In Focus:

The Rome Life Forum and Saint Gianna Molla


Dear Friend for Life

Some of the Family Life International NZ team and I have just returned from a critical visit to Italy which has strengthened our resolve to continue in this great battle for life, faith and family! 

Family Life International NZ are co-sponsors of the annual Rome Life Forum - a two day event where pro-life and pro-family leaders from throughout the world have the opportunity to network and discuss the issues that are threatening our efforts to proclaim the Gospel of Life effectively.

The Forum is an initiative of Voice of the Family, which was formed in support of Catholic teaching on the family.  At the heart of every discussion, every address, and of all participating, is a great love for Christ and His Church, for the dignity of the human person and for the salvation of souls.  As confusion continues to increase, Christian charity demands that we speak the truth with great love and with a deep respect for the person of the Pope.  It is our desire to serve God faithfully which moves us to critically look at the current situation in which we find ourselves and look forward with joy and hope to a time where clarity exists once again.

Featuring a fantastic line-up of internationally respected Prelates and speakers, Forum participants were able to listen to, and talk with, Cardinal Burke, Bishop Schneider, Professor Roberto de Mattei, John-Henry Westen, Professor Thomas Stark, Father Boquet and our own Dame Colleen Bayer.  Both LifeSiteNews and Voice of the Family are in the process of publishing videos and articles for you to read and view.

While in Italy we had the opportunity to meet privately with Cardinal Burke, have lunch with Bishop Schneider, attend the Rome March for Life, share our stories, participate in meetings with other pro-life and family leaders and pray at the tomb of our patron saint - Saint John Paul II.

It was also a great honour and privilege to spend time with Gianna Emmanuela Molla, the daughter of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla.  

Saint Gianna was a wife, mother and doctor who loved God above all else. During her fourth pregnancy, it was discovered that Gianna had a large fibroid in her womb which had the potential to be harmful to her and the child.  The best course of action, Gianna was told, was to have an abortion.  Gianna refused the abortion and any treatment that would unnecessarily harm the precious life she carried within her, opting instead for the solution which would give her child the best chance of survival, even at the risk of death for herself.  Heroically, St Gianna said "If you must choose between me and the baby, no hesitation; choose – and I demand it – the baby. Save her!" 

After a difficult pregnancy, Saint Gianna gave birth to little Gianna by cesarean section, and died one week later, at home, after suffering continued complications. 

Our days in Magenta, the town where St Gianna was born, were filled with rich blessings!  Particularly poignant for me were the opportunities to pray in the places where she once prayed, and to offer prayers of thanksgiving for her intercession.  This woman of great faith, of great courage and deep love for her God and for her family inspires me to also be courageous, faithful and to sacrifice for love.  

Gianna Emmanuela has entrusted Family Life International NZ with two relics to share with the people of New Zealand - a piece of St Gianna's wedding dress and a scarf which she wore often.  I am available to give talks about St Gianna Beretta Molla and the significance of devotion to her for the pro-life and pro-family movement.  Please let me know if you would like me to come and talk to your parish community or group.

Thank you for your support and for your prayers for our mission to build a culture of life through prayer, education and service!  Be assured of our prayers for you and your family.