A view of the tapestry of Italian pediatrician Gianna Beretta Molla, who was named a saint with five others by Pope John Paul (news - web sites) II in a canonization ceremony in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican (news - web sites), Sunday May 16, 2004.
It takes tremendous faith and enormous strength of character to make and accept such a selfless decision. I wish you could have seen (can't find a picture on the web) the image of her daughter, Gianna, assisting her father as he went up to receive the pope's blessing. St. Gianna's son is a priest; he concelebrated the mass with the Holy Father.
Not everyone is called to this level of spirituality. In the case of this family, it reflects their deep devotion and total commitment to life.