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Daughter Of Modern Day Saint Talks About Her Mother's Life

By Mark Abrams

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The daughter of a modern-day saint speaks of the courage and the deep faith of a mother who gave her life so she could live.

Dr. Gianna Emanuella Molla, of Milan, is the daughter of St. Gianna - an Italian pediatrician, wife and mother. She was canonized "mother of the family" in 2004 by then Pope John Paul II.

St. Gianna is one of two patron saints for the World Meeting of Families here in Philadelphia. The other is St. John Paul II.

The younger Gianna says she tries to live as an example of her mother's deep faith and is a witness to the power of prayer.

"Nothing is impossible with God and that we have to go on and pray with constant prayers."

Her mother died in 1962, shortly young Gianna was born. Her mother died of complications of tumor she refused to have removed because she believed it would jeopardize the life of her unborn baby.

The younger Gianna says she is grateful her mother spared her life and recognizes the sacrifice both made for her.

"I am very honored, very happy to have so blessed parents."

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