Happy Advent, readers! Today we start my favorite liturgical season, as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
I’ll get right to the amazing St. Gianna, but first I would like to share again a post I wrote a whole year ago (I can’t believe that!) with just a few ideas I have for people hoping to enliven their marriage and family during the Advent season, including using a Jesse Tree and celebrating the Holy Family.
St. Gianna Beretta Molla
After writing my book and doing further research for this blog, I like to think I’m fairly well versed in married saints. But there is one fairly popular married Saint that I didn’t know as much about. St. Gianna Beretta Molla has become well-known and well-loved recently. When I read (and wrote) just a bit about her for this post for a novena to St. Gianna back in the spring, I knew I needed to revisit her life and learn more about her.
So here goes- 10 things I’ve learned (and think you should know) about St. Gianna Molla.
1. St. Gianna grew up in a big family.
Her parents had 13 children, though only eight survived to adulthood. Her parents were both members of the Third Order of St. Francis, and one of of her siblings is the Servant of God Enrico Beretta, so it was definitely a strong Catholic upbringing!
2. Gianna was always devoted to her faith and had a heart for service.
She was involved in Catholic Action and the St. Vincent de Paul Society, even during the busiest years of her medical education. She loved to care for those in need, especially the elderly.
3. Gianna was a pediatrician.
She graduated from medical school in 1949 from Pavia College in Italy with degrees in both medicine and surgery, showing her hard work and intelligence. After graduating, Gianna opened her own pediatric medicine practice. Gianna hoped to one day offer gynecological services to poor women alongside her missionary brother, but due to her own chronic health issues, this ended up not being possible.
4. Gianna married Pietro Molla in 1955.
St. Gianna referred to her marriage as a “Sacrament of love” and knew it was her path to heaven. Pietro passed away in 2010, but he was still alive when Gianna was canonized! This is the only time in Church history so far that someone has gotten to witness their own spouse’s canonization. Can you imagine being there to watch your spouse be recognized as a Saint?
5. The Mollas had four children on earth, and two miscarried babies in heaven.
Three of their children, Pierluigi, Laura, and Gianna, are still alive today! Her second child, Mariolina, died at age seven.
“Let us become collaborators of God in creation. That way we can give him children who experience him and serve him.”
A letter to her husband, Pietro
6. Gianna had a very difficult fourth pregnancy, and was advised to abort her child.
She had developed a fibroma on her uterus, and opted to only remove the fibroma rather than to end her child’s life via an abortion or a hysterectomy. As the pregnancy continued, the diagnosis got worse and the doctors became more worried.
7. Gianna died one week after giving birth.
Though her baby was delivered safely, Gianna’s health took a turn for the worse after the birth. As she suffered before her death, Gianna repeated “Jesus, I love you.” She was 39 years old when she died. The daughter who she gave her life to save, also named Gianna, is still alive today! Little Gianna is a doctor like her mama; she practices geriatric medicine.
8. St. Gianna was canonized on May 16, 2004.
The miracle that led to Gianna’s canonization could not have been more fitting. A mother prayed desperately to (then Blessed) Gianna to save her baby, as she had developed a uterine tear around 16 weeks and all amniotic fluid had drained away. The baby was miraculously delivered in perfect health despite the lack of fluid.
“Love is the most beautiful sentiment that the Lord has put into the souls of men and women.”
St. Gianna Molla
9. The first pro-life women’s healthcare center in New York is named for St. Gianna.
There are now three locations of the Center dealing with infertility, pregnancy, and teaching Natural Family Planning methods, among other things. You can read more about The Gianna Center here.
10. St. Gianna’s feast day is celebrated on April 28.
She is known as the patron of mothers, physicians, and unborn children, and has become one of the most beloved modern saints. April 28 is her feast day because it is the day of her birth into new life in Heaven.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gianna_Beretta_Molla
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