Gianna Emanuela Molla tells of parents love building each into saints
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St. Joseph Cathedral hosted a special Mass on July 14 that included a first class relic from St. Gianna Beretta Molla, patron of mothers, wives, families, doctors, and the unborn. St. Gianna’s daughter, Gianna Emanuela Molla was among the congregation of the nearly packed downtown church.
“My brothers and sisters, this is a very special day, a day of blessing as we welcome Dr. Gianna Emanuela Molla. As we know, her mother, a great saint of the church, is a great inspiration for all of us here in Buffalo, especially our pro-life work, our work with families, our work with young mothers and their children,” said Bishop Michael W. Fisher in his opening remarks. “We thank you for coming to be with us today as we honor your mother.”
The bishop also took a moment to comment on the shooting of former President Donald Trump that occurred just a day earlier.
“We remember our nation in its times of troubles, in times of violence. We pray for peace,” he said.
St. Gianna Beretta Molla, an Italian mother who gave her life so that her daughter could be born, is the namesake of the St. Gianna Molla Outreach Pregnancy Centers that have grown in all corners of the diocese. Only 39 when she died in 1962, St. Gianna was beatified in 1994 and canonized in 2004.
“We all know that God has a way of turning a tragedy into a blessing, such as the death of a young mother who gave her most precious gift, her gift of life, for the sake and the life of her baby,” Bishop Fisher said, adding St. Gianna’s sacrifice is an important example of following the Lord’s call to be a disciple and, ultimately, a saint.
A special luncheon followed at the Admiral Room, just a short walk from the downtown cathedral.
There, Gianna Emanuela spoke about her parents, who had three children and suffered two miscarriages before Gianna Emanuela was born.
Calling it an honor to be in Buffalo, Molla thanked everyone involved in welcoming her to Buffalo.
“Every morning, when I wake up, I want to thank the Lord who made my parents my parents. My most beloved saint mom and my most beloved holy dad gave the gift of life. I tell you, I would not be here if I had not been loved so much. Love is the greatest, the most precious and the most sacred gift.”
In an energetic and animated way, somewhat like Roberto Benigni at the Oscars, Molla read letters her father, Pietro, wrote to her mother as he worked in the United States in 1959. The letters showed a great love between the two. Replicating the boundless love her mother had for her and her father, Gianna Emanuela, a geriatrician, cared for her father after he became ill at the age of 90.
Bishop Fisher thanked Molla for sharing her story with the 150 people in attendance.
Cheryl Calire (left), director of Life Ministries for the Diocese of Buffalo, and Gianna Emanuela Molla pray before the Blessed Sacrament at St. Joseph Cathedral on July 14. (Photo by Patrick J. Buechi) 
Cheryl Zielen-Ersing (left), director of Respect Life Ministries for the Diocese of Buffalo, and Sarah Lindstrom, coordinator for the St. Gianna Outreach Pregnancy Center, place flowers in front of the sanctuary of St. Joseph Cathedral during Mass with Bishop Michael W. Fisher on July 14. (Photo by Patrick J. Buechi) 
The Knight of Columbus protect Cheryl Calire and Gianna Emanueal Molla after Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral on July 14. (Photo by Patrick J. Buechi) 
A woman kneels before the relic of St. Gianna Molla at St. Joseph Cathedral on July 14. Gianna Emanueal Molla brought the relic of her mother during a visit to Buffalo. (Photo by Patrick J. Buechi) 
A line of people fills the center aisle of St. Joseph Cathedral. They all wanted a moment to pray before the relic of St. Gianna Molla. (Photo by Patrick J. Buechi) 
A first class relic of St. Gianna Molla. (Photo by Patrick J. Buechi) 
Gianna Emanuela Molla speaks about the love her parents had for each other at the Admiral Room in downtown Buffalo. Her talk wrapped up a four day tour of Buffalo for the daughter of St. Gianna and Pietro Molla. (Photo by Patrick J. Buechi) 
Cheryl Calire, director of Life Ministrires, for the Diocese of Buffalo introduces Bishop Michael W. Fisher at the Admiral Room following a special Mass in honor of St. Gianna Molla. (Photo by Patrick J. Buechi) 
Bishop Michael W. Fisher and Gianna Emanuela Molla watch a short video about the Mother Teresa Home, one of the many outreaches of the diocesan Respect Life office. (Photo by Patrick J. Buechi)
“This is a perfect example of what our sacrament of marriage is supposed to be – building each other up to be saints. We pray that one day your father will be recognized,” he said.
