St. Gianna Beretta Molla: Trusting God Alone | Franciscan Media Molla's medical career followed the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church; she believed in following her conscience while coming to the aid of others who required assistance. She recognized she may lose her life during delivery, but she was ready. April 14, 1928. The Mollas modeled an authentic Christian marriage, one where love and joy prevails in the midst of the modern worlds complexities. She and other women gained the right to vote when the Italian republic was established after World War II. Gianna had to choose between three options: There are several stages before a person can become canonized as a Saint in the Roman Catholic Church. Once this is proven, the Pope may canonize this person as a saint through a public proclamation. In December 1954, Gianna met Pietro Molla, an engineer who worked in her office, and they married in September 1955. In November 1956, to her great joy, she became the mother of Pierluigi, in December 1957 of Mariolina; in July 1959 of Laura. Pope Paul VI hailed her protection and love of life in his Angelus address on 23 September 1973. Save him. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. Save the baby.". Save the baby. She was the tenth of thirteen children in her family. She grew up in a devout Catholic home and quickly learned the value of prayer . Engaging with this idea from a young age, she applied her Catholic values to a career in medicine. She ultimately offered her life for the glory of God. Monica Rahilly, President Gianna Beretta Molla is the inspiration behind the Gianna Center in New York, the first Catholic health care center for women in New York dedicated to pro-life beliefs. Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. The doctors gave her three choices following an examination: an abortion, a complete hysterectomy, or the removal of the fibroma alone. The Congregation then determines if the person lived a life of ''heroic virtue.'' Who Is St. Gianna? - Catholic Action For Faith And Family The CCS issued their decree of validation at the closure of these three investigations on 27 September 1991. She also was unwavering in her devotion to the Catholic teachings on the sanctity of life, including what was then understood as a complete ban on abortion. I highly recommend you use this site! Some Christian denominations, such as Catholicism, recognize certain saints as able to intercede before God in prayer on behalf of those suffering from a particular ailment or to pray on behalf of a certain kind of believer. The family attended daily Mass and prayed the Rosary together. Pope John Paul II beatified Gianna Beretta Molla on April 24, 1994. 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Her selfless sacrifice is seen as a testament to the value of family and the importance of protecting the vulnerable. Molla gave birth to four children: Her sisters-in-law were Luigia (a nun) and Teresina (d. 1950). In fact, she was willing to give her own life to save the life of her child. She was the tenth of thirteen children in her family. The beatification process was opened under Pope John Paul II on 15 March 1980 and Molla became titled as a Servant of God. 6 Inspiring Facts About the Amazing Life of St. Gianna Beretta Molla Their second child, Maria Zita, in December 1957, and their third, Laura, in July 1959. Gianna was quite clear about her wishes, expressing to her family, "If you must decide between me and the child, do not hesitate: choose the child?I insist on it. The couple had 3 children, after which Gianna suffered two miscarriages. 1. Her funeral was an occasion of profound grief, faith and prayer. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Conscious immolation, was the phrase used by Pope Paul VI to define the act of Blessed Gianna, remembering her at the Sunday Angelus of September 23, 1973, as: A young mother from the diocese of Milan, who, to give life to her daughter, sacrificed her own, with conscious immolation. A few days before the child was due, although trusting as always in Providence, she was ready to give her life in order to save that of her child: If you must decided between me and the child, do not hesitate: choose the child - I insist on it. St. Gianna chose the path of love rejecting any method of treatment that endangered the life of the child and the tumor alone was removed. Abortion and the life of an unborn child is a hotly debated topic in modern times. An error occurred trying to load this video. St. Gianna Beretta Molla was an Italian pediatrician born in Magenta in the Kingdom of Italy on October 4, 1922. Jesus, I love you, the mother died. Gianna was a graceful and dedicated mother. She chose the vocation of marriage and considered this to be a gift from God. Maria Szemplinski. Just a few days after my beautiful baby girl was born I went up to heaven to be with Jesus. The Congregation for the Causes of Saints were convinced the process completed to an appropriate degree and issued a decree of validation for the cognitional process on 14 November 1986. Elizabeth Neville Saint Vincent dePaul Society and Catholic Action. In 1950, she opened a medical office close to her hometown. Her husband and their children, including Gianna Emanuela, attended her canonization ceremony, making this the first time a husband witnessed his wife's canonization. The atmosphere of the Beretta house was that of a spirit of sacrifice, authentic daily prayer, close attention to others and a generous devotion with the complete giving of one's life. She is buried in Mesero. Proof of at least two miracles performed by God through this person must be verified. It would claim her life a few days later, on April 28 at age 39. Plant the seeds of a lifelong faith with everyone's favorite Catholic saint toys! Holy Spirit,source of all perfection, give also to us wisdom, intelligence and courage so that, following Saint Giannas example and through her intercession we may serve every person in our personal, family and professional life, and thus grow in love and holiness. She earned degrees in medicine and surgery from the University of Pavia, eventually specializing in pediatrics. Saint Gianna Beretta Molla Shining Light Doll - Daywind Our task is to live wholly in the present moment. Saint Gianna Beretta Molla, We also have a simple version ofSaint Giannas storyfor the kids. She was very active in Catholic Action and worked with the St. Vincent de Paul Society to help the less fortunate. In this lesson, we will learn more about St. Gianna Beretta Morella, an Italian known for sacrifice and miracles attributed to her that resulted in her sainthood within the Roman Catholic Church. St. Catherine of Siena: Patroness for a Church in crisis. Circles of Hell in Dante's Inferno | What are the 9 Circles of Hell? Saint Gianna Beretta Molla was an Italian physician, wife, and mother who lived a life of selflessness and sacrifice. Sacrament of Holy Orders History & Symbolism | What are Holy Orders? Instead, she opted for a riskier surgery to remove the tumor in an attempt to save the baby. Her profound faith in God and dedication to serving others has left a lasting legacy! St. Gianna is known for her unwavering commitment to the sanctity of human life. Enjoy this prayer in honor of Gianna Beretta Molla! Her liturgical feast is celebrated on April 28. And so she turned her specialization to pediatrics. *With ecclesiastical approval + Angelo Mascheroni, Auxiliary Bishop of Milan, Facebook While the tumor was benign, its size threatened the life of the child. In 1952, Gianna specialized in pediatrics at the University of Milan and from that time forward, she was drawn to serving mothers, babies, the elderly, and the poor. She was told the chances of her baby's survival was little to none. Born in Magenta, Milan, Italy the tenth of thirteen children. In September 2015, the saint's daughter Dr. Gianna Emanuela Molla read a letter before Pope Francis during the 2015 World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia. Gianna was clear to her family and friends about what to do if there was a question of having to give preference to her life or the babys. St. Gianna Beretta Molla was an Italian pediatrician born in Magenta in the Kingdom of Italy on October 4, 1922. Stay up to date with the latest news, information, and special offers. Saint Gianna Beretta Molla is aPatron Saint of: Customer Service:cservice @franciscanmedia.org, Technical Questions:support @franciscanmedia.org, Writers GuidelinesPrivacy PolicyPost a Prayer RequestDonor Portal. The CCS soon followed on 18 June 1991. She was given three options in order to preserve her life: she could have an abortion, she could undergo a hysterectomy, or she could remove the tumor by itself. Their initial report is submitted to the bishop of their diocese and further investigation is performed. Who was St. Gianna Beretta Molla? - Study.com The Servant of God lies in the cemetery of Mesero (4 km from Magenta). This became an impossibility, however, because St. Giannas health was delicate and could not withstand the risks associated with such mission work. A woman of great faith, her life was guidedby joyful trust in Gods Providence and strong belief in the power of prayer. She was strongly religious from early childhood and was a member of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society. Catholic teaching affirms what medical science, the Natural Law, the Bible and unbroken Christian tradition affirm, the child in the womb has a fundamental Human Right to Life. In November of 1956, the Molla's had their first child, Pierluigi. Saint of the Day for Thursday, July 13th, 2023. Donna Meade, Our Founders: At three-years-old, Gianna and her family moved to Bergamo, and she grew up in the Lombardy region of Italy. Gianna Beretta was born outside Milan in 1922 to a large family of thirteen children; both of her parents were part of the Third Order of Saint Francis. 5 Inspirational quotes from St. Gianna Beretta Molla - Aleteia Wanting to preserve her child's life, Gianna opted for the removal of only the fibroma. Two miracles were required to declare her Blessed and a saint. #4 What key church teachings guided her life and ministry? 8 Reasons to Get to Know St. Gianna Brick House in the City Following Your example, she lovingly offered up her life, while giving new life. Saint Gianna Beretta Molla | St. Gianna | Catholic Pro-Life Saint She did not believe in killing her child through abortion, which would have gone against the direct teaching of the Catholic Church; and although she could have morally had the hysterectomy in order to save her own life, she did not believe this was an appropriate action either. Jrme Lejeune, Catholic Geneticist Who Discovered the Cause of Down Syndrome, 10 Fascinating Facts About 19th C. Italian Mystic St. Gemma Galgani, Priest Debunks Claims "Sound of Freedom" is Political, Calls All to Watch It & Protect Human Life, When Saint Benedict Fled Rome: His Secret for Living a Holy Life, 9 Inspiring Facts About Sts. Maria Zita, their second child, arrived in December of 1957. In this lesson, we will learn more about St. Gianna Beretta Morella, an. John Paul II granted the final approval on 20 December 2003, and formalization came at an ordinary consistory held on 19 February 2004. I insist on it. Although aware of the fatal consequences, Molla refused both a termination of pregnancy and a hysterectomy during her pregnancy with her fourth child. Mr. Molla is a most devout and humble man who is totally dedicated to bringing the spiritual help of Saint Gianna to the many who are in need, especially couples who are experiencing any. She had tremendous compassion for children, the elderly , and the poor. She was passionately devoted to her husband, and despite having miscarriages of her own she remained faithful to her own family as well. Gianna makes the Spiritual Retreat of St Ignatius. Gianna handled motherhood with grace and was able to harmonize all aspects of her demanding life. Follow him on Twitter at @HeinleinMichael. As a young girl, Gianna. In an era where the sanctity of human life is attacked on many fronts, it is encouraging to see people like St. Gianna Beretta Molla engaging in the much-needed work of caring for expectant mothers and dedicating herself to preserving the lives of those who would otherwise have no other advocate. St. Gianna Beretta Molla was born in Magenta, Italy on October 4, 1922. St. Gianna Beretta Molla (Born in Italy, 1922Died in 1962) While pregnant with her fourth child, Gianna developed a dangerous complication. Get unlimited access to over 88,000 lessons. After the operation, Gianna still suffered from complications, but she kept working hard as a doctor, wife, and mother, seeking comfort through her faith and prayers. The Life of Ven. Type on the field below and hit Enter/Return to search, Helping Catholics know & love the Lord and his Church, St. Gianna Beretta Molla with her first baby, Pierluigi, in 1956. Their third child, Laura was born in July of 1959. She opened up her own pediatrics office in 1952. Her funeral was an occasion of profound grief, faith and prayer. In less than 40 years, Gianna Beretta Molla became a pediatric physician, a wife, a mother and a saint! Create your account. She has also come to be associated with the pro-life movement within the Catholic Church. The doctors suggested a surgery to save her life, but it would destroy the life of her child, so Gianna refused. When Gianna was a teenager, her oldest sister died at the age of 26. We thank You because, through the gift of her life, we learn to accept and honor every human being. [1] The pair later married on 24 September 1955 at the Basilica di San Martino, in Magenta. You can help your . The pair visited Saint Peter's Square as part of their honeymoon. 31 were here. [5], The miracle that led to her beatification involved a Protestant Brazilian woman Lucia Sylvia Cirilo who gave birth to a stillborn child on 22 October 1977. The doctors found an unseen complication that caused a rectal-vaginal fistula, one that the hospital was not equipped to treat. Her parents had 13 children, although only eight of them survived to adulthood. What was the tumor called? It is hard to imagine the story of St. Gianna not being centered on her life as a wife and mother. The following week Gianna Molla died at home, and was buried in the cemetery of Mesero. Telegram ChannelWhatsApp Group 1WhatsApp Group 2Subscribe to our Email List, [See also: The Life of Ven. Twitter Saint Peter Lesson for Kids: Biography & Facts, Roman Emperor Hadrian | Reign, Accomplishments & Facts, Catholic Confirmation | Overview, Definition & Symbols, Eastern Orthodox vs. Roman Catholic | History & Differences, Guy de Maupassant's An Uncomfortable Bed: Summary & Analysis, Lion of the Tribe of Judah in the Bible | Overview, Symbol & History, 7 Catholic Sacraments | History & Importance. St. Gianna is known for her unwavering commitment to the sanctity of human life. She dedicated herself to religious study as a teenager, then began studying medicine in 1942. Monica Rahilly When I had a new baby growing in my belly I became very sick. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, Copyright 2022 Catholic Online. From this point on, Gianna began to take her faith more seriously. In December 1954, Gianna met Pietro Molla, an engineer who worked in her office. Before Fame She grew up in the Lombardy region of Italy. She was the tenth of thirteen children five died in infancy and the oldest died at age 26. On April 21, 1962, a healthy baby girl, Gianna Emanuela Molla was born. Beretta's uncle was Monsignor Giuseppe Beretta and one relative was Father Giovanni Battista Beretta. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. She was the tenth of thirteen children and had loving parents. Her heroic virtue, genuine holiness of life, selflessness, and quiet joy remind all of us that God entrusts us with a personal vocation. because she sacrificed her life for her 4th child. One of the nurses, Sister Bernardina de Manaus, was so distressed about this that she appealed for the intercession of Molla while looking at a small picture of her. Saint Gianna Beretta Molla. Beginning 7 July 1952, she specialized in pediatrics at the University of Milan.[3]. After earning degrees in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Pavia in 1949, she opened a medical clinic in Mesero (near Magenta) in 1950. In 1961, Gianna became pregnant with her fourth child. Saint Gianna Beretta Molla | St. Gianna | Catholic Pro-Life Saint Saint Gianna Beretta Molla was an Italian physician, wife, and mother who lived a life of selflessness and sacrifice. Gianna was a happy child, although she struggled with her school work and battled poor health. Amen. Catholic Online 177K subscribers Subscribe 785 91K views 5 years ago St. Gianna Beretta Molla was an Italian pediatrician born in Magenta, Italy on October 4, 1922. She was able to see You in the beauty of nature. The Holy Father in these words clearly refers to Christ on Calvary and in the Eucharist. However under Catholic moralitys principle of double effect, a hysterectomy could have been performed, even if it indirectly took the life of her child in the womb. St. Gianna Beretta Molla was an Italian pediatrician born in Magenta in the Kingdom of Italy on October 4, 1922. Perhaps the ultimate way is by sacrificing your life to save another. The postulation submitted the Positio dossier to the CCS later in 1989, after which a team of theologians assessed and approved it on 14 December 1990. The nurses attending to her prayed to a photograph of Molla, and soon the woman lost her pain and the doctors found that her condition was miraculously resolved. She was sixteen weeks pregnant in 2000 when she sustained a tear in her placenta that drained her womb of all amniotic fluid. Gianna Beretta Molla (4 October 1922 28 April 1962) was an Italian Roman Catholic pediatrician. [1] Molla also dedicated herself to charitable work amongst the elderly and was involved in Catholic Action; she also aided the Saint Vincent de Paul group in their outreach to the poor and less fortunate. It would claim her life a few days later, on April 28 at age 39. From 16 to 18 March 1938, she made the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius, but 1938 to 1939 saw a suspension in her studies when she was ill health. Gianna's sister Amelia dies at age 26. The Gianna Center in NY was the first pro-life Catholic healthcare center for women. St. Giannas Place is a registered 501(3) non-profit organization operated by caring and capable staff and volunteers through the generosity of donors. by C21 Center. The Society of St Gianna Beretta Molla asked that you explore this site and learn more about St Gianna. She received degrees in both medicine and surgery from the University of Pavia in 1949, and in 1950 she opened a medical office in Mesero, near her hometown of Magenta. Through her married love, she became a sign of Your love for the Church and for all men and women. Saint Gianna Beretta Molla | Franciscan Media St. Gianna Beretta Molla | EWTN Gianna Beretta Molla - Wikipedia Saint Gianna Beretta Molla | uCatholic He often told Gianna Emanuela that her mother's choice was one of conscience as both a loving mother and a doctor.[1]. As a result, she experienced life as a marvellous gift from God, had a strong faith in Providence and was convinced of the necessity and effectiveness of prayer. Medical experts[citation needed] approved this miracle on 5 March 1992, while theologians confirmed that the healing came after appealing for Molla's intercession on 22 May 1992.