Saint Gianna’s Home for Mothers and Babies opens in Auckland

Saint Gianna’s Home for Mothers and Babies, serving pregnant mothers who face many difficulties, has opened in Auckland.

The Home provides a safe and positive home for mothers who need urgent accommodation because of their particular situation.  Often, mothers will be abortion-vulnerable.

A project of Family Life International New Zealand, Saint Gianna’s Home for Mothers and Babies is a natural extension of their ongoing pregnancy centre work through Gianna’s Choice Pregnancy Options and Support.

While the Home is based in Auckland, the organisation assists pregnant mothers throughout New Zealand.

In a joyful celebration, Saint Gianna’s Home for Mothers and Babies was officially opened and blessed by Auxiliary Bishop Michael Gielen on Friday 19 June, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Many supporters, mothers, babies, staff and volunteers gathered to mark the momentous occasion.

Dame Colleen Bayer, DSG, the Founder and Director of Family Life International is overjoyed at what has been a clear answer to prayer.

“I’ve been praying that a way would be made so we could open a permanent home for the abortion-vulnerable, and pregnant women who need accommodation for many different reasons.”

Through the work of FLI, over almost 30 years, thousands of babies and their mums have been saved from abortion.

Hundreds of those mothers have stayed with Colleen in her family home.  Others have stayed with members of the FLI family throughout the country.  The Saint John Paul II Centre for Life has also been used for accommodation.

At a time when a mother may be feeling turmoil, despair, and loneliness, the team step in to provide hope, joy and faith.

“Saint Gianna’s Home for Mothers and Babies is a place where the mothers we help can have a real home – their own home,” explained Bayer.

“It’s a place where mums can feel safe and loved.”

“It’s a place where mums can learn new skills and start making life-changing decisions that will take them forward in their lives.”

“It’s a place where mums and their precious babies can thrive!” she concluded.

Each mother’s situation is different, and assistance is given for as long as needed after baby is born.

The Home is named after Saint Gianna Beretta Molla, a wife, mother, and physician, who led a life of love, sacrifice, and service, drawing many people closer to God.  Her final sacrifice was to refuse abortion and choose life for her unborn child – her fourth – despite the impact on her own health.  She died one week after the birth of her daughter, Gianna Emanuela.

Saint Gianna is the patron saint of mothers, unborn children and physicians.

Although Saint Gianna’s Home for Mothers and Babies is already at full capacity, Dame Bayer urges people to approach the team if there is a real need.

“We will do whatever we can to help any mother in her greatest hour of need.”