St. Gianna Beretta Molla

Gianna Beretta was born October 4, 1922 in Magenta, Italy. Thanks to her devout parents she had a strong faith from her early years. She loved skiing and hiking and was very cheerful. While working hard at her university studies, she served the poor and the elderly in the St.Vincent de Paul Society and youth in Catholic Action. After earning her medical degree Gianna opened a clinic in Mesero and attended the University of Milan to become a pediatrician. She considered her work as a doctor her vocation. On September 24, 1955 she married Pietro Molla. The couple had their first child, Pierluigi in November 1956. Gianna continued to work as a doctor, balancing family life and her medical vocation. She had her second child, Mariolina in 1957, and her third baby, Laura in 1959. In September 1961, when two months pregnant, she developed a large tumor in the uterus. Her doctor suggested either an abortion with further treatment or a hysterectomy (which would also kill the baby), but Gianna fought to save her child’s life and instead had the tumor removed, knowing that complications could risk her own life later on. Her daughter “little Gianna” was born by C-section on April 21, 1962, but Gianna developed a septic infection as result of her choice of treatment for the tumor and despite the best efforts to save her, she died on April 28, after exclaiming “Jesus, I love you.” Her family reacted with profound grief, but deep faith. As people learned her story, many miracles were worked through her intercession. Gianna Beretta Molla was canonized in 2004, with her husband and three surviving children present. Her feast is April 28. Her daughter Gianna followed in her mother’s footsteps and is a doctor specializing in treating the elderly.