Gianna Beretta Molla | |
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| Born | 4 October 1922 Magenta, Kingdom of Italy |
| Died | 28 April 1962 (aged 39) Monza, Italy |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 24 April 1994, Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City by Pope John Paul II |
| Canonized | 16 May 2004, Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City by Pope John Paul II |
| Major shrine | Mesero Cemetery Masero, City, Lombardia, Italy |
| Feast | 28 April |
| Patronage | Doctors, mothers, wives, families, unborn, World Meeting of Families 2015 (co-patron) |
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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]
- ^ "The Daughter of a Saint Speaks of Her Mother's Holiness". National Catholic Register. 12 September 2011. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
- ^ "Saint Gianna Beretta Molla". Saints SQPN. 27 April 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
- ^ "Gianna Beretta Molla (1922–1962)". Retrieved 26 June 2017.