St. Maria Goretti’s Relevance in the Age of Netflix and Reels

July 6, 2025:

In today’s digital world, what we see doesn’t just entertain us—it forms us. Turn on Netflix. Open Instagram. Even shows made for teens now treat sexual content as casual, normal—even funny. What was once sacred is now storyline. What was once private is now public. And what should be protected is too often performed.

But over a hundred years ago, an 11-year-old girl named Maria Goretti made a radically different choice. She didn’t have a phone. She didn’t face screens. But she faced pressure—the kind that demanded she give up her dignity.

She stood her ground and she paid the price. In a world trying to shape your worth, Maria reminds us: your soul is not for sale!

1. More Than Just “Saying No”

When Maria refused Alessandro Serenelli’s advances, it wasn’t just a denial. It was an act of spiritual clarity and moral strength. She believed that her life was sacred. Maria reminds us that real love begins with self-respect and boundaries. Her “no” was a yes to God, to truth, and to a deeper sense of who she was.

When I encounter a scene or reel that disturbs me, do I say no and scroll past it or continue out of curiosity?

Am I afraid to say “no” because I don’t want to seem old-fashioned or different?

2. The Digital Battlefield for the Mind

Today’s temptations are not just physical—they’re visual and mental. Even without seeking it, one is often exposed to sexual content on YouTube, Instagram, music videos and movies. These small exposures slowly shape our minds and influence how we look at others—and ourselves. Maria Goretti teaches us that purity begins in the heart and mind, not just in outward behaviour. 

Do I find myself justifying watching or listening to things that make me uncomfortable?

Would Jesus be happy to sit and watch the same shows with me?

3. Purity as a Gift, Not a Burden

Maria’s choice wasn’t fear-based, but rooted in love and a clear purpose. For many today, purity is misunderstood as something restrictive, when in fact, it’s a path that leads to freedom—freedom from guilt, comparison, anxiety, and spiritual emptiness.

In the midst of a culture that celebrates impulsiveness, Maria’s path teaches patience, reverence, and joy in waiting for what is true and lasting.

What do I really believe about purity—do I see it as a gift or as a burden?

What kind of love am I preparing myself for through the content I engage with?

4. Choosing What to Consume

Maria didn’t have a phone, but she made choices each day about what to look at, how to speak, how to love. We also make daily choices about what we consume—what we allow into our eyes and ears, even silently. While some content cannot be avoided, much of it can be filtered, muted, or rejected. Every small act of choosing what is good shapes the soul toward holiness.

Have I ever felt the Holy Spirit prompting me to close an app or stop watching something? Did I obey or ignore?

5. When Forgiveness can Transform

Maria’s holiness was not just in her refusal, but also in her forgiveness. She forgave Alessandro, prayed for his conversion, and became a channel of grace. He repented and later lived as a lay brother, attending her canonisation. In the digital world, where people often tear each other down or mock those who choose purity, forgiveness and compassion are radical. Maria reminds us that mercy can reach anyone—even those lost in darkness.

Have I judged others for the content they post or share?

Am I willing to pray for those who influence others negatively?

6. The Call to Courage in the Digital Age

St. Maria Goretti lived in poverty, unknown to the world. Yet her faith continues to echo in our generation. Her courage wasn’t loud—but it was life-changing. In a world of loud messages, digital trends, and constant comparisons, she invites us to embrace a quiet, inner strength—a strength that chooses purity, even when no one is watching. Holiness doesn’t mean disconnecting from the world—it means living in it with discernment, beauty, and faithfulness.

What do I want my digital footprint to say about me?

Have I watched content alone that I would not watch in the presence of others? If so, why am I not aware of God’s presence with me at all times?

Prayer

St. Maria Goretti, you who chose purity over pressure,

Dignity over fear, and forgiveness over hatred—

Teach us how to live with the same strength today.

Help us guard our minds and hearts in the digital age,

That we may honour God in all we see, share, and seek.

Amen.

By Catholic Connect Reporter