When and How to Pray to St. Gianna
Pray for a mother and child, for a couple struggling with infertility, or for health professionals caring for a family. Name your intention and ask for wisdom as well as strength. St. Gianna’s feast is April 28; a nine-day preparation may begin April 19. Continue to seek qualified medical advice, and consult a priest or a Catholic medical ethicist when a decision raises a moral question.
Who Was St. Gianna Beretta Molla?
Gianna was an Italian physician, wife and mother who cared especially for mothers, children and people in need. She died in 1962 after the birth of her fourth child and was canonized in 2004. The Vatican biography describes both her medical service and family life.
Can I Pray to St. Gianna for Pregnancy or Infertility?
Yes. You can ask her intercession for conception, a safe pregnancy and peace during waiting or loss. No pregnancy or medical outcome is guaranteed. People who do not receive the outcome they hoped for remain loved by God and supported by the Church.
Does St. Gianna’s Example Mean Refusing Medical Treatment?
No. Gianna sought medical care, and her vocation as a physician valued the care of patients. Her heroic choice should never become a blanket instruction to refuse treatment. Catholic moral teaching distinguishes direct abortion from treatments with unintended effects; a difficult case deserves qualified medical and ethical guidance.