Forthwith, we plan to fund raise to open a community center for the support of all Catholics and those most in need. Gemma Maria Umberta Pia Galgani, also known as the Flower of Lucca (Italy), was an Italian mystic often called the "Daughter of the Passion." Gemma was born on March 12, 1878, in Camigliano, a village in Tuscany near Lucca, Italy. Gemma Galgani, Venerable Fr. at pg. 1. "Gemma was gi
fted with no ordinary beauty. She was of dignified bearing, gentle and graceful, and although she dressed in the simplest way, without any ornament, she still appeared to the best advantage. Her eyes were known to be remarkably brilliant . . . [t]he piety and modesty manifested in her whole person . . . rendered her more attractive." See also The Life of St. Gemma Galgani, at pg. 36. Gemma was beatified on May 14, 1933 by Pope Pius XI and canonized on May 2, 1940, only 37 years after her death, by Pope Pius XII. She is the patron saint of those struggling with temptations against purity, the death of parents, those with tuberculosis, of students and of pharmacists. Her feast day is celebrated on April 11 (May 16 for the Passionists). Her parents, Enrico Galgani and Aurelia Landi Galgani, had eight children in total, five boys and three girls. Gemma Galgani, at pg. 1. Gemma herself was the fourth child and eldest daughter. Here are the names of her siblings (as recorded in family and diocesan biographies):
Gino Galgani – the eldest brother (sometimes listed as Luigi Gino); See Dairy of St. Gemma, pg. 33. Antonio Galgani;
Guido Galgani;
Angiolina Galgani;
Angelina Galgani (sometimes listed as a younger sister who died very young);
Eugenio Galgani; and
Juila Galgani. See Dairy, pg. 25. Early Childhood, Gemma's Mother
Gemma was baptized the day after her birth in the Parish Church of St. Michael in Camigliano. When Gemma was two years old she was sent to a private half-boarding school for little boys and girls of the best families. Gemma Galgani, at pg. 2. It was described that "Gemma gave evidence of ripe intelligence at a very young age and seemed to already have obtained the use of reason." "She was serious, thoughtful, wise in everything, and differed from all her companions. She never seen to cry nor to quarrel; her countenance was always calm and sweet." At a very young age, Gemma developed a love for prayer based on the example of her mother, who "was a saint and a most perfect model to all Catholic mothers." Gemma Galgani, at pg. 4-5. Her mother taught Gemma her first prayers at home and provided Gemma with spiritual guidance. See Dairy, pg. 11-12. Gemma Galgani, at pg. 5. Gemma received Confirmation on May 26, 1885. See Dairy, pg. 13. At Confirmation Mass, Gemma heard a voice in her heart saying to her "Are you willing to give your mother to me?" Id. Gemma was tested as an eight year old child to offer her mother willingly to heaven. Gemma Galgani, at pg. 8. Two months passed after Confirmation Mass, and while her mother was sick, Gemma never left her side. See Dairy, at 14. Tortuously, her father forced her to leave her mother's side for almost two months (July to September 1885) because her father was afraid Gemma would get sick as well. Gemma's mother passed away on September 19, 1886, when Gemma was eight. But See The Life of St. Gemma Galgani, at pg. 8-9. Her mother inspired Gemma's desire for heaven. See Dairy, pg. 37. Gemma Galgani, at pg. 31. When Gemma asked Jesus why He didn't take her to heaven with her mother, Jesus said "My daughter, I did not take you because during your life I will give you many occasions to gain more merit, increasing your desire for Heaven as you bear the trials of life with patience." See Dairy, at pg. 37. Confession, Formal Schooling, First Communion
Between the ages of 8-9, Gemma went to confession often. See Dairy at 15. At age 8, and beginning in 1886, Gemma was enrolled in the school run by the Sisters of St. Zita (Zitine Sisters) in Lucca. See Dairy, at 15. Gemma Galgani, at pg. 11. On June 19, 1887, when Gemma was 9, she received her first communion. See Dairy, at 17. Gemma Galgani, at pg. 14. Gemma's first communion resolutions were: 1.) I will receive Confession and Communion each time as though it were my last. 2.) I will visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament often, especially when I am afflicted. 3.) I will prepare myself for the feast of the Blessed Mother by some mortification, and every evening I will ask my heavenly Mother's blessing. 4.) I want to remain always in the presence of God. 5.) Every time the clock strikes, I will repeat three times "My Jesus, mercy." See Dairy at 21. Gemma Galgani, at pg. 15. Zita was attached to the Convent of St. Zita (also called the “Institute of St. Zita” or “Zitine School”). There, Gemma excelled in her studies — in the scholastic year 1893-94 she won the great Gold Prize for religious knowledge. Gemma Galgani, at pg. 26. She was known for her gentleness, devotion, and was described as the "soul of the school." Gemma Galgani, at pg. 19. Before Gemma was told to stop by her father, she would give everything she had to the poor, including bread, flower, linen, clothes, or whatever else she had. She wept when she could not give them anything. See Dairy, at 23. Gemma Galgani, at pg. 28. Gemma attended a retreat in 1891 ". . . and during this time, Gemma was to be completely changed as to give herself entirely to Jesus." See Dairy, at 29. From the ages of 14 to 17, from 1892 to 1895, Gemma received Communion three times a week and went to Confession three times a week. See Dairy, at 30. Completion of Studies
Unfortunately, due to her father’s financial difficulties and her own ill health, Gemma could not pursue further advanced studies and returned home to care for her siblings. See Dairy pg. 35. This appears to have happened in 1894 when Gemma was 16 years old. Gemma Galgani, at pg. 28-34. GEMMA WAS CURED FROM AN ILLNESS SURROUNDING THE PASSING OF HER BROTHER GINO IN 1894
When Gemma's brother Gino was sick tuberculosis, Gemma was so attached to himthat she “. . . started using all his things so that I would die too.” See Dairy, pg. 33-34. Gina passed away on September 11, 1894. Soon Gemma was forced to bed, ill for about three months, after which she was restored to health (a kind of miraculous recovery). But still weak, she was forbidden to continue attending her studies with the Zitine Sisters, and she ended school early. See Dairy, pg. 35. At the end of 1895, Gemma received from a relative a gold watch, and gold chain and cross. After wearing these "trinkets" out and about, Gemma encountered her guardian angel on her return. Fr. Germanus writes that this is "the first intimation we have of Gemma's familiar relations with the angelic spirits, which was afterwords so frequent and even daily." Germanus wrote further, "[a]t eighteen years of age, she was found worthy not only to hear the voice of Jesus, but to gaze at and talk to Him. She had then begun that supernatural life which by degrees rendered her so holy." Gemma Galgani, at pg. 30-31. In the beginning of 1986, she wrote in a little notebook: "[d]uring this new year, I resolve to begin a new life. I do not know what will happen to me during this year. But I abandon myself entirely to You my God. And all my aspirations and affections will be for You. I feel so weak, dear Jesus, but with Your help, I hope and resolve to live a different life -- that is, a life closer to You." See Dairy, pg. 36. Gemma Galgani, at pg. 29-30. The Healing of a Foot Condition in 1896
During the year 1896, when Gemma was 18, Gemma suffered from a serious condition in one foot (some accounts describe it as a necrosis, bone disease or ulcer). See Dairy, pg. 41. Gemma Galgani, at pg. 33. She had an operation on her foot in which she suffered much pain. as to both citations. After a novena and prayer for healing, the foot improved dramatically—some biographers regard it as an early, minor miraculous cure. Her Father's Passing (1897) and Gemma's Healing from Meningitis (1898)
Gemma's father passed away in 1897 from throat cancer. See Dairy, pg. 45. Gemma Galgani, at pg. 33-34. Upon her father's death, their family was destitute due to their father's bankruptcy in 1896, and Gemma stayed with her relatives. See Dairy, pg. 47. Gemma began to struggle with worldly desires during this time. See Dairy, pg. 47-48. In 1898, until March 1, 1899, Gemma fell gravely ill with spinal meningitis. See Dairy, pg. 49-50. The illness left her bedridden, paralyzed, and near death for several months. See Dairy, pg. 50. Gemma Galgani, at pg. 43. Gemma asked her guardian angel why Jesus wanted her to be sick and her angel said "[i]f Jesus afflicts you in body, it is always in order to purify your soul. Be good." See Dairy, pg. 51. Feeling tormented by the devil and helpless in her suffering, Gemma prayed fervently to the then Venerable Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin (now St. Gabriel Possenti). See Dairy, pg. 53-56, 57-58. She reported that Gabriel appeared to her in a vision, and through his intercession, she was miraculously healed overnight—regaining full use of her limbs and strength. See Dairy, pg. 57-58. From the moment she got up from her sickbed, her guardian angel began to be her master and guide. See Dairy, pg. 67.
‘Two hours later I got up … All at home were weeping for joy. I was pleased, not because I had regained my health, but because Jesus had chosen me for His daughter. And, indeed, before leaving me that morning He had said very clearly to my heart: “To the grace I have given you this morning others greater will be added.”’ Autobiography, pg. 50–52. Another account in the Passionist-history presentation says:
“On her sickbed … Gemma was … suffering. A novena was suggested as the only chance for a cure. At midnight on February 23rd, 1899, she heard the rattling of a rosary and realized that Venerable Gabriel was appearing to her. He spoke: ‘Do you wish to recover? Pray with faith every evening to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I will come to you until the Novena is ended, and will pray together to this Most Sacred Heart.’ … The grace was granted; Gemma was cured.”
Later in her life, Gemma received many mystical experiences and special graces. These were often misunderstood by others, especially her sister, causing ridicule. Throughout her life, Gemma longed to enter the convent, but her frail health made her ineligible. She accepted this disappointment with serenity, offering it to God as a sacrifice of love. On June 8, 1899, Gemma sensed inwardly that a special grace was to be bestowed upon her. That evening she experienced intense pain and saw blood flow from her hands, feet, and heart—the sacred marks of the stigmata. Each Thursday night she would fall into ecstasy as the wounds appeared, often remaining until Friday. In her Diary, Gemma frequently wrote of her guardian angel, whom she described as a constant protector. In one tender account, she said her angel even brought her a cup of coffee when she was weak. She was often consoled by visits from Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary, saints, and holy souls; at times she spoke of conversing with those beyond this world. In January 1903 Gemma was diagnosed with tuberculosis. Her final months were marked by intense physical suffering borne with unshakable faith. At the beginning of Holy Week that year her pain deepened, yet she remained serene. On Holy Saturday, April 11, 1903, at just twenty-five years old, Gemma surrendered her soul to God, passing into eternal life with peace and joy. The Parish Priest in her company said, "She died with a smile which remained upon her lips, so that I could not convince myself that she was really dead."
