SAINT GIANNA BERETTA MOLLA | KAIROS GLOBAL | MARCH 2018

Author: Bernadette Lawrence, Chennai, India

Saint Gianna Beretta Molla was an Italian medical doctor and a saint for our modern times. Her life is a witness of a faithful Catholic, successful working woman, devoted wife, and loving mother of four.

Gianna Beretta was born in Magenta, Italy as the tenth of thirteen children to Alberto Beretta and Maria de Micheli, both members of Third Order Franciscans. With daily Mass and family rosary as integral part of their family life, it is no wonder that there would be two priests and a nun from her family – with one of her brothers being Servant of God Enrico Beretta. She was an active participant in the parish life of Saint Peter and Archbishop Mario Righetti played an active role in her spiritual formation. 

In 1942 she began her studies in medicine in Milan. Outside of her schooling she was active among the youth of Catholic Action and St. Vincent de Paul Society. Gianna later received a medical diploma from Pavia College in 1949. She opened a medical practice, where she gave special attention to mothers, babies, the elderly and the poor, and these initial years of medical practice inspired her to specialize in Pediatrics at the University of Milan in 1952.

Gianna hoped to join her brother – a priest in the Brazilian missions – where she hoped to offer gynecological services to poor women. However her chronic ill health made this an impractical dream, and she had to be content with continuing her practice. Gianna never charged patients who could not afford to pay her fees. Often, senior citizens found money in their health card after leaving her office.

In December 1954, she met Pietro Molla – an engineer, and the two got engaged and later married on 24 September 1955 at the Basilica di San Martino in Magenta. They went to Saint Peter's Square as part of their honeymoon. They had three children – Pierluigi, Mariolina and Laura. 

In 1961, during the second month of her fourth and final pregnancy, Gianna developed a fibroma on her uterus. Following an examination, the doctors gave her three choices: an abortion which would save her life and allow her to continue to have children, or a complete hysterectomy which would preserve her life, but take the unborn child's life, and prevent further pregnancies or a risky surgery to remove the fibroma and continue with pregnancy to save the child’s life, but putting her own life in grave danger

Gianna opted for the removal of the fibroma since she wanted to preserve her child's life. She pleaded with the surgeons to save her child's life than her own. She sought comfort in her prayers and her living faith. After the operation, complications continued throughout her pregnancy, but Gianna spent the remainder of her pregnancy with unparalleled strength and insistent dedication for her tasks as a mother and a doctor. A few days before the baby was to be born, Gianna prayed the Lord take away any pain from the child. She realized and understood that she may lose her life during the delivery, but she was ready. Gianna was quite clear about her wishes, expressing to her family, "If you must decide between me and the child, do not hesitate: choose the child! I insist on it. Save the baby."

On 21 April 1962, Gianna Emanuela  (named after her mother) was born via Caesarean section. The doctors tried many different treatments and procedures to ensure both lives would be saved. However on April 28, 1962, a week after the baby was born, Gianna passed away from septic peritonitis.

Her daughter Gianna Emanuela still lives and is a doctor of geriatrics. Pietro Molla often told Gianna Emanuela that her mother's choice was one of conscience as both a mother and a doctor. 

"A woman of exceptional love, an outstanding wife and mother, she gave witness in her daily life to the demanding values of the Gospel. By holding up this woman as an exemplar of Christian perfection, we would like to extol all those high-spirited mothers of families who give themselves completely to their family, who suffer in giving birth, who are prepared for every labor and every kind of sacrifice, so that the best they have can be given to others." Pope John Paul II

By, Bernadette Lawrence, Chennai, India