The Ceremony
On Mother’s Day in 1994, the Year of the Family, Pope John Paul II beatified Gianna Beretta Molla in the presence of her husband, siblings, and children. He proposed her as a model for all mothers saying,
“A woman of exceptional love, an outstanding wife and mother, she gave witness in her daily life to the demanding values of the Gospel. By holding up this woman as an exemplar of Christian perfection, we would like to extol all those high-spirited mothers of families who give themselves completely to their family, who suffer in giving birth, who are prepared for every labor and every kind of sacrifice, so that the best they have can be given to others.”
Gianna’s daughter, Gianna Emanuela, herself a medical doctor, gave the following testimony at Maracana Stadium in Brazil during the Second International Celebration of the Family (1997).
“Dear Mom, thank you for having given me life two times: when you conceived me and when you permitted me to be born… My life seeks to be the natural continuation of your life, of your joy of living, of your enthusiasm, and it finds its full meaning in the engagement and dedication to whoever lives in suffering. Dear mom, intercede always for all mothers and all families who turn to you and entrust themselves to you.”
Reportedly, her words brought tears to the eyes of Pope John Paul II. [1]
But a second miracle was needed for her to be elevated to sainthood. A case came to the postulation’s attention from Franca, Brazil, which promoted a diocesan investigation from 31 May to 1 August 2001. The closure of this investigation saw documents sent to the CCS, who validated the process on 22 February 2002. Medical experts approved this miracle on 10 April 2003, with the theologians following on 17 October 2003, and the CCS members on 16 December 2003. John Paul II granted the final approval on 20 December 2003, and formalization came at an ordinary consistory held on 19 February 2004. Molla was proclaimed as a saint of the Roman Catholic Church in Saint Peter’s Square on 16 May 2004 (JPII).[2]
- Exhortation
Sanctity in and of itself is a bar too high for us alone to achieve.
Mat 7:13 13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
Mat 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” even accepting an untimely and painful death and achieving a Catholic Marriage.
Hard thing is the only thing worth doing. So many people encouraged to give up on marriage, burning it down before the first fruits show. Burning down grace, endure some difficulties. Hard to create a marriage in a secular world. Our Lord raised it to a sacrament.
One of the only graces received not lost due to original sin. It is a holy state willed by God. Each one does not boast but rather the need for the other. Young moms take these holy men & women their lessons, intercessors, they grow in stature, Our Lord cannot be out done in generosity.
[1] https://saintgianna.org/beatification.htm accessed July 19, 2022
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gianna_Beretta_Molla#Canonization accessed July 19, 2022
You must log in to post a comment.