The Sisterhood
History of the Sisterhood
2006
Jennifer Meets St. Gianna
Jennifer, the founder of our ministry, was introduced to St. Gianna Molla by Dianne Traflet, Associate Dean of the Immaculate Conception School of Theology at Seton Hall University.
After being told she may never have children at 16 years old due to severe endometriosis, Jennifer prayed for St. Gianna to intercede to Jesus that she could have a child.
2007
Jennifer Becomes a Mother
Jennifer and her husband, Derek, welcome their first baby, Gianna. They have since grown their family to include seven children here and four in Heaven.
2008
Prayer Leads to Relics
Baby Gianna was having some health problems and needed to see a neurologist. Jennifer reached out to the priest who baptized Gianna to pray for her. This priest was on a plane back from Rome when he began to pray the rosary. A man next to the priest asked to join him in prayer. When the priest prayed for intercession on behalf of a baby named Gianna, the neighboring man said, “Father, I can’t believe it! These must be for you!” He handed the priest two second-class relic cards he received at the dedication of St. Gianna’s shrine in Italy.
2009
Miracles Are Witnessed
In thanks to St. Gianna for her interceding prayers, Jennifer coordinated a relic presentation by Robert White, President of the St. Gianna Society. At this presentation, Jennifer was a witness to two miracles after praying with people while they held St. Gianna’s relics.
2010
The Relic Travels
Jennifer began lending the second class relic card to women experiencing pregnancy complications, infertility, or illness.
2018
The Relic is Lost
The relic was not returned to Jennifer. Devastated, she contacted the Shrine in Italy and asked them to pray for its return.
2020
Relics from Gianna Emanuela
Jennifer received an email from St. Gianna’s daughter, Gianna Emanuela. Touched by Jennifer's work in spreading devotion to St. Gianna, Gianna Emanuela replaced the relic with an identical relic and others! When Jennifer received the package from Italy and held the 15 second-class relic cards, she heard the word "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Relics of St. Gianna."
2020
The Relics Get Social
On August 1, 2020, the first Instagram post of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Relics was posted. Jennifer assembled a team of volunteers from the United States who would be willing to send holy cards to women who requested them.
2021
International Need
Jennifer requested that Gianna Emanuela send some cards in order to expand the ministry team to every continent.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Relics of St. Gianna now operates in the United States, Mexico, Croatia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Mozambique, Canada, Brazil, the Philippines, Lebanon, India, and Australia.
The holy cards are now printed in five languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Tagalog, and Arabic.
2025
Charitable Organization Recognition
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Relics of St. Gianna became an official 501(c)(3).
Jennifer Nelson, Founder & President
Pictured in the chapel where she first asked for St. Gianna's intercession
Photo by Joy Yagid
Connection
Through written reflections and stories, the ministry helps deepen devotion and understanding of St. Gianna's witness, encouraging women to live their vocations with faith, courage, and love.
Prayer
Members of our Sisterhood Prayer Network commit to praying for the intentions submitted by recipients, fostering a sense of spiritual companionship rooted in faith, compassion, and trust in God.
Presence
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Relics of St. Gianna mails relic-touched prayer cards of St. Gianna to women around the world free of charge, and miscarriage care packages to women in the continental United States.
How We Serve
The Sisters
Christina
Volunteer Ministry Sister
Darcie
Volunteer Ministry Sister
Dr. Denise
Volunteer Ministry Sister
Jennifer
Founder, President
Jess
Volunteer Ministry Sister
Jessie
Volunteer Ministry Sister
Mandy
Volunteer Ministry Sister
Margaret
Volunteer Ministry Sister
Martina
Volunteer Ministry Sister
Melissa
Volunteer Ministry Sister
Sabrina
Volunteer Ministry Sister
Yvetta
Volunteer Ministry Sister
Worldwide Sisterhood
This map reflects the living, growing presence of the Sisterhood across the world. Each point marks a woman who has answered the call to walk in spiritual sisterhood, united by faith, prayer, and devotion to St. Gianna Beretta Molla.
Though separated by distance, we are connected through shared intention, mutual support, and a commitment to uphold the dignity of life and womanhood wherever we are planted. Together, these locations form a global tapestry of prayer, witness, and hope