MOLLA, GIANNA (JOAN) BERETTA, BL.

Physician, mother, "Martyr for Life"; b. Magenta near Milan, Lombardy, northern Italy, Oct. 4, 1922; d. there April 28, 1962.

Gianna was the tenth of thirteen children of Alberta Beretta and Maria de Micheli—who ensured that she received a Catholic education. Gianna began her apostolate of caring for the sick and elderly as a member of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society while still in school. Gianna was also a leader in the catholic action Movement, organizing retreats and spiritual exercises.

Upon graduating from the University of Pavia with degrees in medicine and surgery (1949), she practiced medicine with her brother Ferdinando Beretta at Merero (near Magenta) and studied pediatric medicine at the University of Milan (1950–52). After completing her education she devoted more time to providing medical attention to the indigent.

She married engineer Pietro Molla (Sept. 24, 1955) with whom she had three children: Pierluigi (b. September 1955), Mariolina (b. December 1957), and Laura (b. July 1959). In the second month of her fourth pregnancy, Gianna was diagnosed with a large uterine fibroma that required surgical removal. As a doctor she knew that her best chance for survival would mean killing the baby in her womb; nevertheless, she pleaded with the surgeon to save the life of her child regardless of the risk to her own life. Her daughter Gianna Emanuela was born, April 21, 1962. Gianna Beretta Molla, however, died one week later.

Her body lies in the cemetery of Mesero (near Magenta). Her process for beatification was opened in Rome, March 15, 1980. She was declared venerable in 1991. Her husband and three children attended Gianna's beatification by Pope John Paul II, April 24, 1994 (Year of the Family). Patroness of healthcare workers, mothers, professional women, the prolife movement, spouses, and unborn children.

Feast: April 28 (Archdiocese of Milan).

Bibliography: Gianna Beretta Molla, Il tuo grande amore mi aiuterà a essere forte. Lettere al marito (Cinisello Balsamo, Italy 1999). g. pelucchi, Una vita per la vita (Turin 1989). f. da riese, Per amore della vita. Gianna Beretta Molla medicoe madre (Rome 1994).

[k. i. rabenstein]