St. Gianna Provides A Wondrous Example
The Saints were regular human beings—I have to remind myself that sometimes. We often read snippets about saints, short facts and highlights that undoubtedly share why that person was canonized. Many had religious vocations, but others were called to the single or married life. One Saint I've been growing closer to lately is St. Gianna Beretta Molla, whom I mentioned in my January column. She is a 20th-century Saint who was a wife, mother, and physician, and who died a week after her fourth child was born from complications related to her pregnancy. St. Gianna made a heroic decision to continue with her pregnancy despite being advised to have an abortion, and she relied on the Lord’s will and had complete trust in Him. I'd like to reflect on her “ordinary” life and how I find her relatable.
St. Gianna was born in Milan in 1922 and opened a medical clinic in 1950. She served all she could, with an emphasis on the poor, with passion; she considered her work a “mission.” She also did not take her vocation to marriage for granted, seeing it not as simply a state of life most people engage in but as a gift and calling from God. She wanted to “[form] a truly Christian family.” I am blessed to be able to use St. Gianna's family in addition to many families I know as examples and role models as I seek to also form a family that does the will of the Lord and will better his kingdom on earth.
Not many short biographies or information talk about how St. Gianna juggled working, serving others, being a loving wife and raising children. I can only imagine that it was difficult. Many summaries of her life do, however, share that she knew the power of prayer. Because she was so at peace when she demanded that her child's life be saved if only she or her baby could survive, I can also safely assume that St. Gianna had an intimate relationship with the Lord. She prioritized time to pray, and lived out her vocation and occupation with her whole heart, knowing she was serving the Lord and doing his will.
I hope to keep that correct balance in my own life, keeping Christ at the center of all tasks and every minute of the day. St. Gianna even enjoyed skiing and mountaineering, further showing a healthy balance. I assume that Gianna did not expect to become a Saint in the manner she did. A mother of three already, she was happily enjoying life when complications arose in her pregnancy. In every decision she was faced with, St. Gianna chose life for her child. After her daughter Gianna was born, St. Gianna praised the Lord, and she trusted in Him as she suffered and died seven days later, on April 28, 1962.
St. Gianna spreads the message that one can embrace his or her vocation, live an active Christian life and give of ourselves in every way. She loved through her work, her family and her sacrifice. St. Gianna, pray for us and help us to love as you did.
