008st_gianna_feastdayApril 28 is the feast day of St. Gianna Beretta Molla and this year Our Lady of the Rosary parish in San Diego’s Little Italy held a Mass to honor her. Faithful came from all parts of the diocese to honor the recently canonized saint and to learn more about her life. Members of St. Gianna Physician’s Guild helped out and sponsored a reception and presentation on the life of the saint.

 Fr. Steven Grancini, the pastor, celebrated the Mass in her honor and the Latin Mass Schola from the parish sung beautiful hymns that inspired everyone. A special display was set up on a side alter featuring a large picture of the saint in front of which were displayed two special relics that belonged to the saint. A pair of gloves worn by St. Gianna and the stethoscope she used in her practice of medicine as a pediatrician. The relics were brought by Thomas McKenna, the director of the St. Gianna Physician’s Guild who resides in San Diego.

013st_gianna_feastdayBefore Mass a litany of St. Gianna was prayed. Fr. Grancini gave an inspiring homily that highlighted the virtues and spirituality of the saint. He described how she lived her life day by day just as every good Catholic should and how her life can inspire people to follow in her footsteps. At the end of Mass all turned to the large picture and Fr. Grancini lead a prayer to St. Gianna. Following the prayer father gave a final blessing holding in his hand the stethoscope that had belonged to St. Gianna. The faithful then were invited to venerate the relics.

In the parish hall a reception was held along with a special screening of a new DVD on the life of St. Gianna produced by Mr. McKenna. The 30 minute DVD gives a very insightful look into the life and spirituality of St. Gianna.

Following the screening Mr. McKenna answered questions and shared some of his personal stories about his relationship with the saint’s family and special facts he learned about the saint’s life from them.

If any of our readers are interested in future events related to St. Gianna or would like to obtain the new DVD they can visit St. Gianna Physician’s Guild web site at www.stgiannaphysicians.org.