Leading up to Mother’s Day on May 12, FaithND will offer a novena to pray for our mothers, grandmothers, and for those who have been mothers to us on our spiritual and personal journeys. We invite you to join us in praying with Mary and eight other holy women. See the full novena here.

NOVENA PRAYER
Mary, Our Mother, by accepting the invitation to bear God’s Son to the world, you brought forth new life for all of us. Your faithful acceptance of God’s word is our model and inspiration as we strive to make room in our hearts for your Son and bear him to others. Help us to follow him more closely, even to the foot of the cross, as you did.

During this month dedicated to you, we ask in a special way for you to care for each of our own mothers: (state your personal intention).

Notre Dame, our Mother, we pray today for our mothers and for all pregnant women, particularly for those experiencing complications or difficulties. Inspire in those who suffer, and in each one of us, your trust in God’s loving plan for our lives.

We pray, as in all things, through the name of your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

TODAY’S SAINT

St. Gianna Beretta Molla was an Italian physician and mother of four children. She was born in Italy in 1922 to a joyfully Catholic family. Gianna was a prayerful and active member of her local parish. In 1942, she began to study to become a physician in Milan. She opened up a pediatric clinic near her hometown. She hoped also to specialize in gynecology, but she continued on in pediatrics.

In 1954, having just turned 32, Gianna met Pietro Molla and the two of them became engaged in April. They were married less than a year later on the twenty-fourth of September, 1955. Gianna had three children in normal, healthy pregnancies—Pierluigi, Mariolina, and Laura—then, in 1961, she became pregnant with their fourth child. During a visit to the doctor, Gianna’s gynecologist discovered that there was a fibroma, a tumor made of connective tissue, on the outside of her uterus. Gianna had the choice to remove the fibroma, the most dangerous option, have an abortion, or undergo a hysterectomy. Gianna chose the option that gave her unborn daughter a chance to live—the removal of the fibroma alone. On the morning of April 21, 1962, Gianna’s baby daughter was delivered via Caesarean section. Gianna Beretta Molla was in severe pain and never recovered from the operation. She died of an abdominal infection on April 28, 1962.

Gianna and her husband named the daughter whose life was saved Gianna Emanuela. Gianna Emanuela continues to tell the story of her mother’s heroic love to this day. Read a letter that Gianna Emanuela read at the World Meeting of Families in 2015 here.

Gianna Beretta Molla was canonized in St. Peter’s Square in Rome by Pope John Paul II in May 2004. Gianna’s husband and surviving children were all present.

St. Gianna Beretta Molla, physician and mother—pray for us!
Visit the Mother’s Day Novena page>>