St. Giana Baretta Molla’s Feast Day on April 28th
Join us in celebrating St. Gianna Baretta Molla’s Feast Day on April 28th! St. Gianna is the namesake behind Gianna House— a local center for at-risk pregnant mothers.
Who is St. Gianna Baretta Molla?
Gianna Baretta Molla was born on October 4th, 1922 near Milan, Italy. Gianna was a physician, loving wife and working mother. Married in 1955, she found herself expecting their fourth child in 1961. During this pregnancy, doctors discovered a large fibroma on her uterus and recommended a hysterectomy. Knowing that a hysterectomy would result in the death of her unborn child, Gianna chose to just have the growth removed, preserving her child’s life. After surgery, complications followed throughout the pregnancy. Knowing that this delivery would be difficult, Gianna pleaded with her family and doctors, “If you must decide between me and the child, do not hesitate, choose the child.” The baby, Gianna Emanuela, was successfully delivered and Gianna died of septic peritonitis seven days later. When Gianna’s family is questioned about their mother’s choice, her daughter, Laura Molla answers, “My mother did not choose death”, but “at that moment she chose life for her child.” Gianna was beatified in 1994 and canonized a Saint on May 16, 2004. (via Gianna House)
Novena
Day 1: For All Women Facing Difficult or Challenging Pregnancies
Day 2: For All Healthcare Workers
Day 3: For Healthy, Supportive Marriages
Day 4: For Family Life
Day 5: For Service Organizations
Day 6: For the Faithful to be Inspired by Service
Day 7: For Families Facing a Difficult or Challenging Diagnosis
Day 8: For the Sick
Day 9: For All Mothers
Let us Pray:
O Blessed Mother, you received the Good News of the Incarnation of Christ, your Son, with faith and trust. Grant your protection to all pregnant mothers facing difficulties. Guide us as we strive to make our Parish Communities places of welcome and assistance for Mothers in need. Help us become instruments of God’s love and compassion. Mary, Mother of the Church, help us build a culture of life and a civilization of love, together with all people of good will, to the praise and glory of God, The creator and lover of Life. Amen!
