Today, April 28, is the memorial of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla.
Born to Alberto and Maria Beretta in 1922, Gianna was the 10th of 13 children. Hers was a Christian family, a sister was a nun while her two brothers became priests.
As a student, Gianna was involved in charitable work. She became a physician and surgeon, and opened her own clinic. She pursued paediatrics as well, and then continued her works of charity.
In 1955, she married a God-fearing gentleman, Pietro Molla. While raising a family she continued with her medical practice, which she treated as God’s gift and her ministry.
During her pregnancy with her fourth child, Gianna was diagnosed with a fibroma on her uterus. Her doctor recommended an abortion as a way to save Gianna’s life. She refused, as she stood by the Church’s teachings and God’s will, and cared more for her unborn child than for her own life.
One week after giving birth to her baby, Gianna died of septic peritonitis in 1962 at age 39.
That fourth child, Gianna Emanuela, also became a doctor like her mother and is active in the pro-life movement.
Pope St. John Paul II beatified Gianna in 1994 and canonized her in 2004.
Gianna was the last saint John Paul II canonized before his death.