Drawn to the Saints: Saint Gianna Beretta Molla
"No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." Jn. 15:13
These words from John's gospel can be used to describe the sacrifice that many mothers make for their children. While there are plenty of “moms” who have been canonized, St Gianna Beretta Molla, is unique because she could very well be the very first Saint in the modern era who did not become a religious as a widow with grown children. Instead she is venerated for her shining example as a lay christian, a faithful wife and mother. Molla's ultimate Christ-like sacrifice was made during the pregnancy of her youngest child. Rather than aborting the baby to save her own life, she decided take the pregnancy to full term. This was a decision that caused her death, but spared the life of her child.