many lessons that we, as adults, can learn from young people like Santa Maria Goretti.  We often think of children as fragile and easily discouraged, yet many young people display extraordinary courage and perseverance.  They face challenges that would overwhelm many adults, yet they continue moving forward.  They may stumble and fall, but they rise again.  Maria Goretti is a shining example of this truth.  Her life reminds us that true strength is not measured by physical power, social status, or worldly success.  Indeed, Maria’s true strength is measured by the ability to remain faithful, hopeful, and loving despite hardship.

Santa Maria Goretti stands before us not only as a model of purity and martyrdom but also as a witness to courageous faith.  Her life proclaims that holiness is possible even in poverty, suffering, and adversity.  As we honor her feast day, may we be inspired by her example.  May we entrust our burdens to Christ, draw strength from prayer and the sacraments, and face every challenge with unwavering faith.  Like Maria Goretti, may we keep our eyes fixed on God and continue to move forward with courage, repeating her timeless message to all who struggle: “Laban lang.  Keep fighting.  The Lord will give you rest.”

Transcribed by Agnes Riel

Photo from Sta Maria Goretti Parish Facebook page