Catholics United for the Faith

St. Gianna Berretta Molla

St. Bernadette Soubirous Chapter has announced that the chapter will be changing its name to:

St. Gianna Beretta Molla Chapter.

"This name change was a consensus of our chapter's directors since much of our program development, evangelization, and catechesis focused on culture of life issues and we have had great success with our Holy Family Conferences.

A change of name is fitting since St. Gianna has become the patroness of the pro-life causes throughout the world, and of Catholic families devoted to the practice of authentic Catholicism. I am sure that St. Bernadette will continue to intercede for us as well, as she was so insistent on defending the truth, even if it meant she could be "sent off to a convent for the rest of her life," as her pastor threatened in an unsuccessful effort to shake her story of Our Lady’s appearances to her.

In all truth, St. Gianna is a heroic witness to life, to family values and of the fullness of Catholic truth to our generation. Her story should be celebrated and promoted everywhere, and we will do that by naming our local chapter in her honor as we invoke her intercession in all we do.”

- Mike Mohr Chapter Chairman

Brief Summary of St. Gianna’s Life

Blessed Gianna Beretta Molla was born in Magenta (Milan), Italy, on 4 October 1922, the 10th of 13 children. Already as a young girl she willingly accepted the gift of faith and the clearly Christian education that she received from her excellent parents. As a result, she experienced life as a marvelous gift from God, had a strong faith in Providence and was convinced of the necessity and effectiveness of prayer.

She diligently dedicated herself to studies during the years of her secondary and university education, while, at the same time, applying her faith in generous apostolic service among the elderly and needy as a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. 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. She specialized in pediatrics at the University of Milan in 1952 and thereafter gave special attention to mothers, babies, the elderly and the poor.

While working in the field of medicine--which she considered a "mission" and practiced as such--she increased her generous service to Catholic Action, especially among the "very young" and, at the same time, expressed her joie de vivre and love of creation through skiing and mountaineering. Through her prayers and those of others, she reflected on her vocation, which she also considered a gift from God. Having chosen the vocation of marriage, she embraced it with complete enthusiasm and wholly dedicated herself "to forming a truly Christian family."

She became engaged to Pietro Molla and was radiant with joy and happiness during the time of their engagement, for which she thanked and praised the Lord. They were married on 24 September 1955 in St. Martin's Basilica in Magenta, and she became a happy wife. In November 1956, to her great joy, she became the mother of Pierluigi; in December 1957 of Mariolina; in July 1959 of Laura. With simplicity and equilibrium she harmonized the demands of mother, wife, doctor and her passion for life.

Blessed Gianna Beretta Molla, protectress of mothers and families, died in 1962 as a martyr of maternal love . In September of 1961, at the age of 39, Blessed Gianna was pregnant with her fourth child when physicians diagnosed a large ovarian cyst which required surgery. The surgeon suggested that Gianna undergo an abortion in order to save her own life. Gianna's decision was prompt and decisive: "I shall accept whatever they will do to me provided they save the child." She underwent the surgery but her fate was sealed. The following year, on Good Friday, Gianna was admitted to Monza Maternity Hospital. Her daughter, Gianna Emanuela, was born the next day but Blessed Gianna expired seven days later, on April 28, 1962.

St. Gianna Prayer

"0 Jesus, I promise You to submit myself to all that You permit to befall me, make me only know Your Will. My most sweet Jesus, infinitely merciful God, most tender Father of souls, and in a particular way of the most weak, most miserable, most infirm which You carry with special tenderness between Your divine arms, I come to You to ask You, through the love and merits of Your Sacred Heart, the grace to comprehend and to do always Your holy Will, the grace to confide in You, the grace to rest securely through time and eternity in Your loving divine arms."-- Saint Gianna

Please visit Blessed Gianna Society's website

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