The daughter of one the most popular modern day Catholic saints announced plans to establish an international pilgrimage site and center in Springfield to help spread devotion to her mother’s virtues and, thus, to promote the holiness of the family.
Dr. Gianna Emanuela Molla, the daughter of Italian saint, St. Gianna Beretta Molla (1922-1962), will establish the Molla International Center for Family and Life.
Dr. Molla said that one reason she chose Springfield was because of it’s central location, especially it being within driving distance of St. Louis and Chicago.
The Center for Family and Life will be located near the former St. Francis’ convent.
The center is expected to bring tens of thousands of pilgrims to Springfield every year from all over the world as St. Gianna is known as a saint for mothers, families, healthcare workers, as she herself raised four children, was a pediatrician, and died from complications after giving birth to her daughter Gianna.
While pregnant with her fourth child in 1961, St. Gianna felt much pain, which led to the discovery of a tumor in her uterus. Doctors discussed having an abortion to preserve St. Gianna’s life. Instead, St. Gianna chose to have only the tumor removed, understanding this could save her child but lead to further, perhaps deadly complications for her. St. Gianna’s faith gave her perfect clarity and confidence in this critical moment of choice.
Both the baby and St. Gianna survived the surgery but knowing she could lose her life delivering her child, St. Gianna prayed to God and told the doctors and her family, “If you must decide between me and the child, do not hesitate, choose the child. I insist on it. Save the baby.”
On April 21, 1962, Gianna Emanuela Molla was born. Over the next week, however, St. Gianna, the mother, dealt with further serious complications. Despite several treatments, St. Gianna died a week after giving birth. Her selfless act of love of choosing the life of her child over herself had been another astounding demonstration of her deep faith.
As word spread of St. Gianna’s greatest act of love, the Catholic Church opened her cause for sainthood and faith-filled people from around the world started asking to St. Gianna for her intercession, leading to two Church approved miracles. She was canonized a saint by Pope St. John Paul II in 1994. At her canonization was her husband, Pietro, and children, including her daughter, Gianna, whom she saved. They both met the Holy Father. It was the first time a husband witnessed his wife’s canonization. Today, Saint Gianna is the patron saint of mothers, physicians, and unborn children.