Saint Gianna.

Last year Saint Gianna was my patron for the year. When I was given the name, I really didn't know much about her. I knew that she had died because she was unwilling to have an abortion that would have saved her life.

Gianna had 3 children without any complications but then when she was pregnant with her 4th child, she developed a fibroma on her uterus. The doctors gave her three options to treat this. The first option was to have an abortion. The second options was to have a complete hysterectomy and the third option was to have the fibroma removed from her uterus. Even though St. Gianna knew that the removal of the fibroma could result in further complications, she opted for this to preserve the life of her child.

After the removal of her fibroma, Gianna experienced more complications but she was clear for the entire pregnancy, that if it came down to saving her life or the life of her child, they were to choose the child's life. Gianna was willing to sacrifice her life.

This had a great impression on me. I know in the general day to day running of our house that it is hard to sacrifice small needs for my child, much less give my whole life up for them.

I am so thankful for the Saints in Heaven that interceed for us and that we can read about. In reading about their lives we can see their heroic virtues and strive to be like them. They are really like big brothers and sisters encouraging us in our faith journey.

You can read more about St. Gianna here and here