Saint Gianna Beretta Molla
- Feast
- 28 April
- Patron of
- mothers, physicians and unborn children
Born in Magenta, near Milan, in 1922, Gianna Beretta qualified as a doctor, specialised in paediatrics and ran a practice while giving her spare time to Catholic Action. In 1955 she married Pietro Molla, an engineer, and they had three children. She died in April 1962, a week after the birth of her fourth.
Early in that last pregnancy doctors found a fibroid growth in her uterus. She chose the operation that would spare the child over the ones that would have ended the pregnancy, and asked that the baby be saved first. John Paul II canonised her in 2004, with her husband and that daughter present. She is known from photographs, not old iconography.
A fitting patron for a girl who hopes to study medicine, or for a young woman thinking about marriage and children. Gianna was a modern professional who lived her faith at work and at home, and gave her life for her daughter.
The print of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla
Questions
When is the feast of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla?
The feast of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla is kept on 28 April.
What is Saint Gianna Beretta Molla the patron saint of?
Saint Gianna Beretta Molla is the patron saint of mothers, physicians and unborn children.
Is Saint Gianna Beretta Molla a good confirmation saint?
A fitting patron for a girl who hopes to study medicine, or for a young woman thinking about marriage and children. Gianna was a modern professional who lived her faith at work and at home, and gave her life for her daughter.
Is Saint Gianna Beretta Molla the patron saint of people named Gianna?
Yes. Saint Gianna Beretta Molla is the traditional name saint for anyone called Gianna, and the feast on 28 April is their name day.
Choosing for a confirmation? See Confirmation gifts. Any two Charcoal Saints are 15% off.
Other patron saints
AgnesAnneAnthony of PaduaAugustine of HippoBenedict of NursiaBernadette SoubirousCarlo AcutisCatherine of SienaCeciliaChristopherClare of AssisiDominicDymphnaFaustina KowalskaFrancis of AssisiFrancis XavierGeorgeGerard MajellaIgnatius of LoyolaJoan of ArcJohn of the CrossJohn Paul IIJohn the BaptistJosephJosephine BakhitaJuan DiegoJude ThaddeusKateri TekakwithaLucyMartin de PorresMary MagdaleneMaximilian KolbeMichael the ArchangelMonicaNicholasPadre PioPatrickPaulPeregrine LaziosiPeterPier Giorgio FrassatiRita of CasciaSebastianTeresa of ÁvilaTeresa of CalcuttaThérèse of LisieuxThomas AquinasJeromeCatherine of AlexandriaMartin of Tours