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The Church of Santa Maria Goretti in Vico nel Lazio: a place of faith built by a community
A few kilometres from Vico nel Lazio, in the hamlet of Pitocco, stands the Church of Santa Maria Goretti. It is not a centuries-old monument, but the symbol of a post-war community's faith. Its construction began in 1952, on land donated by engineer Giovan Battista Sterbini, and tells the story of popular devotion, bound to a young and beloved saint.
The commitment of the founders
Two key figures led this initiative: don Antonio Galuppi and Father Leopoldo. They mobilised local families to bring into being a new place of worship. The choice to dedicate it to Maria Goretti, canonised just two years earlier, was not a coincidence. The statue of the saint arrived in a procession as early as 1953, a gift from the Catholic Youth organisation of nearby Fiuggi.
From parish church to a new bell tower
The church became a parish in 1967, with its first parish priest, don Ettore Galuppi. The building we see today has grown over time, with parish grounds added in the 1970s. The most recent addition, however, is the bell tower, built for the Jubilee Year of 2000 thanks to the contribution of a local association — a gift offered to their patron saint.
The church is an active parish located in Contrada Pitocco. Visits are welcome. For specific information, it is advisable to consult the website of the Diocese of Anagni-Alatri.
