Several events will welcome daughter of St. Gianna to Buffalo

The Diocese of Buffalo will host a visit by the daughter of a saint. Gianna Emanuela Molla, daughter of St. Gianna Molla, will visit Buffalo this July, as one of only three U.S. visits this year.  During her visit, Gianna Emanuela will be present at several events.

On Thursday, July 11, Gianna Emanuela will attend the dedication of the new St. Gianna & Pietro Molla Family Garden at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 4000 Elmwood Ave., beginning at 10 a.m.

Also on Thursday, a dedication Mass for the newest St. Gianna Pregnancy Outreach Center will be held at St. Mary Parish, 11 South Main St., in Holley, beginning at 4 p.m.

On Friday, July 12, a Respect Life Art Contest in honor of St. Gianna Molla will be held at OLV National Shrine & Basilica in Lackawanna beginning at 2:30 p.m.

The contest is open to all students in the Buffalo area in grades 1 through 12. Entries must be original pieces created in the theme “A Mother’s Love.” Submissions may be sent to St. Gianna Pregnancy Outreach Center, 76 Church St. Buffalo, 14203, no later than July 8. All entries will be displayed inside OLV.

Also on Friday, the Father Baker Museum at OLV National Shrine & Basilica, will host Adventures in Sainthood. Guests can meet Gianna Emanuela Molla, learn about Venerable Nelson H. Baker, enjoy a scavenger hunt, design greeting cards, and color pictures. The fun begins at 2:30 p.m. Guests are asked to bring a new baby item or diapers to donate to the St. Gianna Pregnancy Outreach Centers.

Friday at 5 p.m., Robert G. White, president of the Society of Saint Gianna Berett Molla, will speak at OLV National Shrine & Basilica. He will bring relics and rosaries that belonged to St. Gianna. Benediction and prayer of the rosary will also take place.

On Sunday, July 14, a Mass in honor of Gianna Emanuela Molla’s visit will take place at St. Joseph Cathedral in downtown Buffalo at 10:30 a.m. Veneration of a first class relic will follow Mass.

At 11:45 a.m., a special luncheon in honor of Gianna Emanuela will take place at the Admiral Room, 237 Main St., in Buffalo. Tickets are available for $75. Checks payable to St. Gianna Pregnancy Outreach Center, 76 Church St. Buffalo, 14203.  RSVP by July 5.

Gianna Beretta Molla was an Italian Catholic who died in 1962 of peritonitis a week after the birth of Gianna Emanuela. After being diagnosed with a fibroma on her uterus. Rather than have an abortion, she opted to put her unborn daughter’s life above her own.

For more information, contact the Pro-Life Office at 716-847-2205.