I recently attended a talk in which the religious sister presenting shared a profound story about St. Gianna Beretta Molla, the twentieth century Italian saint. St. Gianna, upon finishing medical school, wished to join her Capuchin brother in Brazil as a medical missionary, serving expectant mamas and their babies. Due to her poor health, she wasn’t able to join the mission in Brazil, and instead stayed in Italy, where she later married, had four children, and practiced as a pediatrician. After her death, both miracles that led to her canonization were miraculous healings of expectant mothers in Brazil—the exact same population that she had hoped to serve as a medical missionary. While she wasn’t able to serve these mothers on earth, her heavenly intercession saved their lives.

I have no way to know how St. Gianna felt after she was unable to serve as a medical missionary, but this story has been such an encouragement to me as I reflect on moments of disappointment or when I feel that gifts, talents, and desires I have been given might not be used or met. Her desire to witness to Christ by serving mothers and their babies in Brazil wasn’t granted this side of heaven, but it wasn’t wasted. The Lord knew that desire, honored it, and transformed it into an even greater witness to His presence, goodness, and faithfulness.

Just like St. Gianna, the Lord asks us to trust his timing and promise that nothing—not a single desire, gift, or talent—is wasted when it is laid at his feet. This weekend, join me in asking for the grace to trust more deeply in his timing and his promise.

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Wisdom from the Saints:

“The secret of happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for all that He, in His goodness, sends to us day after day.”

// St. Gianna Beretta Molla

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Scripture Quote:

“Wait for the Lord;
be strong and let your heart take courage;
yea, wait for the Lord!”

Psalm 27:14 (RSVCE)