Saint Maria Goretti’s heroic witness of purity and forgiveness make her one of the Church’s most beloved saints. However, it was not the manner of her death that led to her canonization, but her exemplary life of holiness, caring for her family in an environment of extreme poverty and placing Jesus first in her life. Her willingness to forgive her murderer and desire to help him get to Heaven show her total trust in God’s love. 

This series contains moments of extreme intensity. There are references throughout to Alessandro’s ‘terrible crime.’ The moments leading up to his attempted assault and Maria’s murder are portrayed. While the violent event itself is not portrayed, later dialogue references the number of times that Maria was stabbed, and the amount of bleeding she suffered. Doctors tell Maria’s mother that they will have to operate on her without anesthetic. In the courtroom, a lawyer tells the judge that Alessandro killed Maria ‘when she denied his advances.’ Alessandro screams and lunges at a priest who comes to visit him while he is in prison.