BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Diocese of Buffalo is hosting the daughter of an Italian Roman Catholic saint.
Gianna Emanuela Molla, MD is the youngest daughter of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla. She is visiting Western New York from July 11 through July 14 and taking part in several special events, culminating with a luncheon and Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral in Buffalo in her honor on Sunday.
Saint Gianna Beretta Molla was also a physician and a pediatrician. Although aware of possible fatal consequences, Molla refused both a termination of pregnancy and a hysterectomy when medical complications appeared during her pregnancy with her fourth child, Gianna Emanuela. Seven days after the child's birth, Molla died.
A “conscious immolation" was the phrase used by Pope Paul VI to define the act of Blessed Gianna, remembering her at the Sunday Angelus of Sept. 23, 1973, as a "young mother from the diocese of Milan, who, to give life to her daughter, sacrificed her own, with conscious immolation.”
She was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2004.
Saint Gianna is the Patron Saint of mothers, physicians, and unborn children.
Cheryl Calire, the Director of Life Ministries for the Diocese of Buffalo has worked for years to bring Dr. Molla to Buffalo. There are nine pregnancy outreach centers in Western New York named in honor of Saint Gianna.
"We really have an inspirational week (planned), if you will," Calire said.
"For her to touch peoples lives, regardless if they are Catholic or not, I thought, that's what this whole thing is about. It's just about mom, dads, families and the babies, and she has really hit the mark so far," she added.
The majority of events with Dr. Gianna Emanuela Molla are open to the public.