The St. Gianna Shrine Is A Midwest Must For All Catholics
If you know St. Gianna Molla, you love her.
In the vibrant Italian town of Magenta, close to Milan, Gianna Beretta was born as one of 13 children to Alberto and Maria Beretta. An unwavering commitment to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, leadership within the Catholic Action movement, and a zeal for skiing and scaling mountains marked her life. She pursued higher education in the medical field, achieving degrees in medicine and surgery from the esteemed University of Pavia, and ultimately chose to focus her practice on pediatrics. By 1952, she had inaugurated her own medical clinic in Mesero, a pivotal moment that also led her to cross paths with Pietro Molla, an engineer.
The couple welcomed three children into their lives over the next few years: Pierluigi, Mariolina, and Laura, though they also faced the sorrow of two miscarriages. A challenging decision came during Gianna's subsequent pregnancy when it was discovered she was carrying both a baby and a life-threatening tumor. She courageously opted for a procedure that would save her unborn child at the risk of her own life, declining a complete hysterectomy recommended by her doctors.
In April 1962, their daughter Gianna Emanuela was born in Monza. Sadly, complications followed, leading to an infection that would claim Gianna's life a week later. She passed away in her home, later being laid to rest in Mesero.
Gianna Emanuela embraced her mother's healing touch, pursuing a career in medicine. Gianna Beretta Molla's selfless love and faith led to her beatification in 1994 and canonization in 2004, with her memory honored each year on April 28, a testament to her enduring spirit and compassion.
In honor of this great saint and her Feast Day, we invite you to explore the Shrine of St. Gianna in Yorkville, Illinois.
Located at St. Patrick Parish, the St. Gianna Shrine is a beautiful statue that serves as a peaceful refuge for all who visit.
As per their website, "Our hope for the St. Gianna Shrine is inspired by the saint herself, and echos the words of her daughter, Gianna Emanuela (pictured), when she visited the Shrine and shared, ‘I am very much encouraged by the plans for this Shrine in Yorkville, Illinois, dedicated to my saint mother, recalling her heroic life. I hope and pray this Shrine will bring many graces to all pilgrims who visit.'"
While you can always drop in to see the statue on your own time, the St. Gianna Shrine also offers tours that include visiting the Shrine and hearing its history, veneration of two of St. Gianna's relics (plus one decade of the Holy Rosary, and a prayer to St. Gianna), blessing cards and medals that touched her relic, and—by request—a group recitation of the Rosary.
Depending on when you visit, you may be able to partake in one of the Shrine's many inspiring events, including St. Gianna's annual Feast Day celebration, March for Life, and Mass of Hope and Healing.
After the 4 pm mass on the last Saturday of the month, St. Patrick's offers a special Veneration Service complete with the veneration of two of St. Gianna's relics, a decade of the Rosary, and a prayer to St. Gianna.
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To learn more about the Shrine of St. Gianna - including tour information and mass times - please visit their website.