St. Gianna Beretta Molla
1922-1962
📅 Feast Day: Apr 28
📖 Life Timeline
1922
Born in October 4, 1922 AD, Monza, Italy
1922
Born Oct 4, 1922 in Pizzighettone, Italy, to a medical family
1955
in obstetrics-gynecology
1961
cy and the Movement for the Right to Life
1962
en at the cost of my own
2004
lly and died the next day at age 39
1994
Canonized — 1994 by Pope John Paul II
✝ Biography
Born Oct 4, 1922 in Pizzighettone, Italy, to a medical family. Studied medicine at the University of Pavia, specializing in obstetrics-gynecology. Married Pietro Molla in 1955, had three children. Active in pro-life advocacy and the Movement for the Right to Life. In Feb 1961, pregnant with her fourth child, she discovered a large uterine tumor. Doctors offered a hysterectomy that would save her but kill the fetus, or a partial surgery that risked her life but could save the baby. She chose the latter: 'I can't take away the life of my child, even at the cost of my own.' The surgery on Apr 23, 1962 saved the daughter (Giannina) but Gianna bled internally and died the next day at age 39. Canonized in 2004 by John Paul II. Patron of unborn children, mothers, and medical professionals.
🛡 Patronage
Patron of: Mothers, pregnant women, abortion victims, physicians, and the pro-life movement.
💬 Words of the Saint
I am resolved to sacrifice myself, if necessary, to save my child.
📜 Key Facts
Born
October 4, 1922, Pizzighettone, Italy
Died
April 28, 1962 AD, Pavia, Italy
Feast Day
Apr 28
Canonized
1994 by Pope John Paul II
🕊 Legacy
Gianna's choice to sacrifice her life for her unborn child became the defining moment of the modern pro-life movement. She is invoked by pregnant women worldwide. Her story is taught in medical schools as an example of medical ethics.
📜 Personal Writings
Read excerpts from the saint's own words — their personal letters, spiritual writings, and teachings.
📖 Diary
On the Gift of Life
Life is a gift from God, a sacred trust, a precious treasure. We must respect life in all its stages, from conception to natural death. We must protect the unborn, care for the sick, comfort the dying. We must be defenders of life, promoters of the family, servants of the Gospel.
— St. Gianna Beretta Molla
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