Books on St Gemma Galgani

Recommended books on St Gemma
Here is a list of recommended books on St Gemma.

These 8 books are excellent-
1) "The Life of Saint Gemma Galgani" by her spiritual director, Venerable Father Germanus CP. This book can be read in its entirety here on this website:
http://www.stgemmagalgani.com/p/the-life-of-saint-gemma-galgani.html
Also, it can be purchased from Amazon.com or a variety of other online booksellers.

2) "Portrait of St Gemma A Stigmatic" by Sister Saint Michael, 1950. This book is no longer in print but it can usually be found online through ABE Books or other online used book websites.-HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ***SEE COMMENT SECTION AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE CONCERNING THIS BOOK. Also, click here for an article about this excellent book
***Update May 16, 2013--this book has been republished and is availible here.
Also, ABE books has some used copies availible here:
Portrait of St Gemma book

3) "Autobiography of St Gemma Galgani" written by St Gemma under obedience to her spiritual director.-HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
I offer this book here on this website:
http://www.stgemmagalgani.com/2013/03/the-autobiography-and-diary-of-st-gemma.html

4) "Gemma Galgani A child of the Passion" by Philip Coghlan, 1914 This also is no longer in print but is readily availible through ABE books or other online used book websites. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

5) "St Gemma Galgani" by S. J. Rt. Rev. Leo Proserpio -EXCELLENT

6) "Blessed Gemma Galgani" by Benedict Williamson, 1933, Alexander Ouseley Ltd., 2nd edition--Note: The first edition was published right before Gemma's beatification under the title "Gemma of Lucca", Benedict Williamson, 1932. Both are essentially the same except the 2nd edition has some info at the end about her beatification.

7) St Gemma's Diary can be read in its entirety here: Diary of St Gemma Galgani

8)-"Blessed Gemma Galgani" by Father Amedeo, translated from Italian by Father Osmund Thorpe, Burns, Oates and Washbourne, 1935. -This book contains alot of details about Gemma that is not published elsewhere. This entire book has been published on this website and can be read here.

9) -“Gemma Galgani" Gem of Christ, by John-Paul Kirkham (Catholic Truth Society, 2011, 64 pgs.), offered here on this website for for U.S. $4.00 plus $2.50 shipping ($6.50 total). Click here for more info on ordering.

I have perhaps 8 or so others, but these are definitely the best in English.

By far the BEST and most informative book is the 1040 page "hagigography" on Saint Gemma written by Reverend Father P. Enrico Zoffoli C.P. called "La Povera Gemma" -Saggi Critici Storico, Teologici Edizioni "Il Crociffisso" Scali Santa Roma 2nd edition, 1957.
Unfortunately this book is currently only availible in Italian.

Here is a list of all the St Gemma books that I used for this website:
http://www.stgemmagalgani.com/2008/10/books-used-for-this-website.html

9 comments:

cate said...

Thanks for all these. I've only read her director's, but I'll have to pick these others up!

Glenn Dallaire said...

Hi Squix,
The book "Portrait of St Gemma -A Stigmatic" by Sister Saint Michael is so good, that if it wasn't for all the first hand details in Father Germanus' book, I would list this book as #1.
The Sister who wrote it had translated many of St Gemma's letters, which she intersperces throughout the book, and the the overall content and readability is just excellent.

Incidentally, this Sister (the author) was a teacher who had been devoted to St Gemma for decades. She used to teach her students about St Gemma.
Eventiually, in the mid 1940's, she became completely blind on the feast of St Gemma. She saw it as a "gift" from God, through St Gemma.
A few years later she wrote this book. It is a treasure.

Anonymous said...

thanks so much for posting thee book titles . . the first one, by Saint Gemma's spiritual director and the thrid title, of her own writings are two i definitely will order. and i am also happy that you listed the "costs" and the snail mail addresses for ordering because i don't usually order over the internet but prefer the old fashioned snail mail method . . . i am happy to have discovered Saint Gemma some months ago and want to read and learn more about her life and spiritual life . . . like saint Therese of Lisieux and Saint Faustina, she already feels like a friend accompanying me on my pilgrimage and is a welcome companion in my "pustinia" . . .

(michael g. batcho)

Glenn Dallaire said...

Hi Michael,
It is wonderful to hear of your devotion to St Gemma.
You will definitely enjoy both of those books.
Thanks for your kind comments.

May God bless you and yours,
Glenn

IVE said...

This is a great site. I also highly recommend Fr. Cornelio Fabro's book "Gemma Galgani", which is in Italian and Spanish.
God bless you all!

fr. Pablo, IVE

Glenn Dallaire said...

Hi Father Pablo,
Thank you for your comments.

I am glad to hear that you are enjoying the website.

Thanks also for the recommendation of Father Cornelio Fabro's book "Gemma Galgani".

May God bless you!
-Glenn Dallaire

Luke Stager said...

Apparently the book by Fr. Amedeo has been reprinted and was republished on Sept. 7 2012 and is available online. I've just bought it and I can't wait to read it.

I've said it before, but I'll say it again: this website is such a blessing. Thank you so much.

Glenn Dallaire said...


Hi Lamkstager,
Yes, I too am very happy to hear that Fr. Amedeo's book has been reprinted--this is great news since his is such an excellent biography on St Gemmma.

Thanks for your comment and may God bless you and your loved ones.
-Glenn Dallaire

Anonymous said...

St. Gemma, please bring this prayer to the altar of our loving father. That my beautiful daughter be relieved of debilitating migraines .
As you suffered with this pain you know the pain, she is a wife and mother whose kindness is exemplary. Please pray that this favor be granted and I will share your story far and wide in gratitude.

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