To Truly Forgive Someone

Saint for all ages

Truly there is no age limit to be a saint. St Maria Goretti became one when her life was cut short after a horrendous physical suffering at the age of 11. Besides purity, her greatest virtue was the perfect forgiveness she had for her killer. Like St Paul said in Romans 5:7: “rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die.” In like manner, often with difficulty does one forgive when being hurt, though for a sincere apology, one may try to forgive. To forgive completely without being asked reminds us of Christ who said on the cross: ”Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing” (Lk 23:34). The story of St Maria Goretti is a story of pardon and mercy which brought about repentance and conversion, an example that all Christians should emulate. Forgiveness, done out of mercy and love, is quintessentially Christian: “Pardoning offences becomes the clearest expression of merciful love.” (Pope Francis Misericordiae Vultus)