Saint Gianna Beretta Molla is a Saint close to my heart. In fact, she is my Patron Saint for 2013. St. Gianna was an Italian physician, a wife and a loving mother. She is best known for refusing both an abortion and a hysterectomy when she was pregnant with her fourth child, despite knowing that continuing with the pregnancy could result in her death. She was ready to give her life in order to save that of her child as reflected in her words: “If you must decide between me and the child, do not hesitate: choose the child—I insist on it. Save the baby.” She was canonized on May 16th, 2004 by Pope John Paul II. St. Gianna is a Patron saint for mothers, physicians, and unborn children. Her Feast day is celebrated on April 28th. In preparation for her feast day, here is a novena to be recited from April 19th – 28th. My intentions for this Novena will be for an end to abortion, for all mothers, for all those who suffer from infertility & miscarriage.
Novena To Obtain Graces Through the Intercession of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla
God, our Father, You have granted to Your church the gift of St. Gianna Beretta Molla. In her youth she lovingly sought You and drew other young people to You, involving them, through apostolic witness and Catholic Action, in the care of the sick and aged, to help and comfort them.
We thank You for the gift of this young woman, so deeply committed to You. Through her example grant us the grace to consecrate our lives to Your service, for the joy of our brothers and sisters.
Glory be …
Jesus, Redeemer of mankind, You called Saint Gianna to exercise the medical profession as a mission for the comfort of bodies and souls. In her suffering fellow men and in the little ones, deprived of all support, she saw You.
We thank You for having revealed Yourself to this servant as “one who serves” and who soothes the sufferings of men. Treasuring her example may we become generous Christians at the service of our brothers and sisters, especially those with whom You deign to share Your Cross.
Glory be …
God, Sanctifying Spirit, who love the Church as Your Bride, You poured into the heart of Saint Gianna a share of Your Love so that she could radiate it in her family, and thus cooperate with You in the wonderful plan of creation, and give life to new children who could know and love You.
We thank You for this model wife and, through her encouraging witness, we beg You to grant to our families the serene and Christian presence of mothers committed to transform their homes into cenacles of faith and love, rich with generous activity and sanctifying service.
Glory be …
O God, Creator and lover of mankind, You were close to Saint Gianna when, affected by illness, she was in the painful dilemma of choosing between her own life and the life of the child whom she was carrying in herself, a gift long-awaited. Trusting You alone, and aware of Your Commandment to respect human life, Gianna found the courage to do her duty as a mother and to say “yes” to the new life of her baby, generously sacrificing her own. Through the intercession of Mary, Mother of Jesus, and after the example of Gianna, inspire all mothers to welcome with love the sparkle of new life.
Grant us the grace we are praying for (mention your intention) and the joy to find an inspiration in Saint Gianna who, as a model spouse and mother, after the example of Christ, gave up her life for the life of others.
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