Generose Angarola Saint Gianna Essay Fr. Tomasz Strzebonski December 3, 2015 Saint Gianna: Patron Saint of Women’s Health Saint Gianna was a physician, a working mom, professional woman, and a loving wife. She was officially canonized by Pope John Paul II on May 16, 2004 (Society). Today, she is known to many as the patron saint of women’s health, specifically childbirth. Saint Gianna Beretta Molla was born on October 11, 1922 in Magenta, Italy. She was the tenth of thirteen children in her family, only nine of whom survived to adulthood. (Catholic) Saint Gianna began her study of medicine in 1942 and received her medical diploma in 1949. Upon earning her degree, she opened an office in Mesero that specialized in pediatrics. It was here that she met her future husband, Pietro Molla. As a young adult, Saint …show more content…
She was then officially canonized as a saint again by Pope John Paul II on May 16, 2004. The miracle that Saint Gianna performed that was recognized by the Catholic Church as a miracle was on December 20, 2003. Elisabeth Comparini Arcolino, a mother of three, was 16 weeks pregnant with her fourth child when she sustained a tear in the placenta, which resulted in the loss of her amniotic fluid. Doctors told her that the chances her child would survive were very slim. By divine intervention, Bishop Diogenes Silva Matthes of Franca, Brazil was in the exact same hospital as Arcolino visiting a friend. After he was told by doctors, Bishop Matthes went to visit Elisabeth. When he saw her, he told her that “This is the time for Saint Gianna Beretta Molla to intercede for the life you are carrying.” (Society) Bishop went home and continued to pray to Saint Gianna and told her that “The time for your canonization has arrived. Intercede to the Lord for the grace of a miracle and save the life of this little baby,” (Society) Elisabeth delivered a healthy baby girl, Gianna Maria, on May 31,