Saint Gianna Beretta Molla

at the age of 33 on her wedding day,

September 24, 1955

The Basilica of Martino in Magenta

Hymn to the Smile

Written when Gianna was in her 20's after the death of her parents

taken from the Writings of Gianna Beretta Molla

Notebooks of Recollection, Nos. 6-7

TO SMILE AT GOD

FROM WHOM ALL GIFTS COME TO US.

TO SMILE TO GOD, THE FATHER,

WITH EVER MORE PERFECT PRAYERS TO THE HOLY SPIRIT.

TO SMILE AT JESUS,

DRAWING NEAR HIM IN HOLY MASS,

IN COMMUNION, IN VISITS TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT.

TO SMILE AT HIM WHO PERSONIFIES CHRIST, THE POPE;

AT HIM WHO PERSONIFIES GOD, OUR CONFESSOR,

EVEN WHEN HE CALLS US TO MORTIFICATION.

TO SMILE AT THE HOLY VIRGIN,

MODEL UPON WHICH WE MUST PATTERN OUR LIVES,

SO THAT WHOEVER LOOKS AT US MAY BE LED TO GOOD THOUGHTS.

TO SMILE AT THE GUARDIAN ANGEL

BECAUSE HE WAS GIVEN US BY GOD TO GUIDE US TO PARADISE.

TO SMILE AT PARENTS, BROTHERS, AND SISTERS,

BECAUSE WE OUGHT TO BE TORCHES OF JOY,

WHEN THEY IMPOSE DUTIES ON US THAT GO AGAINST OUR PRIDE.

TO SMILE ALWAYS, PARDONING OFFENSES.

TO SMILE IN THE ASSOCIATION,

BANISHING ANY CRITICISM AND MURMURING.

TO SMILE AT THOSE WHOM THE LORD SENDS US

DURING THE DAY.

THE WORLD SEEKS JOY BUT DOES NOT FIND IT

BECAUSE IT IS FAR FROM GOD.

WE, FULL OF THE JOY THAT COMES FROM JESUS,

CARRY JOY IN OUR HEARTS WITH JESUS.

HE WILL BE THE STRENGTH THAT HELPS US.