By Maria Gallagher, Legislative Director, Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation
It would not be unusual for a woman in her 20s in the 21st century to question what is love. But it is unique that a person of that age would be able to answer that eternal query through her own life story.
Such is the case with Chiara Corbella Petrillo, whose biography of the same name is captivating readers worldwide.
Not once but three times Chiara could have been tempted to abort her baby. Yet, with courage and grace, she managed to say “yes” to life–even when her own life was slipping away from her.
Chiara’s first baby, Maria Grazia Letizia, was anencephalic, a condition in which a major part of the brain, skull and scalp are absent. Advocates of abortion refer to such cases as fetal abnormalities. Chiara and her husband, Enrico, saw her as a blessing. The book describes how Maria died a half hour after being born and baptized.
Despite the heartache of losing a child, the couple hoped to conceive again and did–a baby they named Davide Giovanni. This time, doctors discovered that the unborn child was missing one leg–the other was a stump.
Chiara is quoted as saying, “The first time, with Maria, the Lord asked us: ‘Are you willing to accompany a child even to where I ask you and no further?’ We did, and it was beautiful.
“The second time with Davide, He asked: ‘Are you prepared to accept a disabled child into your family, even one with serious problems?’ Also in that case we said yes, as in response to a gift of grace that had preceded us.”
A subsequent ultrasound revealed that Davide was missing kidneys and was unable to breathe properly. He also did not survive.
But a third pregnancy produced a healthy unborn baby. This time, however, Chiara herself became ill, as she battled cancer. Chiara postponed treatments in an effort to prevent putting the baby, who would be named Francesco, at risk.
As the authors write, “Chiara did not wish to risk the life of Francesco in order to save her own. It was not enough for her that the dangers to the baby were reduced; she desired that there were none at all.”
I will leave the story there, because you owe it to yourself to experience the book for yourself. It is a work that pays homage to the fact that no force on earth is stronger than a mother’s love, and even death cannot overcome it.
Editor’s note. This appeared at paprolife.us/blog and is reprinted with permission.