St. Gianna Novena {Day 2}

Yesterday we started a novena to ask St. Gianna Beretta Molla, patron saint of mothers, unborn children, and physicians, to pray for us. We will finish the novena on St. Gianna's feast day, Monday, April 28th. If you missed yesterday's prayer, no worries! I'd love for you to join us in prayer today. 

{If you're interested, I shared a little history behind the novena prayer in yesterday's post.} 

Today and each day this week I'll share a little about the life of St. Gianna. 

Gianna Beretta was born in Italy on October 4, 1922. She was Alberto and Marie Beretta's tenth child (and they would go on to have three more children). Mr. & Mrs. Beretta took special care to raise Gianna and her siblings in the Catholic Church. Gianna made her First Communion at age 5 1/2 and was confirmed two years later. 

How sweet is this picture of St. Gianna on her First Communion day?
{source}

From a young age, Gianna was active in her faith as a Catholic Christian. She attended daily Mass, and looked for opportunities to enrich her faith. Along with several other family members, she participated actively in a group called Catholic Action, whose mission was to inspire lay Catholics to live a "more intense spiritual life." 

Today I would like to pray for Catholics and for all Christians...that we might be inspired by the example of St. Gianna to be living witnesses for Christ in our words and actions, and that we too might actively seek opportunities to strengthen our faith and spiritual lives. I will also be praying for your intentions. Please feel free to share them in the comments (and thank you to those of you who shared yesterday!). 

Please pray with me:

God, our Father, You have granted to Your church the gift of Gianna Beretta Molla. In her youth she lovingly sought You and drew other young people to You, involving them, through apostolic witness and Catholic Action, in the care of the sick and aged, to help and comfort them.

We thank You for the gift of this young woman, so deeply committed to You. Through her example grant us the grace to consecrate our lives to Your service, for the joy of our brothers and sisters. 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 

Jesus, Redeemer of mankind, You called Saint Gianna to exercise the medical profession as a mission for the comfort of bodies and souls. In her suffering fellow men and in the little ones, deprived of all support, she saw You. 

We thank You for having revealed Yourself to this servant as “one who serves” and who soothes the sufferings of men. Treasuring her example may we become generous Christians at the service of our brothers and sisters, especially those with whom You deign to share Your Cross.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 

God, Sanctifying Spirit, who love the Church as Your Bride, You poured into the heart of Saint Gianna a share of Your Love so that she could radiate it in her family, and thus cooperate with You in the wonderful plan of creation, and give life to new children who could know and love You.
We thank You for this model wife and, through her encouraging witness, we beg You to grant to our families the serene and Christian presence of mothers committed to transform their homes into cenacles of faith and love, rich with generous activity and sanctifying service.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 

O God, Creator and lover of mankind, You were close to Saint Gianna when, affected by illness, she was in the painful dilemma of choosing between her own life and the life of the child whom she was carrying in herself, a gift long-awaited. Trusting You alone, and aware of Your Commandment to respect human life, Gianna found the courage to do her duty as a mother and to say “yes” to the new life of her baby, generously sacrificing her own. Through the intercession of Mary, Mother of Jesus, and after the example of Gianna, inspire all mothers to welcome with love the sparkle of new life. Grant us the grace we are praying for {say your intentions} and the joy to find an inspiration in Saint Gianna who, as a model spouse and mother, after the example of Christ, gave up her life for the life of others. 

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

{novena source}

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Thanks so much for being here to pray. Wishing you a blessed Easter Monday...

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