Maria was born in 1890 in Corinaldo near Ancona Italy, the third of six children, known for her cheerfulness and piety. When she was twelve, she was a victim of an attempted rape and was mortally wounded as she defended herself. She forgave her murderer shortly before she died in hospital in 1902. The culprit was imprisoned and experienced a conversion of heart. He was present at Maria’s canonisation in 1950 and ended his days as a Capuchin brother. – CTS New Daily Roman Missal 2012, p 2815
