Saints
St. Gianna – Patron Saint of Unborn Children
St. Gianna Biography
St. Gianna Beretta Molla was a Roman Catholic saint, physician, and mother who lived from 1922 to 1962. She was born in Magenta, Italy, and was the tenth of thirteen children.
Gianna was a bright and talented student, and she excelled in her studies. She received her medical degree in 1949, and became a pediatrician. In 1955, she married Pietro Molla, and the couple had four children together.
Despite her busy career and family life, Gianna was deeply committed to her faith. She was an active member of her local Catholic community, and was known for her devotion to the poor and sick.
Gianna is perhaps best known for her decision to put the life of her unborn child ahead of her own. When she became pregnant with her fourth child, she was diagnosed with a fibroma on her uterus. The fibroma could have been removed through surgery, but the procedure would have resulted in the death of the child. Gianna chose to undergo a risky, but less invasive surgery in order to save the life of her unborn child. She died shortly after giving birth to her daughter, but her legacy as a selfless and courageous woman lives on.
In 2004, Pope John Paul II canonized Gianna as a saint, and she is now considered a patron saint of mothers, families, and physicians. Her feast day is celebrated on April 28th.
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Detailed Biography of the Life and Legacy of St Gianna Beretta Molla
St Gianna Beretta Molla is a modern saint who exemplifies the virtues of faith, love, courage and sacrifice. She was a devoted wife, mother and doctor who chose to give her life for her unborn child. In this blog post, we will explore her remarkable story and learn from her example.
Early Life and Education
Gianna Francesca Beretta was born on October 4, 1922, in Magenta, near Milan, Italy. She was the tenth of thirteen children in a devout Catholic family. Her parents, Alberto and Maria Beretta, were active members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and instilled in their children a strong sense of charity and service to the poor.
Gianna grew up with a joyful spirit and a love for life. She enjoyed skiing, mountain climbing, music, art and fashion. She was also deeply committed to her faith and joined Catholic Action, a movement that aimed to promote Christian values in society. She had a special devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to Mary, whom she considered her heavenly mother.
Gianna felt called to the medical profession from an early age. She studied medicine at the University of Pavia during World War II, despite the difficulties and dangers of the time. She graduated with a degree in medicine and surgery in 1949 and opened a clinic in Mesero, near her hometown. She specialized in pediatrics at the University of Milan in 1952 and dedicated herself to caring for mothers, babies, the elderly and the poor.
Marriage and Family
Gianna met Pietro Molla, an engineer, at a Catholic Action gathering in 1954. They fell in love and got married on September 24, 1955, in the Basilica of St. Martin in Magenta. They shared a common vision of marriage as a sacred vocation and a path to holiness. They also shared a passion for nature and outdoor activities.
Gianna and Pietro were blessed with four children: Pierluigi, born in 1956; Mariolina, born in 1957; Laura, born in 1959; and Gianna Emanuela, born in 1962. Gianna balanced her roles as a wife, mother and doctor with grace and harmony. She saw her family as a gift from God and her work as a mission. She was attentive to the needs of her husband and children, as well as to those of her patients and friends.
Heroic Choice
In September 1961, Gianna was pregnant with her fourth child when she discovered that she had a fibroma, a benign tumor, in her uterus. The doctors advised her to have an abortion or a hysterectomy, which would have ended the life of her unborn child. Gianna refused both options and asked the doctors to remove only the tumor and spare the child.
She entrusted herself to God’s will and prayed for a miracle. She also told her husband: “If you must decide between me and the child, do not hesitate: choose the child – I insist on it. Save him.” She was aware of the risks involved in continuing the pregnancy, but she trusted in God’s providence.
On April 21, 1962, Gianna gave birth to a healthy baby girl, whom she named Gianna Emanuela. However, she developed an infection after the delivery and suffered from severe pain. She refused any painkillers that could have harmed her baby through breastfeeding. She offered her suffering for her child and for the Church.
On April 28, 1962, one week after giving birth, Gianna died at the age of 39. She was surrounded by her husband and children, whom she kissed goodbye with these words: “Jesus – I love you – Jesus – I love you.”
Canonization and Legacy
Gianna was beatified by Pope John Paul II on April 24, 1994, and canonized by him on May 16, 2004. Her husband Pietro and their children attended both ceremonies. She is the first married woman physician to be canonized by the Catholic Church.
St Gianna is the patron saint of mothers, physicians, unborn children and pro-life movements. She is also an example for all Christians who are called to follow Christ in their daily lives. Her life shows us that holiness is possible in every state of life and that love is stronger than death.
St Gianna’s relics are kept in the Sanctuary of St Gianna Beretta Molla in Mesero, Italy. Her daughter Gianna Emanuela continues to spread her mother’s message of faith and love around the world.
St Gianna Beretta Molla, pray for us!
Why is St. Gianna the patron saint of unborn children?
St. Gianna Beretta Molla is the patron saint of unborn children because of her selfless sacrifice for the life of her unborn child. When Gianna became pregnant with her fourth child, she developed a tumor that required surgery. The doctors offered her the option to terminate the pregnancy in order to save her own life, but Gianna refused, stating that she was willing to sacrifice her own life for the life of her unborn child. She died just a week after giving birth to her daughter, who was born healthy.
Gianna’s selfless love and sacrifice for her unborn child have inspired many people and have made her a beloved patron saint of mothers, physicians, and unborn children. She is a powerful example of the value of life and the importance of protecting and defending the lives of the most vulnerable.
Prayers to St. Gianna
Prayer of Intercession to St. Gianna
O Lord, You who are the source of all life, grant that I may always respect the sacredness of human life, especially the life of the unborn. Help me to be generous with my time, my love, and my resources, so that I may bring Your healing and hope to all those in need. O Lord, You who are the giver of all good gifts, I thank You for the blessings You have given me. Help me to use my gifts wisely, always seeking to serve You and others. Grant that I may be a shining example of Your love to all those around me. Amen
Prayer to St. Gianna
O Mary, mother of mercy, I turn to you in my time of need. Help me to trust in Your loving care and to find hope in times of darkness. Grant that I may always remember Your sweet presence in my life and find comfort in Your maternal love. Amen
Prayer to St. Gianna
O Mary, mother of Jesus and mother of all, help me to imitate your virtues of faith, hope, and love in my own life. Grant that I may be a worthy mother to my children, always putting their needs above my own. Help me to be strong in times of trial and to always trust in Your loving care. Amen.
Quotes by St. Gianna
“I’m ready to suffer and to give my life for the baby. It’s a small price to pay for the gift of life.”
“The most important things are the things that cannot be taken away.”
“Love is a true force, capable of supporting human life.”
“The love of a family is life’s greatest blessing.”
“We must strive to be worthy of the love of those around us.”
Children’s Story about the life of St. Gianna
In a small town in Italy, there was a kind and compassionate girl named Gianna. Gianna was very bright and loved to help others, especially the sick and the poor. When she grew up, she became a doctor and used her skills to help others.
One day, Gianna married a kind and loving man named Pietro, and they had four beautiful children together. Gianna loved being a mother and always put her family’s needs before her own.
When Gianna was pregnant with her fourth child, she became very sick and needed to have surgery. The doctors told her that she could save her own life by ending the pregnancy, but Gianna knew that her unborn child was a gift from God and was determined to give her child the chance to live.
Gianna bravely sacrificed her own life so that her child could be born healthy. Even though she was no longer with her family on earth, her love and sacrifice lived on in the hearts of her loved ones.
Years later, Gianna was recognized for her selfless love and was made a saint by the Catholic Church. She is now known as St. Gianna and is the patron saint of mothers, physicians, and unborn children. Children all over the world pray to St. Gianna for strength and guidance, and her story serves as a reminder of the power of love and selflessness.
What are lessons learned of St. Gianna?
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The value of life: Gianna was willing to sacrifice her own life in order to give her unborn child the chance to live. This teaches us the importance of valuing and protecting all human life, especially the lives of the most vulnerable.
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The power of selflessness: Gianna put the needs of others before her own, even in the face of great hardship. This teaches us the importance of selflessness and generosity in our relationships with others.
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The importance of faith: Gianna was deeply devoted to her Catholic faith and relied on her belief in God to guide her through difficult times. This teaches us the value of having a strong faith and seeking guidance from a higher power in our own lives.
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The importance of family: Gianna loved and cherished her family, and was willing to make great sacrifices for their well-being. This teaches us the value of strong and loving relationships with our families and the importance of putting their needs before our own.
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The power of love: Gianna’s love for her family and her faith inspired her to make great sacrifices and to always put the needs of others before her own. This teaches us the transformative power of love and its ability to inspire us to be our best selves.
Feast Day of St. Gianna
Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St. Gianna on April 28th.
Saints Similar to St. Gianna
You may also be interested in reading the Biography of St. Gianna Beretta Molla. St. Gianna and St. Gianna Beretta Molla share similar names and are both recognized as saints. There are no direct connections to other saints in the list. Next up: Biography of St. Gianna Beretta Molla
Also check out our handmade St. Gianna Medal and St. Gianna Rosary and St. Gianna Rosary Bracelet.