When Gianna was 12 years old, like other members of her family, she
became involved in Catholic Action. Catholic Action was a movement
whose aim was to mobilize the Catholic laity to live a more intense
spiritual live. This would in turn inspire many and varied types of
charitable and apostolic work on every level of society. Gianna took
the program to heart and lived it to the fullest: Eucharistic devotion,
apostolic action, and heroic purity.
In this atmosphere, Gianna’s resolutions strengthened and matured.
While attending the university, Gianna became a leader in Catholic
Action. All of her free time was devoted to apostolic work. She planned
conferences, retreats, and excursions for the younger girls. Although
wartime made this mission very difficult, Gianna persevered and worked
untiringly for the good of souls who more than ever needed spiritual
strength. Many of the individuals she was involved with or served testified
that they rediscovered their faith in God through Gianna’s
example.
Gianna’s words reflect how much she internalized what she
had learned in Catholic.
Action:
“Do not be afraid to defend
the honor of God, to defend the Church,
the Pope and priests. This is the moment to act. We must not remain
indifferent in the face of the enemy’s campaign against religion and
morals. We of Catholic Action must be the first to defend the sound
foundation and the sacred Christian tradition of our homeland.,,,,,
Would you be willing to give your lives for Christ the King? You
Who say ‘no’ to your eyes, to your gluttony, you who find the
difficulty to help around the house or to pray for a few minutes…?”
Taking some of the younger members with her, Gianna would visit the poor
and sick in their homes, bringing them food and medicine and attending to
the housekeeping.
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While in her youth and young adulthood, Gianna lived the service
of Catholic Action. The young girls were attracted to her by her shining
example of self-sacrifice
and prayer; they eagerly sought her advise and followed her suggestions.
Gianna was frequently elected to positions of leadership and trust in Catholic
Action.
In the three
years before her marriage, she was both president and delegate of her whole
area.
To assist others with their mission, Gianna offered her own program of spiritual
life:
Morning & Evening prayers, not in bed but on
your knees
Holy Mass
Holy
Communion
Meditation, at least 10 minutes
Visit to the Saint Sacrement
Holy Rosary, without Our Lady’s help no one enters Paradise
GIANNA LIVED THE CATHOLIC ACTION MOTTO THE REST OF HER LIFE
PRAYER ----- ACTION ------ SACRIFICE