Saint Gianna Beretta Molla

Gianna Beretta was an Italian, born on the 4th October 1922, in Magenta, Italy. She was the 10th child in a family of 13 children. She grew up in a typical Italian Catholic family of the time receiving a Catholic education both at home and at school, engaging in the popular local sport of skiing and mountain climbing.

She was 20 years old when she started medical studies at University. Eventually, in 1949 she graduated from the University of Pavia with degrees in both medicine and surgery, so that in 1950 she opened a clinic in her hometown, Magenta. She continued with her studies , specialising in pediatrics at Milan University, giving special attention to mothers and babies.

At one time, Gianna had considered joining her brother, a priest, in Brazil. But she realized that her mission was in the field of medicine in her home country.  She became a member of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, dedicating apostolic service to the needy and the elderly. She also offered services to Catholic Action, a lay movement committed to spreading Catholic Social Teaching.

When she was 32 years old she met the engineer Pietro Molla, whom she married in 1955, embracing marriage and the building of a sound Catholic family as her vocation. Between 1956 and 1959, they had three children: Pierluigi, Maria Zita and Laura. Then in 1961, she became pregnant with her fourth child. 

Early in the pregnancy it was discovered that beside carrying a baby she was also carrying a tumor. Ruling out all other options including abortion, that could have saved her life but not of the baby, she opted for the attempt to remove the tumor and save the baby. The operation was successful and the pregnancy continued but not without complications. Gianna continued with her life and her commitments until the child, a girl whom she named Gianna Emanuela was born.

However, after the baby’s birth, Gianna developed septic peritonitis, an infection that spread to her bloodstream. She died on the 28th April 1962,  a week after giving birth.

Her daughter Gianna Emanuela grew up to be a physician herself. In 2004 she was present at the canonization of her mother, together with her father Pietro Molla and their family.

St. Gianna Beretta Molla , was canonized for her heroism in willing to die for her child as throughout her ordeal she insisted : “ If you must decide between me and the child, do not hesitate: choose the child.”