Gianna Beretta Molla


Gianna Beretta Molla
Born(1922-10-04)4 October 1922
Magenta, Kingdom of Italy
Died28 April 1962(1962-04-28) (aged 39)
Monza, Italy
Venerated inRoman Catholic Church
Beatified24 April 1994, Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City by Pope John Paul II
Canonized16 May 2004, Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City by Pope John Paul II
Major shrineMesero Cemetery Masero, City, Lombardia, Italy
Feast28 April
PatronageDoctors, mothers, wives, families, unborn, World Meeting of Families 2015 (co-patron)

Gianna Beretta Molla (4 October 1922 – 28 April 1962) was an Italian Catholic pediatrician. Although aware of possible fatal consequences, Molla refused both an abortion and a hysterectomy during her pregnancy with her fourth child in order to preserve the child's life.

Molla's medical career followed the teachings of the Catholic Church; she believed in following her conscience while coming to the aid of others who required assistance.[1] Molla also dedicated herself to charitable work amongst the elderly and was involved in Catholic Action; she also aided the Saint Vincent de Paul group in their outreach to the poor and less fortunate.[2]

Molla's beatification was celebrated in 1994 and she was canonized as a saint a decade later in mid-2004 in Saint Peter's Square.[3]

  1. ^ "The Daughter of a Saint Speaks of Her Mother's Holiness". National Catholic Register. 12 September 2011. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  2. ^ "Saint Gianna Beretta Molla". Saints SQPN. 27 April 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  3. ^ "Gianna Beretta Molla (1922–1962)". Retrieved 26 June 2017.