St Gemma Galgani

St Gemma Galgani

"The Gem of Christ" 1878-1903

Saint of the Passion of Jesus

All content in this presentation taken from www.stgemmagalgani.com

At a glance…

Born: March 12, 1878 Extraordinary Mystical Experiences begin: 1898 Miraculous Cure: Friday, March 3, 1899 -1st Friday of the month (Sacred Heart devotion) Received Stigmata: June 8, 1899 -Vigil of the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Died: Holy Saturday, April 11, 1903 Beatified: May 14, 1933 by Pope Pius XI Canonized: May 2, 1940 by Pope Pius XII Patroness of Pharmacists, loss of parents, those suffering back injury or back pain, those suffering with headaches/migraines, those struggling with temptations to impurity and those seeking purity of heart. Feast Day: April 11th (or May 16th for those in the Passionist Congregation).


http://www.stgemmagalgani.com/2009/01/life-of-st-gemma-galgani.html

http://www.stgemmagalgani.com/2009/01/life-of-st-gemma-galgani.html

http://www.stgemmagalgani.com/2009/08/patron-saint-of-back-pain-spinal.html

http://www.stgemmagalgani.com/2009/08/patron-saint-of-back-pain-spinal.html

http://www.stgemmagalgani.com/2010/07/patron-saint-of-headaches-and-migraines.html

http://www.stgemmagalgani.com/2009/04/st-gemmas-heroic-chastity-and-purity.html

http://www.stgemmagalgani.com/2009/04/st-gemmas-heroic-chastity-and-purity.html

As a Child ….

St Gemma Age 7 with her younger sister Angelina

Saint Gemma was a layperson whose life was marked throughout by divine favors and extraordinary graces, and also great trials and sufferings. Though she was a extraordinary mystic and stigmatic, bearing in her body the marks of the Lord Jesus, her spiritual life was quite hidden from the world. She was never the object of public curiosity or veneration. From outward appearances her life seemed ordinary, but her soul lived in the heights. She was especially chosen by God to be a soul victim, that is, she was especially called to sacrifice and suffer for the conversion of sinners. In other words, she was a victim of Divine Love. Hers was a life of sacrifice and suffering for the conversion of sinners and in reparation for sin. All content in this presentation taken from www.stgemmagalgani.com

Early History Gemma was born at Camigliano, Italy on March 12th, 1878. She was the fourth of the eight children, and the eldest daughter of Henry and Aurelia Galgani. Her father was a very successfull Pharmacist (Apothecarist). A month after her birth the family removed to Lucca, where she remained the rest of her life. Sacrifice and suffering began for her at a very young age. Like all children, Gemma loved her mother with all her little heart. Her mother was a holy and devout Catholic, and Gemma’s first lessons in Christian piety were received on her mother’s knee, and it was by her mother’s side in their parish church that she first learned to taste the “hidden and unutterable sweetness of the Mass.” “It was Mamma,”she said years afterwards, “who as a child made me desire to go to Heaven.”


Gemma’s Parent’s


Mother’s Death Death of her mother It was during these tender years that her mother fell a victim to tuberculosis. Her long lingering illness, endured with saintly resignation, was made more difficult by the thought that she must soon leave her children when they most needed her care. Gemma came to know that her mother was going to the heaven of which she had so often heard her speak, and her great wish was to go with her. Every day as she returned from school her first thought was to hurry to her mothers sickroom fearing that her mother might have taken flight in her absence. Meanwhile the day of her Confirmation came, May 26th, 1885, and with it the first of those heavenly communications which played such a large a part in her spiritual life. During the Mass of thanksgiving after the ceremony “all of a sudden,” she tells us, “ a voice in my heart said to me: “Will you give me your Mamma? “Yes,” I answered, “if you will take me as well.” “No,” the voice replied, “give me your Mamma without reserve. I will take you to heaven later.” “I could only answer ‘Yes’ and when Mass was over I ran home.” It was her first great sacrifice and it cost her bitter grief and tears; but when her mother died a few months later it was Gemma who consoled the others. Gemma was only eight years old. “Why should we cry? Mamma is gone to heaven” she said.


The Giannini’s

Gemma moves into the Giannini home At this time Gemma’s father died, leaving the family destitute, and she was then obligated to live with one of her Aunts. Gemma was 19 years old at that time. “It is good to hide the secret of the King.”, and one of Gemma's chief anxieties was to keep secret of the great things God had done to her from the eyes of outsiders. It was soon evident that in her aunt’s house this was impossible. The younger members of the family were curious: not one was sympathetic: things began to be talked of outside, and much of what was said was not very kind. Gemma was frequently rapt in ecstasy even in the course of her daily occupations, and was thus at the mercy of those nearby who did not understand such extraordinary graces. She had to suffer much in consequence. At length, through the influence of the Passionist Fathers, she was received into the home of their benefactors the Giannini family; a well-known family in Lucca, first as an occasional guest, then finally as an adopted daughter. The household consisted of the father and mother with eleven children, and an aunt named Cecilia, who already knew and admired Gemma and was to become a adopted “mother” to her.


Gemma’s own illness She was especially drawn and devoted to the Passion of our Lord. “O Jesus,” she prayed, “I wish to follow You whatever it may cost me of suffering—to follow You fervently . . . . I wish to suffer for You.” Grave illness God was not long in answering her prayer for it was at this time that she was diagnosed with spinal tuberculosis (or possibly spinal meningitis). She had felt symptoms for awhile, but her pious repugnance to medical examination made her conceal it until she found herself bedridden. Her pitiful condition, and the patience and sweetness with which she suffered drew those who knew her to her bedside. One of these brought her the "Life of Venerable Gabriel Possenti", who was known for his sanctity and miracles though not yet canonized at that time. Gemma at first took little interest in the Life but having once invoked Brother Gabriel’s name in a distressing temptation with instant effect, she then read the book several times and thus developed a special devotion to him. Not long afterwards he appeared to her amidst her grave illness, speaking words of consolation and encouragement.


Miraculous Cure


Stigmata


Final Illness


First Miracle Miracle I: Elisa Scarpelli, a 10 year old child from Lappano, Italy. Elisa had cancerous ulcers spreading from her left jaw to the upper part her neck that began in September, 1932. She was first taken to the family physician, Dr. Augustine Intrieri, who initially treated it with a linseed poultice, without affect, then he opted for a surgical operation to remove the ulcers, which failed. She was then taken to another Physician, Francesco Guido, who applied various external ointments, to no avail. Afterwards several other Doctors tried numerous remedies, without any positive effect.


First Miracle On the day of Gemma’s Beatification, Elisa, upon hearing that Gemma was to be declared "Blessed” by the Holy Father, Pope Pius XI, on that very same day she took a picture of Gemma, and full of faith and hope she removed the bandages from her face, and applied the picture directly to the cancerous ulcers. She said quote "Gemma…..look at me and have pity on me; please cure me!” The wounds were instantly healed. She looked into the mirror, astonished, and cried out “Mother!” Her mother, who was in another room, immediately entered and upon seeing her daughter completely cured, was overcome by emotion. Physicians afterwards attested to this miraculous cure, as is required by the official canonization process.


Second Miracle Miracle II: The second miracle also occurred in the town of Lappano, Italy. Noel Scarpelli (no relation to Elisa) was a farmer with a wife and one child. He began suffering in 1918 with a severe case of varicose veins in his legs. An operation was performed, and this helped until April 3, 1935, on which day he wounded his left leg in an accident. Soon after the accident, a painful, festering ulcer appeared. A few weeks later, on May 18, 1935 he was obliged to visit the family Doctor, complaining of the large sore and severe pains in that area of his leg. The local Physician, Dr Valentini, diagnosed an ulcerous tumor in the leg. The physician prescribed a treatment, which was of no effect, and the ulcerous wound began to spread and discharge matter. Noel soon became bedridden, and as the sole provider, he sadly could no longer bring in income for his family. His daughter had heard of Blessed Gemma (through the previous miracle that occurred in the same town, mentioned in the paragraph above) and she said to her Father- "Papa, let us invoke Blessed Gemma. She cured our neighbor Elisa, why should she not cure you also?”


Second Miracle The family happened to have a relic of Gemma, so the mother, father and daughter all prayed to Gemma together, promising her that they would make the cure known, if it was God’s will that he be cured. The daughter then took the relic of Blessed Gemma, and made the sign of the cross over the ulcer. A few minutes later, Mr Scarpelli felt unusually well, and teased his daughter saying “now why did you not thinking of placing the relic on my leg long before”. Surprisingly, Mr Scarpelli soon grew very tired and fell into a deep sleep, something he rarely did because of the severe pains in his leg. The following morning when the family awoke, they discovered that he had been miraculously cured, the huge ulcerous cavity had been filled with fresh skin, the pain was gone, and he was able to get out of bed and walk normally. Both miracles were submitted by the Holy

Father on December 8, 1938 and on March 26, 1939 Pope Pius XII officially recognized them. Gemma was canonized the following year by Pope Pius XII on May 2, 1940. On that day Gemma officially became Saint Gemma Galgani.


Third Miracle “Marianna Angelini, a Roman, twenty years ago had to undergo an operation for a tumor on her breast. Fifteen years later, in August, 1903, the operation had to be repeated in St. James' Hospital, Rome. It seemed a success, but, after the lapse of four years, a fresh tumor appeared, and a third operation was advised. The poor sufferer was undergoing excruciating torments night and day, which rendered her right arm powerless. Almost in despair, she appealed to all the Saints, until, hearing of Gemma of Lucca, she turned to her with confidence. She applied a relic and a picture of the Servant of God to the part affected, and, having begun a tridiuum of prayers, although up to that time she had not been able to get any rest, she fell into a tranquil sleep. As soon as her mother awoke, her child, age four, ‘told her that a beautiful girl had come to her and assured her of Mamma's recovery’. It was so, for the invalid, having slept well all that night, felt perfectly free from pain; and, on her return, the surgeon found that there was no longer any need of an operation. In token of their gratitude, this lady and her husband gave a sum of money, more than proportionate to their means, toward the Cause of the Beatification of their benefactress.”


More Photos of Gemma


Beatification & Canonization


In Conclusion


St Gemma Galgani

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