The Catholic Company Book Review - Saint Gianna Beretta Molla: The Gift of Life

Saint Gianna Beretta Molla: The Gift of Life by Susan Helen Wallace, FSP with Patricia Edward Jablonski, FSP is my newest book review for The Catholic Company.
I first heard of St. Gianna in 2004 & was captivated by her story. This beautiful Italian wife, mother, & doctor had just been canonized by Pope John Paul II. So when I saw this on the list of books to choose from, I knew it would be great for our family.

This little book is part of the Encounter the Saints Series from Pauline Books & Media. It would make a great read aloud for younger children & an easy to understand chapter book for preteens. It includes 19 short chapters, a glossary, & a prayer to st. Gianna. I plan on adding it to my 11 year old's reading list for school in the fall.

Early in her life, she considered a religious vocation & had a desire to join her missionary brother in South America. God had other plans & in her mid 30s, she met Pietro Molla. They shared a great love of for each other & their marriage was a beautiful testament to their Catholic Faith. She firmly believed that ALL life was a gift from God & the He was the center of their lives.

They had plans for a large family. Between 1956 & 1959, they were blessed with the first three of their children. It was early in her fourth pregnancy when complications arose...a tumor was found near her baby. Out of love for her baby, she opted for the riskier of three options, surgery to remove the tumor. The other options would have aborted her pregnancy. The surgery was successful & she went on to give birth to a baby girl seven months later. However, St. Gianna only survived one week after giving birth.

Saint Gianna Beretta Molla: The Gift of Life tells her story from her childhood to her canonization in 2004. She lived her life in a way that exemplified the gift of life given by God. It's easy to see by her actions & choices why she has become a special pro-life saint.

This review was written as part of the Catholic book reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Saint Gianna Beretta Molla - The Gift of Life. They are also a great source for a baptism gifts or first communion gifts.