In honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month, Bishop Eduardo Nevares of the Diocese of Phoenix celebrated a special Mass, in which the diocese asked for the intercession of St. Maria Goretti, a martyr and patron saint of rape victims.

“After Mass, we planted pinwheels, which are a symbol of hope,” the diocese posted on Facebook. “St. Maria Goretti, pray for us.”

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The Children's Bureau says the designation provides an opportunity to spread awareness about child abuse and highlight the importance of community collaboration in identifying and preventing abuse. 

Pope Francis spoke about the issue of child abuse at the “Promoting child safeguarding in the time of COVID-19 and beyond” conference in Rome last November, according to the Vatican. 

In his speech, the pope lamented the occasions when Catholic adults have failed to protect the children in their care. The Vatican said he described the "pain and shame of not having always been good guardians, protecting the minors entrusted to us.” 

He also renewed his call for Catholics to focus on eradicating abuse in all its forms, but especially when it involves children. 

Pope Francis expressed his hope for Catholic adults entrusted with the care of children: "May they be promoters and custodians of a renewed educational alliance between the generations and between the different contexts in which minors grow up, capable of stimulating between them a generative and protective connection, especially in this complex time of the pandemic."

St. Maria Goretti was 11 when an 18-year-old man tried to rape her, according to Catholic.org. Maria resisted him and cried out, "No! It is a sin! God does not want it!" 

She told her attacker she would rather die than give in, and he proceeded to stab her 14 times, the group says.

St. Maria’s family found her and rushed her to the nearest hospital, where the doctors were unable to save her. Before she died, Maria forgave her attacker.

The man was sentenced to 30 years in prison. While in prison, Maria appeared to him in a dream, and when he awoke, he converted, Catholic.org said.