Dr. Gianna “Emanuela” Molla, daughter of St. Gianna Molla, will speak about her mother’s life Friday, Nov. 4, at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, La Crosse.
The event begins at 12:15 p.m. with Mass and veneration of St. Gianna’s relics. At 1:15 p.m., Molla will present “The Story of a Wife, Mother and Saint.”
In 1961, during the second month of her pregnancy with Emanuela, Gianna developed a fibroma on her uterus. Doctors gave her three choices: an abortion, which would save her life and allow her to continue to have children; a complete hysterectomy, which would preserve her life, but take the unborn child’s life and prevent further pregnancy; or removal of only the fibroma, with the potential of further complications. Wanting to preserve her child’s life, she opted for removal of the fibroma.
After the operation, complications continued throughout her pregnancy. Gianna expressed to her family, “This time it will be a difficult delivery, and they may have to save one or the other — I want them to save my baby.”
On Good Friday, April 21, 1962, Gianna went to the hospital where her fourth child, Emanuela, was delivered via Caesarean section. However, Gianna continued to have severe pain, and died of septic peritonitis seven days later.
Pope John Paul II canonized her a saint May 16, 2004, calling her “a simple but, more than ever, significant messenger of divine love.”
Emanuela’s presentation will be followed by a reception and a holy hour.
The event is free and open to the public. Groups of 10 or more should register by calling 877-799-4059.
The shrine is located at 5250 Justin Road, La Crosse. Grounds are handicap accessible.
Visit www.guadalupeshrine.org for more information.
