The immedingers were saxon nobility descended from. She did not imagine that there was anything exceptional in her own experience. Gemma galgani is a saint whose whole life was dedicated to the love of christ crucified. The saint who lived from 18781903 is an antidote against loneliness, say authors father bruno moriconi and. Gemma galgani was baptized on march th, 1878 by fr. St gemmas desire to become a passionist nun appearences of the child jesus saint gemmas call to become a passionist two appearances of the child jesus this article begins with a letter from saint gemma to her confessor, monsignor giovanni volpi, the auxiliary bishop of lucca. She died in 1971, and was officially declared venerable by pope benedict xvi on march 15th, 2008.
St gemma galgani the gem of christ in honour of saint. Gemma galgani 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. Paul of the cross, gemma galgani s life carries a great message for all passionists. Saint gemma galgani march 12th 1878 april 11th 1903 a. Maria gemma umberta galgani 12 march 1878 11 april 1903 was an italian mystic. For two years she had to stayed in bed and seemed very close to death. Marcella provides the only information we have about st. At three years of age gemma, together with her sisters and her very young brothers, was sent to a private school. Gemma galgani could see her guardian angel and developed a strong relationship with him. Gemma galgani a hidden gem who one day, made me serious about my catholic faith. To bring souls to jesus through prayer and teaching was the one passion of her life. Her father, enrico galgani, was a welltodo pharmacist, and her mother aurelia galgani was the mother of a family of eight, of which gemma. And because there is already so much information on the st gemma galgani website, there really is no need to duplicate it here.
Another time gemma writes today i thought i was to be entirely free from that nauseous animal, and instead he has knocked me about greatly. The church authorities began to study gemma s life in 1917 and she was beatified in 1933 by pope pius xi. Gemma galgani, also known as the flower of lucca, was an italian mystic often. After her death he wrote a first hand biography of gemma entitled the life of saint gemma galgani gemma moves into the giannini home at this time gemmas father died, leaving the family destitute, and she was then obligated to live with one of her aunts. Oct 09, 2016 the incredible true story about a miracle of st. The childs mother was worried that this name was not a saints name, but a priest friend comforted her with the remark that perhaps the child would one day be a gem of paradise. Therese of lisieux, gemma experienced spiritual desolation near the end of her life. Germanus stepped in at a crucial time for gemma, noted after this cure that about this time gemma began to lead that heavenly and singular life which finds a parallel in very few lives of the greatest saints fr. Maria gemma umberta galgani 12 march 1878 11 april 1903 was an italian mystic, venerated as a saint in the roman catholic church since 1940. He goes into great details and gives many stories concerning saint gemma s extraordinary mystical life. She has been called the daughter of the passion because of her profound imitation of the passion of christ. Lucca born gemma galgani was a quiet and reserved child who had a ready smile for everyone.
She was extremely close to our lord and shared intimately in the sufferings of his passion. Maria gemma umberta pia galgani was an italian mystic, venerated as a saint in the roman catholic church since 1940. Saint gemma galgani pleads with god for the conversion of a sinner. The decree approving the miracles for canonization was read march 26th, 1939 passion sunday. Contentsshow early life maria gemma umberta pia galgani or gemma galgani as she became commonly known was born on march 12, 1878, in. Gemma galgani which took place in 2003 in israel and led to the conversion of a muslim to the catholic faith. Gemma galgani, pictured above, who was an extraordinary mystic and stigmatist. Beatification and canonization as a catholic saint. A doctor was called in and tried many remedies which all failed. Love thy jesus, who has lifted thee out of so much misery. The attending physician left amazed that gemma died with a smile on her lips and without tears.
According to a biography written by her spiritual director, germanus ruoppolo, galgani began to display signs of the stigmata on 8 june 1899, at the age of twentyone. With zeal the young saint applied herself to devotion. People that knew her were shocked to learn that the kind, quiet girl they. She is especially venerated in the congregation of the passion. Gemma galgani died at the young age of 25 on april 11, 1903 feast day, but she lived an extraordinary life. As a teen, i had the exact same saint book you had, her picture on the front. Even her spiritual director had his doubts, but eventually, he became convinced of the authenticity of her mystical life. Gemma galgani died on april 11, 1903 at the age of 25. She died with a smile which remained upon her lips, so that i could not convince myself that she was really dead. Gemma wished to become a nun, but her poor health prevented her from. Gemma galgani, patron saint of students, taught people about faith and guardian angels. Gemma galgani, also known as the flower of lucca, was an italian mystic born. No matter our vocation or state in life, here are some lessons we can all learn from this beautiful young woman. The decree approving the miracles for canonization was read march 26th, 1939.
In saint john pauls letter to artists he referred to artists as images of the creator. After her death, he collected all of saint gemma galgani s writings and wrote a detailed biography about her. The first time she did that, on holy thursday night, she had a mystical. Eufemia would later become a passionist nun, taking the name of gemma, and in 1939 she founded the passionist sisters of st gemma galgani, and became the mother of the new community. Forgiveness, grace, crucified jesus, intercession, purity and help in temptations o bright flower of heaven, st gemma, mirror of purity and penance, obtain for us the grace of purity and help us against all temptations of the flesh. Apr 11, 2018 saint gemma galgani is an italian mystic whose feast day is celebrated on april 11 by the passionists on may 16. She has been called the daughter of passion because of her profound imitation of the passion of christ. Life of st gemma galgani biographical sketch of st gemma galgani saint gemma was a layperson whose life was marked throughout by divine favors and extraordinary graces, and also great trials and sufferings. Zita, chronic ill health forced to quit before completing the course of her studies. To be called to be a passionist is a calling to suffer many things, like jesus himself who came not to be served but to serve and to offer his life for his brothers and sisters. All powerful god, you made the virgin, saint gemma galgani, a living image of your crucified son. Many of the adult writings about her life, including her own writings, are not understandable for children.
Gemma galgani, also known as the flower of lucca, was an italian mystic born on march 12, 1878. She was the fourth of eight children and the eldest daughter. Galgani, who figured prominently in her life, and who became a most important witness during the processes for her beatification. Apr 20, 2015 saint gemma is the saint of love and happiness. Gemma was born on march 12, 1878, in the hamlet of borgo nuovo in the provincial town of capannori. Gemma passed her childhood and youth in her own home under the watchful eye of her parents.
The devils war against st gemma and his attempt to seperate her from her loved ones. Gemma galgani there is little to be said about her life. The childs mother was worried that this name was not a saint s name, but a priest friend comforted her with the remark that perhaps the child would one day be a. They were often misunderstood and ridiculed by others. Gemma began a devotion to venerable gabriel possenti of the sorrowful mother now st. Since his correspondence was acquainted with the details of st. Gemma was born in italy in 1878 and died fairly young at age 25, yet she displayed such holiness that she was canonized by the church in 1940. A spiritual daughter of st paul of the cross, gemma galganis life carries a great message for all passionists. After her fathers death, the 19yearold gemma became the motherfigure for her seven.
I am gemma galgani 2003 miracle of saint gemma galgani. Then the thoughts crowded thickly within me, and they were thoughts of. Gemma galgani from lucca, most pure virgin, being in her twentyfifth year, died of consumption, but was more consumed by the fire of divine love than by her wasting disease. She is the patron saint against temptations, against the death of parents, against tuberculosis, of students and of pharmacists. April 11 is the wonderful feast day when we celebrate her life. Devoted to the local saint and mystic gemma galgani located on via di tiglio outside the medieval walls of lucca, the region of tuscany, italy. Heres a biography of saint gemma galgani and a look at miracles from her life. I became senseless and remained lying there until i came to myself a long time afterwards. Simeon stylites greeted his sister in christ and praised her perfection in the christian virtues. Gemma galgani is the patron saint of students, and those suffering from back pains and other backrelated injuries. The stigmata of st gemma galgani from the autobiography of st. Galganis relics are housed at the sanctuary of santa gemma associated with the. Those who have read some of the life of saint gemma know of the frequent attacks of the devil upon the saint.
In the east as well as west, her name and virtues were known and praised. When she was about nineteen, gemma became very sick. Gemma s father was a descendent from the family of st. Saint gemma galgani passionist audiobook part 1 of 2.
Saint gemma galgani 18781903 find a grave memorial. Mar 11, 2020 when she was about nineteen, gemma became very sick. Beyond the appearances there is an extraordinary saint. Favored with many mystical experiences throughout her life, she. Gemma galgani, 18781903 a spiritual daughter of st.
Gemma galgani was one of those privileged souls who could see her guardian angel and talk with him on a regular basis. Her stigmata did not become visible until after her death. A spiritual daughter of st paul of the cross, gemma galgani s life carries a great message for all passionists. Born at camigliano in tuscany, she suffered from tuberculosis of the spine with aggravated curvature, and, though she considered herself cured by a vision of the young saint gabriel possenti, she could not obtain a certificate of health enabling her to enter a convent, as she wished. The church authorities began to study gemmas life in 1917 and she was beatified in. Everyone has a guardian angel, but not everyone is graced with a personal relationship with them. Maria gemma umberta pia galgani or gemma galgani as she became commonly known was born on march 12, 1878, in the hamlet of borgo nuovo in the provincial town of capannori. Gemma saw her guardian angel with her own eyes, touched him with her hand, as if he were a being of this world, and would. Gemma galgani, the patron saint of students and others, taught others valuable lessons about faith during her brief lifetime from 1878 1903 in italy. Gemma galgani was born to ernic and aurelia galgani on march 12, 1878, in the town of camigliano, in the country of italy. Gemma galgani is a saint who needs to be more wellknown and could be a great model and intercessor for our times. Gemma galgani was born on march 12, 1878, in a small italian town near lucca.
From then on, gemma prayed a holy hour every thursday evening. Gemma galgani was canonized on may 2, 1940 by pope pius xii. Genevieve 422512, who became the patron saint of paris, was famous throughout the world even in her own lifetime. In seeking a patron saint, especially for children, perhaps some may find the holy life of st gemma galgani to be an inspiration and example to imitate. Emma lived in the early 11th century, and was born into the immedinger family. In the month of september of the same year she becomes ill seriously.
When gemma was only five years old she read the office of our lady and the office of the dead from the breviary as easily and quickly as a grown person. Gemma galgani, also known as the flower of lucca, was an italian. This book is a very inspiring and edifying and really provides an intimate look into the life of st. He goes into great details and gives many stories concerning saint gemmas extraordinary mystical life. Maria gemma umberta pia galgani march 12, 1878 april 11, 1903 was an italian mystic, venerated as a saint in the roman catholic church since 1940. St gemma galgani the lover of jesus mystics of the church.
She wished to become a nun, but her poor health prevented her from being accepted. Gemma finally got her wish of being in a religious order, albeit posthumously. Gemma, mirror of innocence and penance, may we who humbly invoke thy heavenly intercession obtain from thee the grace of purity in all our thoughts, words and actions. I went that same day to confession, and i told monsignor monsignor giovanni volpi, gemmas confessor editor. Apr 16, 2017 saint gemma galgani pleads with god for the conversion of a sinner. Gemma galgani s home in lucca, italy where she first received the wounds of the holy stigmata note. She wished to become a nun, but her poor health prevented her from being.
Gemma galgani jesus gives st gemma the stigmata on june 8th 1899 after communion, jesus told me that that evening he would give me a very great grace. Upon the death of her husband, she retired to a roman monastery and ultimately became its superior. Paul of the cross, gemma galganis life carries a great message for all passionists. She is the first female inhabitant of the city to be known by name. Saint gemma galgani is the patron saint of those who suffer with. These were often misunderstood by others, causing ridicule. She wanted to be a passionist religious nun but was not accepted due to her health so she joined the lay passionist association and took private vows as.
The church authorities began to study gemmas life in 1917 and she was beatified in 1933 by pope pius xi. After that, gemma wanted to become a passionist nun. Maria gemma umberta galgani was an italian mystic, venerated as a saint in the roman catholic church since 1940. At the time when gemma was a child in the late 1880s, children normally did not receieve jesus for the first time in holy commuinion until around the age 12. At a very young age, gemma developed a love for prayer. Gabriel possenti, a saint of the passionist order, appeared to her in a vision, and she was miraculously cured.
Saint emma, also known as emma of lesum, or emma of stiepel, lived in the city that is bremen today. Saint gemma galgani died on holy saturday, april 11, 1903, at borgo nuovo di camigliano, lucca, italy of tuberculosis. She declined two marriage proposals and became a housekeeper with the. Years later, in my late twentiesearly thirties, i happened upon her biography you mentioned. One of those lessons is how guardian angels can give people wise guidance for every aspect of their lives.
So i think then, the purpose of this article should be to briefly highlight the life of this extraordinary saint, pointing to the information that is already available on the st gemma galgani website. Born in 1878, over years ago, she is showing the world that the way of the cross leads to love, joy peace and sanctity. On the eleventh of april, 1903, the vigil of easter, her soul took its flight to the bosom of her heavenly spouse. St gemma galgani the gem of christ mystic, stigmatic and victim soul. In january 1903, gemma was diagnosed with tuberculosis. This website is devoted to saint gemma galgani with over 70 articles and many of her writings, along with official photographs and numerous examples of her heroic life, in hopes that it will inspire in others a greater love and devotion for jesus and mary. Gemma galgani was born in a small italian town near lucca.
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