I was channel surfing and came upon this Italian drama on the EWTN, which is run by the Roman Catholic Church. Being a former RC, I had heard the story of Maria Goretti while attending St. Anne's School in Ossining NY. In the 1960's we were taught by nuns who still wore the penguin like habits. They ruled with iron fists but I did learn to read and write from the sisters. At that age I did not truly understand the meaning of the word virgin. In 1902, at the age of eleven and just days short of her twelfth birthday, Maria was attacked by an older boy with bad intentions. She defended her honor, refusing his advances and succumbed to multiple stab wounds. The killer asked for forgiveness and swore that Maria died intact. A large number of female virgins have been made saints throughout the long history of the Holy Roman Church. As for the movie, it plays like a Lifetime movie of the week, with hammy acting and long ponderous stares. Martina Pinto is fine in the lead but I have not been lured back to the faith of my youth.
