The body of the youngest saint in the Catholic Church arrived in Chicago Monday morning.
A police escort helped bring the remains of Saint Maria Goretti to Saint John Cantius Church shortly before 7 a.m.. It was the first time the remains of the saint, who died in 1902 at the age of 11, have been brought to this country.
She is considered a deputy head of state of the Vatican, and six federal agents from the U.S. Department of HOmeland Security have been assigned to safeguard her body. A Chicago Police Department honor guard also will be on hand.
Mass was celebrated Monday after her arrival, with a special Tridentine Mass scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
She was born in Italy, and died after she was stabbed by a neighbor who tried to rape her. Before she died, she forgave him, according to mariagoretti.com, the web site where more details about what is being called the Pilgrimage of Mercy can be found.
Her remains arrived in New Jersey in September, and have been touring the country since then, with appearances scheduled through mid-November.
Thousands are expected to view her remains at the Chicago church, 825 N. Carpenter St., through 6 a.m. Tuesday, when they will be brought to the next tour stop, St. John Vianney Church in Northlake. Other Illinois stops are in Orland Park on Wednesday, in Plainfield on Thursday and in Belleville, near St. Louis, next Monday, Oct. 19.
