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The Birth of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla and Pietro Molla - Pierluigi on Monday, November 19, 1956.
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On Monday, November 19, 1956, Pierluigi, Gianna and Pietro Molla's first child was born at home with the help of Gianna's brother, Dr. Ferdinando Beretta. The couple spent a few minutes discussing the baby's name and settled quickly on Pierluigi. Pietro declared to Gianna, "Isn't he beautiful! Just like a little angel. He will bring us much joy!" Pietro was beside himself with joy and pride at his newly-born son!
Pierluigi's baptism was held at the Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel just a few days after he was born (see picture below). His, uncle, Father Giuseppe Beretta, celebrated the rite. For Gianna, it was very important that everyone of her children be consecrated to the Blessed Mother. Starting with Pierluigi, Pietro began a tradition of praying aloud the act of consecration to Our Lady of Good Counsel after the baptismal ceremony. Both Gianna and Pietro cherished this devotion to their heavenly Mother and wanted to place each of their children under her special protection.
After the Baptism, Gianna and Pietro prayed for their new baby as follows:
Act of Consecration to the Blessed Mother
"O blessed Virgin Mary our Mother, when the Son of God decided to take upon Himself our human life in order that we might share in His Divine Life, He did not wish to come to us without your free cooperation. He deliberately willed to have need of you.
Look down today from heaven upon little Pierluigi. He has received from his parents the life of man, and now by the Holy Sacrament of Baptism, he has been given a life which is infinitely superior, the very life of God. We know that just as God is his Father and our Father, you are, in regard to his spiritual life, his Mother and our Mother.
We confide this child to you. Show yourself his Mother. Watch over his education; nourish him with the life of grace; make him progress in his Christian life just as his human parents aid him to progress in physical as well as spiritual life.
Protect the precious life which has just been received. Be for him a real Mother to guard him in your arms when the devil seeks to destroy his spiritual life in your Son Jesus Christ. May he love you as Jesus Christ loved you, for our love for you is nothing else but a participation in the love of your Son for you.
In the name of this child, Pierluigi, we wish to make today his first prayer to his heavenly Mother.
"Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with Thee, blessed art 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.
While Gianna and Pietro returned to their respective jobs, Pierluigi was left in the capable hands of his Aunt Zita (Gianna's sister) and Savina Passeri, a young woman whom they hired as a housekeeper.
On his first birthday, see the picture of Pierluigi with Gianna below. The last picture is of Gianna, Pietro, and Pierluigi at their home in Ponte Nuovo. PRAYER
Saint Gianna, you've taught us--not only with words, but also through your example--some very important truths. One truth is that God wants all our families to be centers of love. Remind me that the love and understanding I practice in my own family can help to make the world a better place.
You've also shown us that every unborn baby is a precious and repeatable gift of God whose life should never be taken away. Saint Gianna, ask God that all people may come to understand and believe this. Remind me to pray every day for an end to abortion. I want to do what I can to respect and protect the life of each and every person, because every human being has been created by God in his Own Image.
Saint Gianna, you loved life. You knew it was a great gift. Help me to know what God wishes me to do with my life; to spend it well and for the good of others, just as you did. You found joy by trusting God in everything. Help me to do the same. Please pray for me.
Amen. God Bless You and Your Families,
The Society of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla – Board of Directors
check out our website at http://saintgianna.org |
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