ST. GIANNA BERETTA MOLLA (1922-1962)
Mother of a Family, Medical Doctor

Gianna Beretta Molla was born on 4 October 1922 in Magenta, Italy, the 10th of 13 children to Alberto and Maria Beretta. Five siblings died when they were young, and three entered the Religious life.

The solid Christian education that Gianna received at home (influenced by the Franciscan spirituality lived by her parents) convinced her of the necessity of prayer, gave her a great trust in divine providence and allowed her to understand the meaning of suffering when lived out of love. Gianna experienced life as a marvelous gift from God and had a most positive outlook on everything.

'No' to sin, all for Jesus

A spiritual retreat held in Genoa in March 1938 marked a "great leap" in her life, and she received a deeper awareness of the importance of living to the full a life in God's grace. She wrote: "I want to have a fear of mortal sin as if it were a snake; to rather die a thousand times than to offend the Lord". She also made the proposal to "do everything for Jesus. Each one of my works, every misfortune, I offer to Jesus".

Gianna was also no stranger to suffering, and four years later, both her parents died: her mother in April 1942, followed by her father in September of that year.

Mission as a medical doctor

During her years of secondary and university education, she balanced studies with generous service, dedicating her time and attention to the elderly and needy as a member of the St Vincent de Paul Society.

In 1950, after earning degrees in medicine and surgery from the University of Pavia, she opened a medical clinic in Mesero, near Magenta. She then specialized in pediatrics at the University of Milan in 1952, and thereafter was particularly focused on providing assistance to mothers and babies as well as helping the elderly and poor.

Together with her work in the field of medicine, considered from the beginning her "mission", she also offered her time to Catholic Action, working especially with very young children. She even found time to express her love for life through skiing and mountain climbing.

Grand vocation to motherhood

Gianna often reflected on what God desired of her, and through prayer and spiritual direction she believed the Lord was calling her to "form a Christian family".

Following a beautiful and holy engagement to Pietro Molla, also a member of Catholic Action, she was married on 24 September 1955 in St Martin's Basilica in Magenta, preparing for the special day by a triduum of prayer.

On 19 November 1956, to her great joy, she became the mother of Pierluigi; on 11 December 1957 she gave birth to Mariolina; and on 15 July 1959, Laura was born. As all three pregnancies had complications, Gianna was even more thankful to God for these blessed "gifts".

With extraordinary simplicity and balance she was able to harmonize the demands of being a mother, wife and doctor. She also continued her volunteer activities.

In September 1961, towards the end of the second month of her fourth pregnancy, Gianna was again touched by the mystery of suffering and pain: she had developed a life-threatening tumour in her uterus that required surgery. Before the operation, Gianna pleaded with the surgeon to spare the life of the child she was carrying and entrusted herself totally into God's hands. As a doctor she was well-aware of the gravity of her situation and of the risk of losing her own life or that of the child in continuing the pregnancy, although she confided this awareness to only a few.

'Do not hesitate: choose the child’

The operation was "successful" and the life of the child was spared. Gianna spent the remaining seven months until her baby's birth strong in spirit and unrelenting in dedication to her tasks as mother and doctor, always with the same peaceful smile on her face.

A few days before the child was due, Gianna told her husband with a firm voice and an inspired look: "If you must decide between me and the child, do not hesitate: choose the child, I insist on it. Save the baby".

On Good Friday, 20 April 1962, Gianna entered St Gerard's Hospital of Monza; the following day, Holy Saturday, Gianna Emanuela was born.

A few hours after her child's birth, Gianna began to experience severe pain due to septic peritonitis. Despite all efforts to ease her suffering and save her life, she died a week later on 28 April 1962. Until her last breath, Gianna repeated: "Jesus, I love you! Jesus, I love you!". She was 39 years old.

At the Sunday Angelus of 23 September 1973, Pope Paul VI defined Gianna as "a young mother from the Diocese of Milan who, to give life to her daughter, sacrificed her own, with conscious immolation".

Gianna Beretta Molla was beatified on 24 April 1994 by Pope John Paul II, during the International Year of the Family.