Contact: Jenn Giroux, St. Gianna Physician's Guild, 888-368-8586, info@stgiannaphysicians.org

SAN DIEGO, June 8, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- St. Gianna Physician's Guild announced today that the youngest daughter of the group's patron saint will be coming to the United States for the first time in July to participate in a special conference the Guild is organizing to address end of life issues. Dr. Gianna Emanuela Molla will be joining Cardinal Raymond Burke, and other experts, who will provide an insight into challenging issues related to the "Culture of Life."

Dr. Molla, a geriatrician, will speak about the life and legacy of her saintly mother. The daylong conference is being held in Kansas City on July 23, and is titled: "Being Faithful, Even Unto Death (cf Revelation 2:10): Catholic wisdom on the treatment of the disabled and dying." "The conference aims to provide a medical, legal and doctrinal analysis of Catholic care of the disabled and dying" said Thomas McKenna, the organizations founder.

St. Gianna Beretta Molla was canonized a saint in May of 2004, the last saint to be canonized by Blessed Pope John Paul II. She was a dedicated wife, mother and physician and is well known because she sacrificed her life when she was two months pregnant with her fourth child and doctors discovered a tumor in her uterus. She opted for a risky operation to remove the tumor that preserved the life of her child rather than undergo a hysterectomy. Six days after giving birth to Gianna Emanuela she died from complications. Dr. Gianna Emanuela, together with her two siblings, marks the first time in the history of the Church that a saint was canonized and the children were living and attended the canonization of their parent.

Fr. Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life stated: "It is a blessing for any nation to be visited by the daughter of a saint and to be reminded of a life of heroic virtue. In this case in particular, however, the visit of Gianna Emanuela is a call to America to recapture its own heart, to rekindle its commitment to the right to life, which it was founded to protect. St. Gianna Molla can teach America what true freedom is meant to be -- a gift in the service of life!"

A special Mass will be celebrated by Fr. Frank Pavone at the shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylsestown, Pennylvania on Tuesday, July 12 at 7:00 PM. Following Mass Dr. Molla will speak about her mother and several relics will be exposed for public veneration. Other venues include New Jersey, San Diego, Los Angeles and Lincoln, Nebraska. For more information and to view the schedule of other events please visit www.StGiannaPhysicians.org.