St. Gianna Molla was born as Gianna Francesca Beretta on October 4, 1922 in Magenta, Italy. She was the tenth child of Albert and Maria Beretta. She grew up in the Lombardy region of Italy. She began her study of medicine in 1942 in Milan. She graduated in 1949 and opened up a pediatrics office near her home.
In 1954, Gianna met her future husband, Pietro Molla. Pietro was an engineer who worked in her practice. The couple became engaged in April of 1955 and married in September of that year. The couple had three children: Pierluigi, born in 1956; Maria Zita, in 1957; and Laura, born in 1959.
In 1961, Gianna fell pregnant again. During the second month of pregnancy, she developed a fibroma on her uterus. The doctors gave her three choices: an abortion, a complete hysterectomy, or the removal of only the fibroma. The Church would have allowed her to obtain a hysterectomy, but would not allow for an abortion. Gianna wanted to protect the fetus, so she decided to have an operation to remove the fibroma. After having the operation, Gianna continued to have complications. However, Gianna said she still wanted to have her baby.
On April 21, 1962, Gianna gave birth to her fourth child. Her daughter was named Gianna Emanuela. She was delivered via Caesarean section. Unfortunately, after giving birth to Gianna Emanuela, seven days later Gianna Molla died because of birth complications.
St. Gianna Molla was beatified by Pope John Paul II on April 24, 1994, and was canonized as a saint on May 16, 2004. St. Gianna is a patron saint for mothers, physicians, and unborn children.
