प्लॉट

In 1902 in the disease-ridden Pontine Marshes, a disease-ridden region, 12-year-old Maria Goretti lives with her parents, poor farmhands, in the house of Serenelli, a heavy-drinking farmer who offered them board and lodging. Serenelli's 18-year-old son Alessandro is sexually attracted to the pious Maria, who resists his advances. One day the young man murders her because she won't give in to him. Before she dies, Maria forgives her assailant. After her death she is canonized as a saint.—Guy Bellinger

From the putrid, malaria-infecting marshes comes a heavenly lily. The Pontine Marshes are the backdrop of the true story of the courageous 12-year-old Maria Goretti. In the early 1900s, the Goretti family must work as tenant farmers for the Serenellis, Giovanni and his 18-year-old son Alessandro. Although a diamond in the rough, Maria is rich in goodness and kindness which makes her the delight of her family and neighbors. However, Maria's innocent friendship with Alessandro turns dark as his unholy desires turn murderous when she resists his sexual advances. Especially because she is so young, Maria's heroism is not only admirable, but her ultimate act of forgiveness is inspirational. In 1950, she was the youngest saint to be canonized.—Gina Molinelli