Saint Maria was born into a farmer’s family. Her father died while she was still very young, and her mother had to tend to the farm and struggled feeding the children. Maria work hard cleaning, cooking, sewing, and watching her youngest sister. An 18-year old neighbor (or perhaps older brother), Alessandro, tried to rape Maria, but she fought him saying that it is a mortal sin. Maria would rather die than lose her virginity. Alessandro ended up stabbing her 14 times. At the hospital, Maria forgave Alessandro and died while looking at a vision of Mary holding a cross to her chest. Years later, Alessandro, who was still unrepentant, had a dream where Maria gave him lilies. He was a changed man and lived the rest of his days devoted to God.
