Saint Gianna Molla was born in 1922, the tenth of thirteen children, in Magenta, Italy. She is widely remembered for her belief that life is God鈥檚 beautiful gift. Engaging with this idea from a young age, she applied her Catholic values to a career in medicine. In 1949, Gianna graduated with degrees in medicine and surgery and opened up her own pediatrics office in 1952.
The ideals she held true applied in and out of her work. As part of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society and Catholic Action, Gianna sought to more openly share Catholic Social Teaching. Married in 1955, Gianna became the proud and loving mother of three children while continuing to advance her career in medicine.
In 1961, however, Gianna was faced with great adversity. In the midst of her fourth pregnancy, doctors informed her that a tumor threatened the life of her baby and herself. Instead of choosing to abort the child, Gianna courageously chose to undergo surgery to remove the complication and continued with the difficult pregnancy knowing that she may not survive the child鈥檚 delivery. Willing to give her life to preserve her child鈥檚 right to life, Gianna died in 1962, a week after the birth of her fourth child.
Today, Gianna is commemorated as the patron saint of mothers, physicians, and unborn children. She is also the inspiration behind New York鈥檚 first pro-life Catholic healthcare center. Her feast day is celebrated each year on April 28th.