She Gave Her Life That Her Child May Live
By Fr. Jerry Vincke
When
Gianna Beretta was 15 years old, she wrote this prayer: "I promise
You, Jesus, to submit myself to all that you permit to happen to me. Let
me know only your will." Gianna lived this prayer from that moment
until her death at 39 years old. After finishing medical school, Gianna went to Lourdes, France, to reflect on her vocation. She asked our Blessed Mother, who appeared to St. Bernadette at Lourdes, what she should do with her life. She was thinking about doing missionary work. However, upon returning home, she met Pietro Molla and fell in love. She eventually married Pietro and lived out her vocation as mother and doctor.
As a doctor, Gianna did not charge patients who couldn’t afford to pay. Many times, senior citizens found money in their health card after leaving her office.
A loving wife and mother, Gianna was two months pregnant with her fourth child when it was discovered that she had a uterine tumor. Because she was a doctor, Gianna knew that she could save her life by having a hysterectomy. However, this also meant the death of her unborn child. She chose to have the tumor removed surgically, hoping that the child would live but also putting her at danger. After giving birth to Gianna Emanuela on April 21, 1962, Gianna suffered excruciating pain for the next six days. On April 28, she died of septic peritonitis.
On April 24, 1994, Blessed Gianna was beatified. The surviving daughter, Gianna Emanuela, is following in the footsteps of her mother, as she is currently a practicing doctor in Italy. Our Lord Jesus said, "Whoever loses his life my sake and that of the Gospel will save it."
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