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Saint Gianna Molla

1922–1962

Saint Gianna Molla, 1922–1962
April 28

Saint Gianna Molla was a doctor who lived in Italy. She took care of babies and children and had four children of her own. Saint Gianna knew that the way to be happy is to give to others, especially your family. When she was pregnant with her last baby, she had a very dangerous operation. She knew that she might die if she had the surgery, but because she was generous with everything she had, she wanted to make sure she gave her baby the gift of life. She did die after the baby was born, but she was happy her baby lived.

Discuss: Whom do you know who chose life and lived the Fifth Commandment?

Saint Gianna Beretta Molla was a doctor who lived in Italy. She took care of babies and children and had four children of her own. Saint Gianna knew that the way to be happy is to give to others, especially your family. When she was pregnant with her last baby, she had a very dangerous operation. She knew that she might die if she had the surgery, but because she was always generous with everything she had, she wanted to make sure she gave her baby the gift of life. She did die a week after the baby was born, but she was happy her baby lived.

Saint Gianna is patron of mothers, physicians, and preborn children. She held degrees in medicine and surgery from the University of Pavia, and specialized in Pediatrics—medicine for children—at the University of Milan. Gianna was active in Catholic Action and her local Saint Vincent de Paul Society. She loved to wear pretty clothes.

Activity
Giving
Interpersonal

Have the child list the members of their family or surrogate family/caretakers so that they can make a plan to be generous with what they have.

  • Without spending any money, have them list something they can give each member listed. It can be a hug, a poem, a card of thanks, an artwork, etc. It should be given in love.
  • After they have made the list and chosen a gift for each person listed, challenge them to do each one.