Saint Gianna Molla: Wife, Mother, Doctor [Paperback]

Pietro Molla (Author), Elio Guerriero (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2004

This is the inspiring story of a newly canonized contemporary woman. Gianna Molla (1923-1962) risked her life in order to save her unborn child. Diagnosed with uterine tumors during her fourth pregnancy, she refused a hysterectomy that would have aborted the child, and opted for a riskier surgery in an attempt to save the baby. Herself a medical doctor, Molla did give birth to the child, but succumbed to an infection.

An Italian woman who loved skiing, playing piano, attending concerts at the Milan Conservatory, Molla was a dedicated physician and devoted wife and mother who lived life to the fullest, yet generously risked death by cancer for the sake of her child.

A unique story, co-authored by her own husband, with his deeply moving personal insights of the heroic witness, love, sacrifice and joy of his saintly wife. A woman for all times and walks of life, this moving account of the multi-faceted, selfless St. Gianna Molla, who made the ultimate sacrifice to save her unborn child, will be an inspiration to all readers. Illustrated

Product Details

• Paperback: 156 pages
• Publisher: Ignatius Press (October 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898708877
• ISBN-13: 978-0898708875
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #266,540 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Book on an Awe Inspiring Woman, November 20, 2005

By 

Kelly "kelly" (United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Saint Gianna Molla: Wife, Mother, Doctor (Paperback)

This is an amazing book on St. Gianna Molla. It is written in part by her husband [who is still alive and well in Italy] through interviews with Elio Gurriero and includes some of St. Gianna's own writings.

I found this book very touching and inspiring. Most of us know of St. Gianna because of her death - as a martyr for Life as it were - but this book introduces us to the very real, loving, devout, strong woman that Gianna was in life. How wonderful to read about her youth, her courtship and marriage, her love for her small children, her devotion to her patients, and her heroic decision to risk death so that her baby could survive.

This book was easy to read and entertaining while really packing a spiritual punch. I got so much from it and feel like a better person for having read it.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite saint!, March 26, 2007

By 

bookscdsdvdsandcoolstuff "bookscdsdvdsandcool... (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Saint Gianna Molla: Wife, Mother, Doctor (Paperback)

It is difficult for me to think of a Saint I relate to more than St. Gianna Molla. She didn't live hundreds of years ago, but rather is a modern woman. St. Gianna was a pediatric surgeon, a mother, a wife, and a holy woman who died a martyr's death.

If you are looking into buying this book, you probably know Dr. Molla's life already. In case you do not: She was a mother of three, who upon hearing of her fourth pregnancy, decided she would give up her work as a Doctor to focus all of her attention on her own family. During her pregnancy she was diagnosed with a cancer on her uterus. She had three choices. She could a) do nothing and have the baby and almost certainly die, b) remove most of the tumor and keep the baby. This would be VERY risky with lots of potential complications, but there was a greater chance she would survive. Or she could c) do what the doctor's advised and terminate the pregnancy as a result of a more radical surgery to remove her entire illness.

She chose option (b). She didn't seek martyrdom. She wanted to live and raise her family. She could have chosen (c) if she wanted. The abortion would not have been direct. Rather, it would have been an indirect consequence of a surgery designed to save the mother's life. Thus, under Catholic teaching, the operation would have been morally acceptable.

However, St. Gianna was a hero of the faith. Rather than take the easy road, she decided to do what she could to save her own life, while at the same time defending the young life within her.

St. Gianna died after childbirth. She got to hold her baby, and name her "Gianna." This Gianna, a Doctor now herself, was present along with her father at her mother's canonization. St. Gianna Molla is a hero for life. She is a Saint whose witness we need now more than ever.

I recommend this book completely. Reading about this saint will enrich your life.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful testimony, October 25, 2009

By 

Philo Thea "FaithandHope" (Westborough,MA,USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Saint Gianna Molla: Wife, Mother, Doctor (Paperback)

This is a powerful testimony of a very simple person who took life's sufferings and made it as an offering to God.