St Gemma and the Prostitute


In her extraordinary love for Jesus, Gemma sought continuously to bring souls to Him through every means possible. Jesus had given her the mission of a soul victim to sacrifice and suffer for the conversion of sinners, and she did so with all the fibres of her heart.

There lived in the city of Lucca a woman who unfortunately felt constrained to offer herself for money. During this time, in the year 1899, Gemma was very ill and her family sought help in caring for her. Hoping to earn some additional money, the woman offered her assistance in caring for Gemma. She began assisting in the care of Gemma, however soon afterwards her family was informed of the womans reputation as a prostitute, and Gemma’s Aunt immediately sought to send her away.

Hearing of this, Gemma called her Aunt to her and said-
“Did Jesus reject the Magdalene because she was a sinner? Please let her continue to come. Who knows, perhaps we may succeed in doing her some good. I beg you, do not send her away”

Unable to resist the pleadings of Gemma her aunt gave in and allowed the woman to continue to care for Gemma. Knowing of Gemma’s illness and poverty during this time, Gemma’s other Aunt named Carolina who lived in Camaiore would occasionally send Gemma some money, to help with her medical expenses. Now Gemma, seeking every means possible to help this woman that she may no longer offend God by her sinful way of obtaining money, gave the woman this money on several occasions, even going so far as to pay the womans rent. Adding her fervent prayers to her deeds, she at last snatched the woman from the hands of the devil and obtained the womans conversion. In writing concerning this account several years afterwards, Ven Father Germanus adds that the woman made a general Confession and has since led a good life.

Gemma’s last victory for the conversion of sinners was a man of Lucca who she did not know personally, but whose obstanancy in sin was made manifest to her by a Priest friend. For many weeks durning her last illness, she prayed fervently to Jesus with her customary burning love for this gentleman’s conversion. Concerning him she said-
“I will carry him on my shoulders for the whole of Lent, then afterwards he will be taken off.”

On Holy Thursday, two days before her death, her Priest friend visited her and told her with great joy of the extraordinary conversion of this great sinner that had just occurred. Two days later Gemma flew to heaven having obtained another soul for her Jesus.

This article is taken primarily from the rare book “A Lover of the Cross –St Gemma Galgani” published in 1940 by the Passionist Nuns of the Monastery/Sanctuary of St Gemma in Lucca, Italy. Both stories are also contained in the book "The Life of St Gemma Galgani" by Venerable Padre Germanus CP.
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“This one Jesus, this one… remember that I want him saved together with me. Please don’t forget Jesus, I want him saved together with me.” -St Gemma Galgani

St Gemma and the Priesthood


St Gemma offers herself in reparation for souls, especially Priests and Nuns

This article is in honor of the "Year for Priests" requested by Pope Benedict XVI, which begins on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, June 19, 2009. It is taken primarily from the rare book “A Lover of the Cross –St Gemma Galgani” published in 1940 by the Passionist Nuns of the Monastery/Sanctuary of St Gemma in Lucca, Italy.

Gemma, who knew many of the secrets of the King, knew thouroughly well that those who, at times, most saddened the Heart of Jesus, were the ones who being consecrated to His service, should be enterely His. They, above all, should be the victims of His love and be the one's who especially make love and reparation the essence of their lives. However, such a most beautiful sacrifice is marred whenever such consecrated ones are slothful and cold, or in the extreme cases, deliberately sinful.

In light of this, Jesus showed Gemma in an extraordinary manner how victims were required not only for the conversion of sinners in general, but especially in reparation for some Priests and consecrated souls who, although consecrated to God, were living willful lives of sin. These consecrated souls who by their deliberate sins so wounded the Heart of Jesus, that Gemma, in her great love for Him, would do anything to bring Him some comfort amidst the sufferings of seeing the deliberate offenses of His “chosen ones”. And to encourage her to sacrifice and suffer in reparation for these and for all souls in general, one day Jesus appeared to her and made her hear a pitiful com­plaint. He said:

“How much ingratitude and wickedness there is in this world! Sinners continue to live obstinately in their sins ... My Father will no longer bear them ... Depraved and weak souls do not have the strength to overcome their sins ... Afflicted souls fall into confusion and despair ... The fervent have be­come tepid ... And, the ministers of my Sanctuary ... I have entrusted to them the great work of assisting in the Redemption... My Father will no longer tolerate even them*... I continually give them light and strength, and on the contrary they!... These whom I have looked at with predilection, whom I have always regarded as my most dear ones! ... ".
Here Jesus was silent, and then He went on:
"I continually receive but ingratitude from creatures: their indif­ference is increasing and few repent. And from Heaven I let pour down graces and favours on all crea­tures ... ". It seemed that Jesus would have went on, but Gemma with her heart breaking could no longer stand it and broke in saying that she offers herself once again and always as a victim for sinners. And nothing more was needed to send all the fibres of her heart into motion. [*Assuredly Jesus was not referring to all priests here, but to those who at that time were offending Him by sinful lives. It is quite apparent that the purpose of His address to Gemma was to incite in her a strong desire to sacrifice and suffer for all, especially for those dear to Him, out of love for Him, and those persons first and foremost being His Priests, the ones He lovingly calls His ‘most dear ones’]

Her great friend and “foster Mother” Cecilia Giannini says: “Gemma prayed a lot for priests and she even sweated blood for a whole month for them, in August. [August, 1901 -editor] Once she told me: - “If you could see how priests drag Him [Jesus] with ropes, here and there! - And she kept unceasingly praying for priests. She had a great reverence for them and never spoke a negative word about them. She also prayed much for her spirtual director and also her confessor....”

In his second book on St Gemma, “The Letters and Ecstasies of Gemma Galgani”, Gemma's spiritual director Father Germano CP publishes a letter that was written to him by Gemma that says: “You shall see what I will do when I go to heaven. I will bring you with me at any cost”. The good Father appends this with a footnote that says “I live on this hope; amidst the labors of my exile here below, these words of Gemma shall always be my comfort.”
Father Germanus is entombed near to St. Gemma in the Santuario-Monastero di Santa Gemma in Lucca, Italy. He has been officially declared “Venerable” by the Roman Catholic Church.

Gemma, notwith­standing her "inspired" knowledge about the offences that some consecrated souls bear to Jesus' Heart through the opprobium of their selfishness and the lack of fidelity and fervor in His service, kept always in highest veneration all priests. She was ready to be taught by even the least of them, and she generously lived and sacrificed in reparation for those most dear to the Sacred Heart.

Her suffering for a Community of Nuns
In his book “The Life of St Gemma Galgani”, Venerable Padre Germanus Ruoppolo CP relates this story:
[Gemma writes] 'On Thursday during the Holy Hour, Jesus asked me if I had willingly suffered all that I went through on that night [referring to a previous occasion in the usual martyrdom of Thursday and Friday] for the ill deeds of certain nuns. I answered that I had done so most willingly. And I then heard these words:
"Woe to them, and to the one who guides them, if they refuse to do as Jesus wishes! If they refuse to hear His voice, they will very soon be sorry for it, but it will be too late, because Jesus will no longer grant that Community the peace of the past. Discord will increase among them daily, and they will soon be forced to separate."

We can speculate that these words probaly came from her guardian Angel, who spoke to and guided her frequently.

However, Ven. Father Germanus concludes: "Happily, those nuns listened to Our Lord's voice. They looked to their eternal interests, and the peace of Christ was established again in their midst. All this was due to the prayers, dolorous expiation and zeal of one who only wished to be called 'Poor Gemma.' "
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And from her place in heaven may she continue to obtain from God mercy and pardon for all of us here on earth. St Gemma , pray for us!
Finally, let us thank and bless God for the countless Priests and Nuns who by giving completely of themselves out of love for God, continue to obtain mercy and forgiveness from Him on behalf of all of us.

"Oh Jesus, do not abandon poor sinners! Think of them and also of me. I wish them all to be saved!" -St Gemma Galgani

Nobena kay Santa Gemma Galgani sa filipino


Nobena kay Santa Gemma Galgani

(Ang webmaster ay nais magpasalamat sa Mandy para sa kanya pagsasalin ng mga panalangin. May Diyos magbendisyon sa kanya sa pagbabalik.)

Unang araw
Paunang Panalangin: O Dakilang Panginoon, buong kababaang loob kaming lumalapit iyo, sinasamba at niluluwalhati ka namin, dinggin mo ang abang panalanging na bunga ng pamimintuho sa iyong lingkod, Santa Gemma Galgani, nawa sa pamamagitan niya ay matamo namin ang biyayang hinihingi.

O maawaing birhen, Santa Gemma, sa maikli panahong inilagi mo sa lupa, ipinamalas mo ang halimbawa ng malaanghel na kawalang malay at serapikong pagibig. Naging karapatdapat kang tumanggap ng mga tanda ng pagpapakasakit ng Panginoong Hesukristo sa iyong katawan. Mahabag ka sa amin na ngayon ay nangangailangan ng awa at tulong ng Diyos. Sa pamamagitan mo hinihiling naming makamit ang biyayang ito. (sambitin ang kahilingan)

Ama namin, Aba Maria, Luwalhati
Ipanalanging mo kami, Santa Gemma, ng kami ay maging karapatdapat na makinabang sa mga pangako ni Kristo.

Manalangin tayo: O Panginoon naming Diyos, na nagpahintulot sa iyong lingkod, Santa Gemma na dumanas ng paghihirap at pagpapakasakit ng Iyong Anak, Ipagkaloob mo na sa kanyang panalangin ay matamo ang biyayang iniluluhog at makapiling Ka sa iyong kaharian. Hinihiling namin ito alang alang sa pagkamatay at muling pagkabuhay ng iyong anak, na si Hesukristo, aming Panginoon. Amen.

Ikalawang Araw
Paunang Panalangin: O Dakilang Panginoon, buong kababaang loob kaming lumalapit iyo, sinasamba at niluluwalhati ka namin, dinggin mo ang abang panalanging na bunga ng pamimintuho sa iyong lingkod, Santa Gemma Galgani, nawa sa pamamagitan niya ay matamo namin ang biyayang hinihiling.

O karapatdapat na kabiyak ng Kordero ng Diyos at tapat na Birheng Santa Gemma, napanatili mo ang malaanghel na kawalang malay at busilak na pagkabirhen, ipinamalas mo ang magandang halimbawa ng kalinisan at makaDiyos na katangian, masdan mo kami na may habag, sa iyo kami ay umaasang, makamit ang kahilingang ito. (sambitin ang kahilingan)

Ama namin, Aba Maria, Luwalhati
Ipanalanging mo kami, Santa Gemma, ng kami ay maging karapatdapat na makinabang sa mga pangako ni Kristo.

Manalangin tayo: O Panginoon naming Diyos, na nagpahintulot sa iyong lingkod, Santa Gemma na dumanas ng paghihirap at pagpapakasakit ng Iyong Anak, Ipagkaloob mo na sa kanyang panalangin ay matamo ang biyayang iniluluhog at makapiling Ka sa iyong kaharian. Hinihiling namin ito alang alang sa pagkamatay at muling pagkabuhay ng iyong anak, na si Hesukristo, aming Panginoon. Amen.

Ikatlong Araw
Paunang Panalangin: O Dakilang Panginoon, buong kababaang loob kaming lumalapit iyo, sinasamba at niluluwalhati ka namin, dinggin mo ang abang panalanging na bunga ng pamimintuho sa iyong lingkod, Santa Gemma Galgani, nawa sa pamamagitan niya ay matamo namin ang biyayang hinihiling.

O mapagmahal na Birheng Santa Gemma, sa iyong masidhing pagibig kay Hesus, higit kang nagdusa bilang biktima ng sala upang magbalik loob sa Diyos ang mga makasalanan, at dahil sa masidhi mong pagibig sa Panginoon, minahal mo ring labis ang iyong kapwa. Huwag mo kaming kalimutan dito sa mundong ibabaw, at lingunin mo kami na tumatawag sa iyo, at umaasang sa pamamagitan mo ay makakamit ang aming kahilingan.

Ama namin, Aba Maria, Luwalhati
Ipanalanging mo kami, Santa Gemma, ng kami ay maging karapatdapat na makinabang sa mga pangako ni Kristo.

Manalangin tayo: O Panginoon naming Diyos, na nagpahintulot sa iyong lingkod, Santa Gemma na dumanas ng paghihirap at pagpapakasakit ng Iyong Anak, Ipagkaloob mo na sa kanyang panalangin ay matamo ang biyayang iniluluhog at makapiling Ka sa iyong kaharian. Hinihiling namin ito alang alang sa pagkamatay at muling pagkabuhay ng iyong anak, na si Hesukristo, aming Panginoon. Amen.

Ikaapat na Araw
Paunang Panalangin: O Dakilang Panginoon, buong kababaang loob kaming lumalapit iyo, sinasamba at niluluwalhati ka namin, dinggin mo ang abang panalanging na bunga ng pamimintuho sa iyong lingkod, Santa Gemma Galgani, nawa sa pamamagitan niya ay matamo namin ang biyayang hinihiling.

Pinagpalang Santa Gemma, Ikaw na sa pamamagitan ng kalooban ng Panginoon, nagpakasakit sa pagkawala ng iyong mga magulang sa murang gulang, at nagtiis sa di mabilang na sakit ng katawan at kaluluwa, turuan mo kaming magpakasakit at magdusa alang alang sa masidhing pagmamahal sa Panginoon, na pagsisihan naming lubos ang aming mga kasalanan upang kami ay maging karapatdapat na makapiling ng Panginoon sa langit.

Ama namin, Aba Maria, Luwalhati
Ipanalanging mo kami, Santa Gemma, ng kami ay maging karapatdapat na makinabang sa mga pangako ni Kristo.

Manalangin tayo: O Panginoon naming Diyos, na nagpahintulot sa iyong lingkod, Santa Gemma na dumanas ng paghihirap at pagpapakasakit ng Iyong Anak, Ipagkaloob mo na sa kanyang panalangin ay matamo ang biyayang iniluluhog at makapiling Ka sa iyong kaharian. Hinihiling namin ito alang alang sa pagkamatay at muling pagkabuhay ng iyong anak, na si Hesukristo, aming Panginoon. Amen.

Ikalimang Araw
Paunang Panalangin: O Dakilang Panginoon, buong kababaang loob kaming lumalapit iyo, sinasamba at niluluwalhati ka namin, dinggin mo ang abang panalanging na bunga ng pamimintuho sa iyong lingkod, Santa Gemma Galgani, nawa sa pamamagitan niya ay matamo namin ang biyayang hinihiling.

O butihing Santa Gemma, sa panahon ng iyong masidhing pagnanasa na maitalaga ang sarili sa relihiyosang pamumuhay, nasumpungan mo makalipas ang maraming taon na ito ay di nauuukol sa iyo, ay nagdulot sa iyo ng masidhing sama ng loob. Tinanggap mo ang pasakit na ito na may lubos na pagtitiwala sa kalooban ng Panginoon. Turuan mo kami, mahal naming Santa Gemma, na matanggap ang mga pasakit na ipinagkakaloob sa amin ng Panginoon lalo na ang pasakit na di naayon sa aming kalooban at nais.

Ama namin, Aba Maria, Luwalhati
Ipanalanging mo kami, Santa Gemma, ng kami ay maging karapatdapat na makinabang sa mga pangako ni Kristo.

Manalangin tayo: O Panginoon naming Diyos, na nagpahintulot sa iyong lingkod, Santa Gemma na dumanas ng paghihirap at pagpapakasakit ng Iyong Anak, Ipagkaloob mo na sa kanyang panalangin ay matamo ang biyayang iniluluhog at makapiling Ka sa iyong kaharian. Hinihiling namin ito alang alang sa pagkamatay at muling pagkabuhay ng iyong anak, na si Hesukristo, aming Panginoon. Amen.

Ikaanim na Araw
Paunang Panalangin: O Dakilang Panginoon, buong kababaang loob kaming lumalapit iyo, sinasamba at niluluwalhati ka namin, dinggin mo ang abang panalanging na bunga ng pamimintuho sa iyong lingkod, Santa Gemma Galgani, nawa sa pamamagitan niya ay matamo namin ang biyayang hinihiling.

Pinakamamahal na hiyas ni Kristo, Santa Gemma, na ang puso ay nag-aalab sa pag ibig sa Diyos, turuan mo kaming mahalin ang Panginoon ng buong puso, isip at kaluluwa. Nawa ay lagi naming italaga ang lahat ng bagay sa Panginoon ng buong pag-big, “ kung saan ang aming kayamanan, naroon din ang aming puso.” (Mateo 6:21) (Banggitin ang kahilingan) Amen.

Ama namin, Aba Maria, Luwalhati
Ipanalanging mo kami, Santa Gemma, ng kami ay maging karapatdapat na makinabang sa mga pangako ni Kristo.

Manalangin tayo: O Panginoon naming Diyos, na nagpahintulot sa iyong lingkod, Santa Gemma na dumanas ng paghihirap at pagpapakasakit ng Iyong Anak, Ipagkaloob mo na sa kanyang panalangin ay matamo ang biyayang iniluluhog at makapiling Ka sa iyong kaharian. Hinihiling namin ito alang alang sa pagkamatay at muling pagkabuhay ng iyong anak, na si Hesukristo, aming Panginoon. Amen.

Ikapitong Araw
Paunang Panalangin: O Dakilang Panginoon, buong kababaang loob kaming lumalapit iyo, sinasamba at niluluwalhati ka namin, dinggin mo ang abang panalangin na bunga ng pamimintuho sa iyong lingkod, Santa Gemma Galgani, nawa sa pamamagitan niya ay matamo namin ang biyayang hinihiling.

O Banal na Santa ng Pagpapakasakit ni Hesus, Santa Gemma, kaluluwang inialay, malimit mong ihingi ng awa at patawad ang mga makasalanan, kung ito ay naayon sa kalooban ng Diyos Ipagkaloob mo sa amin ang biyayang ito, (Banggitin ang kahilingan) higit sa lahat, ipagkaloob mo na kami ay taos pusong magbabalik loob sa Panginoon para kaligtasan ng aming kaluluwa, ng sa gayon ay makapiling ka namin, kasama nina Hesus at Maria magpasawalang hanggan. Amen.

Ama namin, Aba Maria, Luwalhati
Ipanalanging mo kami, Santa Gemma, ng kami ay maging karapatdapat na makinabang sa mga pangako ni Kristo.

Manalangin tayo: O Panginoon naming Diyos, na nagpahintulot sa iyong lingkod, Santa Gemma na dumanas ng paghihirap at pagpapakasakit ng Iyong Anak, Ipagkaloob mo na sa kanyang panalangin ay matamo ang biyayang iniluluhog at makapiling Ka sa iyong kaharian. Hinihiling namin ito alang alang sa pagkamatay at muling pagkabuhay ng iyong anak, na si Hesukristo, aming Panginoon. Amen.

Ikawalong Araw
Paunang Panalangin: O Dakilang Panginoon, buong kababaang loob kaming lumalapit iyo, sinasamba at niluluwalhati ka namin, dinggin mo ang abang panalanging na bunga ng pamimintuho sa iyong lingkod, Santa Gemma Galgani, nawa sa pamamagitan niya ay matamo namin ang biyayang hinihiling.

O mapagmahal na Santa Gemma, maraming ulit mong tinangisan ang iyong mga kasalanan, at malimit kang humingi ng kapatawaran, at nagbayad puri sa mga ito. Kami na nagpapahalaga sa aming sarili at laging nagnanais ng mga bagay na nagbibigay ng makamundong kasiyahan at malimit na di pagsisisi. Tulungan mong maunawaan namin ang walang kapantay na pagdurusa ni Hesus dahil sa aming mga kasalanan, at lahat ng pasakit na ginawa natin sa Kanya. At sa pamamagitan ng mahal na pagpapakasakit ni Jesus, matamo nawa namin ang masidhing lungkot at mithiing di na muling magkakasala. (Banggitin ang kahilingan) Amen.

Ama namin, Aba Maria, Luwalhati
Ipanalanging mo kami, Santa Gemma, ng kami ay maging karapatdapat na makinabang sa mga pangako ni Kristo.

Manalangin tayo: O Panginoon naming Diyos, na nagpahintulot sa iyong lingkod, Santa Gemma na dumanas ng paghihirap at pagpapakasakit ng Iyong Anak, Ipagkaloob mo na sa kanyang panalangin ay matamo ang biyayang iniluluhog at makapiling Ka sa iyong kaharian. Hinihiling namin ito alang alang sa pagkamatay at muling pagkabuhay ng iyong anak, na si Hesukristo, aming Panginoon. Amen.

Ikasiyam na Araw
Paunang Panalangin: O Dakilang Panginoon, buong kababaang loob kaming lumalapit iyo, sinasamba at niluluwalhati ka namin, dinggin mo ang abang panalanging na bunga ng pamimintuho sa iyong lingkod, Santa Gemma Galgani, nawa sa pamamagitan niya ay matamo namin ang biyayang hinihiling.

O pinakamasintahing Santa Gemma, magmula ngayon, hiling namin na Ikaw ay maging Patrona at matalik na kaibigan. Tulungan mo kami sa aming pangaraw-araw na pangkaluluwa at pangkatawang pangangailangan. Tulungan mo kaming maunawan, mahalin at paglingkuran ang ating Panginoong Diyos ng buong puso. Samahan mo kami, kasama ng aming anghel na tagatanod sa landas patungo sa langit. Kasama ni Hesus, Maria at Jose, ipanalangin mo kami sa oras ng aming kamatayan. At alang alang sa walang hanggang awa ng Panginoon at sa Mahal na Pagpapakasakit ni Hesus, na iyong kabiyak, hinihiling namin ang kaligtasan ng aming kaluluwa at ang kahilingang iniluluhog sa iyo. (Banggitin ang kahilingan) Amen.

Ama namin, Aba Maria, Luwalhati
Ipanalanging mo kami, Santa Gemma, ng kami ay maging karapatdapat na makinabang sa mga pangako ni Kristo.

Manalangin tayo: O Panginoon naming Diyos, na nagpahintulot sa iyong lingkod, Santa Gemma na dumanas ng paghihirap at pagpapakasakit ng Iyong Anak, Ipagkaloob mo na sa kanyang panalangin ay matamo ang biyayang iniluluhog at makapiling Ka sa iyong kaharian. Hinihiling namin ito alang alang sa pagkamatay at muling pagkabuhay ng iyong anak, na si Hesukristo, aming Panginoon. Amen.

St Gemma & the miracle of the Crucifix


St Gemma Galgani –Lover of the Cross

Source for this information is from a rare book entitled “A Lover of the Cross –St Gemma Galgani” published in May 1940 by the Passionist Nuns of the Monastero-Santuario di Santa Gemma in Lucca, Italy and also “The Life of St Gemma Galgani” by her spiritual director, Venerable Father Germano Ruoppolo CP

The Miracle of the Crucifix
"In September 1901, while working in the kitchen, Gemma frequently paused out of her great love for Jesus to contemplate the large Crucifix that hung on the kitchen wall of the Giannini home. “The more she looked at it” - says Venerable Father Germano in his biography of St Gemma – “the more her heart beat in her breast". She strongly desired to come to Him and unite with Him, and many a time she attempted to. At last she cried: - ’Let me come to You, for I am thirsting for You!’. - Mar­vellous to say, as it already happened to St. Fran­cis of Assisi and our holy Father, St. Paul of the Cross, the Corpus on the Cross became alive, and Jesus appeared to her and with His right hand detached from the Cross, with a loving look He beckoned his faithful Bride to come to Him. Immediately, Gemma rushed to Him and reached Him, and while miraculously held aloft in the air, Jesus embraces her and lays her lips on the wound in His Holy Side; Gemma, keeping tight to Him with both arms, drank plentifully out of that divine spring, while remaining with her body as if she rested upon a cloud”.
(Note: The Photograph above is the actual Crucifix that came alive during the miraculous vision related above. It is currently on display along with other articles pertaining to the life of St Gemma at the "Casa Della Stimmate" or "House of the Stigmata" in Lucca, Italy. -Editor).

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the fountain of the water of life without payment.
" (Revelation 21:6)

On another occasion Jesus appeared to Gemma with the Cross on His shoulders and said: "Gemma, will you take my Cross? See, this is the present I have prepared for you."
And she replied, "My Jesus, yes, give it me, but give me also the strength to carry it, because my shoulders are weak; at least that I may not fall under it."
And Jesus again: "Would it sadden you if I were to give you to drink of My chalice, even to the last drop?"
And Gemma replied: "Jesus, may Your most Holy Will be done."

(Photograph on the left is a closeup of the actual Crucifix that came alive during the miraculous vision related at the top of this article) .

Her devotion to the Passion and Jesus Crucified
On another occasion, He appeared to Gemma nailed to the Cross, all covered with wounds and bleeding. "At that sight," she said to me [Father Germanus], "I felt such a great sorrow, thinking of the infinite love of Jesus for us, and of the sufferings that He had endured for our salvation, I then fainted and fell. After the lapse of an hour or so I came to myself, and then there arose in my heart such an immense desire to suffer something for Him who had suffered so much for me."

From that day forward Gemma did not seem herself. The sight of Jesus suffering and the thought of the mission entrusted to her by God had, as it were, transformed her into another creature. The thirst to suffer tor­ments of every kind seemed to consume and rend her whole being. To satisfy her, torrents of fire would be needed. Listen to her exclamation: "To suffer, but without any consolation, without any comfort; to suffer for love alone." Her sufferings were but trials in which grace advanced step by step, preparing her for the grand immolation that was to be accomplished on the Calvary of Jesus-her deathbed. Hence she added: "I am very happy. Jesus does not cease to love me; I mean that He does not cease to afflict me more than usual." It was indeed Our Lord Himself who had taught her this sublime doctrine.

"On Saturday evening," she writes to me, "I went to make a visit to the most holy crucifix. There came upon me an ardent longing for suffering, and with all my heart I implored of Jesus to satisfy me. And, since that evening, He has granted me a cease­less pain in my head, but such a violent pain! And I am almost always crying through fear of not being able to bear it." We can see by these words that she feels that she may not be able to hold out, and yet she does not desist, but continues to pray that her great longing to suffer more and more may be gratified. Nay, she declares that in suffering she finds all her delight. "Yes," she says, "I am happy in every way that Jesus wills, and if Jesus wants the sacrifice of my life, I give it to Him at once. If He wants anything else I am ready. One thing alone is enough for me, to be His victim, in order to atone for my own innumerable sins, and, if possible, for those of the whole world."

From Thursday evening to Friday afternoon each week, as we know, this heroic child went over all Calvary in body and soul, suffering unspeakable agony in company with Jesus Crucified. Whoever could have passed but once through such torments would shudder at the thought of them. Gemma, who again and again passed over that way of sorrow and pain, longed for the day, counted the hours she had to wait until it came, and, in the words of those who were around her, "prepared to suffer as if she were preparing for a banquet."

(Picture on the left is a image of Gemma embracing Jesus as occured in several of her visions) Our Lord took infinite delight in such great generosity and heroism, and by open proofs of tenderness, showed His great joy and happiness at having chosen a spouse so entirely according to His Heart. Thus, on one of many occasions, making His presence felt in her soul, He asked her if she had suffered much in a long trial that she was still undergoing. Gemma's answer: "With Thee, oh Jesus, one suffers so well! What is it to suffer thus for many days, if afterwards You come quickly and console?" And Jesus replied: "Know that when you were suffering, I was always at your side. I beheld your distress and I was gratified by it."

Then to reward her for the courage she had displayed in the conflict, He told her she might draw close and kiss His sacred Wounds. And she, all humility:
"But, oh Jesus, why for so little, do you give me a reward so great?" Then embold­ened by her filial confidence she approached her Saviour, and kneeling with her heart all on fire, she kissed one by one those precious Wounds. But when she came to the Wound in His Side she could hold out no longer, and fell in a swoon at the Feet of her Jesus."
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"Jesus stood up and proclaimed, "If any one thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, 'Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water'."
(John 7:37-38)

Thanks be to Thee, oh God, forever! Thanks be to Jesus for His gifts and for His Cross! -St Gemma Gslgani

St Gemma vs Satan and the demonic


"An Exorcist Confesses" -Padre Alfredo Pallotta C.P.

Part 3 of 3

In part 2 of this story we introduced Padre Alfredo Pallotta C.P., who for 13 years was an exorcist and confessor at the Monestary/Sanctuary of Saint Gemma in Lucca. In the article below, we will present some excerpts from his book-"Un esorcista si confessa: Un'obbedienza e un mandato al Santuario di santa Gemma.: confessore ed esorcista" (“An Exorcist Confesses: An Obedience and Mandate for the Sanctuary of Saint Gemma: Confessor and Exorcist) The webmaster would like to gratefully thank Mrs. Rita Dunn for the translation provided below.


THE SAINTS ARE AT OUR SIDE IN OUR COMBAT AGAINST SATAN (P.267)
“In the fight against the demon our loved ones are at our side, but even more so we have the Saints for whom we have a special devotion, and we can invoke especially those who fought against him while they lived here on earth. St Gemma was one of these souls. She came to help me often to protect and combat against the malignant demons that had so attacked her during her life. She came especially during exorcisms done in her Sanctuary/Monastery. I would add that it is easier to obtain liberation in sanctuaries. I would call myself lucky to be able to perform exorcisms in the Sanctuary of [St Gemma] the Stigmatist of Lucca. Often the evil spirits would feel her presence, they feared her and many times they would flee.

Another saint that fought much against the devil was St Pio of Pietrelcina [Padre Pio]. The evil spirits feared him and called him "the bearded man" or “beam of light" because of the light that emanated from him that so annoyed them.

During the recitation of the Litany of the Saints, the malignant spirit would react upon hearing the name of certain saints. I would then purposely stop and repeat the invocation.
I have already talked about the presence of Padre Candido that manifested himself in a singular way during the exorcism of a woman. I asked myself 'why did he [Padre Candido Amantini] help her?'... [ his remark was...] : "She is very good. Much wrong was done to her at one time". [Father Candido Amantini was a well known Passionist Priest and Exorcist in Italy who died in 1992. For 36 years was the chief exorcist in Rome. He was the mentor of Padre Alfredo and also Padre Gabriel Amorth who is currently a famed exorcist in Rome and author of several books on exorcism. -editor]
All the Saints pray for us, but those whom we are named after pray for us in a special way. It is not coincidental that we were given the name of a particular saint. We are placed under their protection and they will not forget about us. Certainly they will more earnestly assist us if we invoke them often. Ordinarily the protection of a Saint is not manifested exteriorly as in the case of Fr. Candido, St Pio of Pietrelcina or St Gemma Galgani, as I previously noted. The same is true of the holy departed souls. Not always they manifest their presence as I mentioned in some exorcisms that I performed, but their assistance is very certain, thus it is necessary for us to remember them and that we implore their intercession. Let's remember also that our relatives that are saved are near the Throne of God and are dear to Him. The intercession of our dear ones is very efficacious.

"HELP HER, SHE IS GOOD!"The words of Padre Candido that I noted on page 180 said: “In all truth I tell you, help her, she is very good. Much wrong was done unto her at one time". She is very good!".
Some may come to think that those possessed by the demon are only dishonest people. Ordinarily this is not always so, as it was in the case of the woman that Father Candido assisted, as I have described on page 215, but we tend to think otherwise because of the appearance of their actions [meaning the exorcized].

In the new rite for exorcism in reference to vigilance, it is written:
Vigilance must be used most of all in cases of ordinary action of Satan, with which he continues to tempt man to evil. Temptation is a great peril and it is most damaging because it opposes itself to the Salvific Plan of God and the coming of His Kingdom. Satan is really able to take charge of what is most intimate in man when he puts himself under his power by a free and deliberate act of sin. For this reason a believer must be watchful not to be deceived and must pray every day with the words given by Jesus: "Father, do not abandon us to temptation but deliver us from evil.' ( Mt. 6:13).

This so called 'ordinary activity of Satan' is the most dangerous, even if the individual is "calm" as opposed to the contrary that we may see in the individual who is truly possessed. But while the latter one is possessed in the body of which most often he has no control, the other may be possessed by Satan in the soul by means of sin, which is far more damaging because it keeps him away from God and leads him to death and Hell.

In the new rite the instruction on vigilance further notes that: "diabolical phenomena of extraordinary possession, obsession, vexation, infestations are possible, but in the opinion of the experts they are in fact rare. They cause great suffering, however they normally do not separate one from God, and do not have the gravity of sin".
It concludes: “We would be wrong to give only attention to the presence of the Devil in some strange phenomenon and not to be preoccupied at all of the daily reality of temptation and sin in whom Satan the Murderer from the beginning and the Father of all lies is certainly at work". ( Rite of Exorcism, no. 7).

This is a large reality that is very little known. We are more preoccupied about those possessed in the body then those possessed in the soul by means of sin. This does not mean that the possessed is always innocent in regard to their possession. It can be that they deliberately
sold their soul to the devil voluntarily, and not by ignorance, or perhaps they could have gone to magicians, witches, palm readers and so on, but now they have repented and have decided to go to the exorcist.

I would like to underline that often a person possessed in the body is innocent and lives a life of prayer and truly a Christian life, free from serious sin and with frequent reception of the sacraments. We can reference that person to whom Fr. Candido stated: "She is very good". Shw was so good in fact, that she merited a heavenly intervention; the assistance of a holy soul sent by God who helped her numerous times, even after her liberation as she later confided to me. My thesis is this: often there is no sin in the possessed, and Heaven is present with them in an extraordinary way.

P271
Holy souls that are saved are often sent by Heaven to assist their loved ones in the combats against evil spirits. Also, Heaven often sends its angels. During exorcisms, I have noted the presence of St Michael the Archangel, and the presence of the guardian angel of the exorcised, as well as of St Gemma, St Padre Pio of Pietrelcina and the Madonna [Blessed Virgin Mary -ed]. All of these extraordinary presences are confirmed not only by me, but also by those present and also by the exorcised.

In regard to the Blessed Mother, I can note two cases. In the first case there were no witnesses because the husband did not want to see his wife in such a state, and neither can I report the testimony of the posessed, since she is very reluctant to testify.

It happened that during the exorcism the person remained always with her eyes closed. At a certain point the evil spirit was leaving and she was like in ecstasy, her face was changed and I could hear words..: "my daughter, my daughter..." This happened during all the exorcisms that I had done for her, and in one of these I heard the words..: "Love me and make me loved!” Then she would return her normal self, and I avoided asking her questions.

However, once I asked her an explanation, but she remained entranced in silence.

As for the second case, below is the testimony of a person that was assisting in prayer during the exorcism, and also the possessed was agreeable to writing about the episode that happened in the presence of the Madonna and in the presence of holy departed souls and some Saints.

p272
In the presence of the Virgin.
The first one to become aware of Her was the malignant spirit that screamed: “Here She comes, here She comes!" and she was making gestures to send Her away and she would scream: "Leave, leave!"

I asked [the evil spirit] who was present, but the malignant spirit was so intent on trying to defend himself that he would not respond to the question. Finally, as I persisted, he confessed the presence of the Virgin:
"It’s a beam of light ... She is tormenting me... She holds her Son...on her head a crown like her Son...". Everyone could understand that the Blessed Virgin was present. Then I paused from the exorcism and I made everyone recite the 'Hail Mary', and then the 'Magnificat'. After a few moments the scene changed. The woman changed her physiognomy and seemed as if contemplating Mary, with her Son in her arms, and she was describing how she was dressed.

This is how another exorcism [of the same person] ended in the presence of the husband of the exorcised. There was a very strong presence of St Michael the Archangel and also of the woman's guardian angel, as well as the Madonna. As usual, their presence was felt first by the devil.

At the end, I would never have imagined what happened, but it ended with the words of the woman that began singing [a famous hymn to Mary]:
'You are more beautiful then the sun, whiter than snow,even the most beautiful stars are not so beautiful next to Thee!...'
-This was so spontaneous that I began to sing along with her.

September 15th is the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, Patroness of the Passionist Congregation. On this day, during the blessing that I gave in the Monestary to this person, at 9pm Our Lady appeared with 7 swords on Her breast.

P273 My testimony ( by R. S.)

[Below is the testimony of the person involved in the exorcism -ed.]

I confirm to have felt twice the presence of the Madonna during several exorcisms that Padre Alfredo performed. I have to add some details that Padre and those present do not know.

In the first presence, Mary was threatening against the devil. Inside me he would be turning in great anguish. I felt great cramps in my stomach and then would come screams like a wild beast that all those present could hear. In those moments, I could see the image of Mary, but only out of focus or like in the midst of a fog. However when the malignant one would leave, it was like if a window would open in front of me. I could see clearly the Most Holy Mother in all Her beauty, holding Her Child with a crown on Her head. The Child had a crown too and also a chalice in His hand.

I was in ecstasy and I was contemplating Her while tears of joy would stream down my face. She was emanating such great joy which was noted by all those present, because my face would become serene.

p274
The song that Fr. Alfredo spoke of was sung spontaneously while the Immaculate Virgin was standing in front of me dressed in white, all enveloped in light. She was very beautiful. That song I heard only once before in church on the Feast of the Assumption of Mary.

On the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, the Madonna was afflicted by 7 swords on her breast. She wore a dark dress, and my soul was sorrowful and in deep anguish. She disappeared suddenly, then I saw Her with Her Child; not in Her arms; She was holding His hand, and She was walking
towards me from a distance, all dressed in white once again, and effusing in me such great peace and joy.

I cannot give an explanation for all these appearances; perhaps it was a reward for all the sufferings that the devil caused me and also all those in my family. -R. S.

Translation of pages 254 /255.
PECULIAR PHENOMENON IN EXORCISMS

At this point I would like to talk about peculiar phenomenon in exorcisms.
I have previously said that the Malignant One and all his mignons are slaves, and servants of the Lord. In the old Testament we see that God uses Satan to sanctify Job (cf. Job, ch. 1 & 2). I could cite many more examples in Christian hagiography. I limit myself to one only since it is so familiar to me: That of Saint Gemma Galgani.
Jesus is very explicit with the saint: “You will be trampled underfoot by the devils. Prepare yourself, my daughter, the demon at My orders will be the one that will add the last touch to my plan that I will accomplish in you, that is, your sanctification. (v. Biography G. Bonardi, 178)
Even more [Jesus said to her]: "With my permission the demons will try continually to dishearten your soul". (Letters of St Gemma, 285).

The demon will be relentless with St Gemma: “He repeatedly set himself against me!" As she wrote to her Passionist spiritual director, Fr. Germanus (v. Letter 71). However, the devil obeys the Lord and can do nothing without Our Lord's permission.

What he does comes back to our advantage, for this reason the Lord allows him to torment us.
When I invoked St Gemma during some exorcisms, the devil would become so infuriated. And so, [referring to St Gemma] I would address him in this manner:
"You were defeated by a girl! What did you obtain from that? You increased her sanctity!”

And He replied: "But, I made her suffer".

Yes, he makes us suffer, but he makes us gain more glory for Heaven. I have given examples in some of my explanations of exorcisms, demonstrating that evil spirits can indeed serve us, and that the Lord can use them to teach us some truths."

-Taken from the book "Un esorcista si confessa: Un'obbedienza e un mandato al Santuario di santa Gemma.: confessore ed esorcista" (“An Exorcist Confesses: An Obedience and Mandate for the Sanctuary of Saint Gemma: Confessor and Exorcist") by Padre Alfredo Pallotta C.P. This book was published on St Gemma's feastday, May 16 2005, which is Providentially also Padre Alfredo's birthday.
[Currently, this book is only availible in Italian -editor]
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***Update: Padre Alfredo Pallotta C.P. passed from this life to his eternal reward on July 24, 2012. 

Back when I interviewed Padre Alfredo for the St Gemma website, the good Padre kindly sent me several of his books, and I was especially pleased with the book "Un esorcista si confessa: Un'obbedienza e un mandatodo al Santuario di santa Gemma: confessore ed esorcista" 

By reading the book one can see that Padre was a devout priest, faithful to Jesus and the teachings of the Church. He was known for his deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and also Sts. Padre Pio and Gemma Galgani.

And in serving the people of God as a priest for over sixty years,  many also admired Padre Alfredo for all the good that he did through his many exorcisms that he performed throughout the years. He helped countless souls by freeing them from the demonic.  May God reward him for his many years of service as a priest who sought always to please the Hearts of Jesus and Mary.


Click the link below to go to Part 1 of this article:

See also this article on Satan's war against St Gemma and how he tried to seperate her from her family.
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"....The devil, in the form of a great black dog, put his paws upon my shoulders, making every bone in my body ache. At times I believed that he would mangle me; then one time, when I was taking holy water, he twisted my arm so cruelly, that I fell to the earth in great pain. After a while I remembered that I had around my neck the relic of the Holy Cross. Making the Sign of the Cross, I became calm. Jesus let me see Himself, but only for a short time, and He strengthened me anew to suffer and struggle." -St Gemma Galgani

An Extraordinary Grace on St Gemma's Feastday


A remarkable story of a souls return to the Eucharist and Confession

Below is a email conversation that took place in the week leading up to the feast of St Gemma on May 16, 2009. It is printed here with the kind permission of the author, Mandy, for the greater glory of God and His servant, Saint Gemma.

From: mandy [deleted}@yahoo.com Mandy

To: gdallaire1@gmail.com

Date: Wed, 13 May 2009 07:58:50 -0400

Subject: Re: St Gemma Galgani

Dear Glenn,

I am Mandy from the Philippines. My niece is in grade one at a Catholic School here in the Philippines. She once went home very excited telling me the story of Saint Gemma. I became curious of this newly heard of Saint that I read her life story. I was so facinated about her heroic life and told my niece to always call on her every time she needs some help.

A couple of days ago, while I was composing an email to the Order of Preachers to request for a relic of Blessed Margaret de Castello, she immediately asked me if she can also have the relic of Saint Gemma.

I told her yes, if God and Saint Gemma allow her to become a care taker of the Saint's relic. I reminded her to pray hard and ask Saint Gemma for what she wished for.

If I may ask... to whom should I request for a 1st class relic of Saint Gemma...Honestly I am also attracted to her heroic virtues and I made a resolution to go to confession this coming weekend.

Thanks Saint Gemma for the inspirations!

my best regards

mandy

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From: mandy [deleted]@yahoo.com Mandy

To: gdallaire1@gmail.com Glenn Dallaire

Date: Thu, 14 May 2009 06:07:29 -0400

Subject: Re: St Gemma Galgani


Thank you very much Glenn....Your reply meant a lot to me...Thanks to Saint Gemma, she became our link and I hope to hear more from you soon.

I know, Saint Gemma has started working miracles on me...Though I am a practicing Catholic and goes to church every Sunday and holidays of obligations, I dont receive the Holy Communion for several years... that is because of pride...I dont go to confessions thinking that if I go to confession today, I will again commit sin over and over again...but reading the life of our Patroness [St Gemma], and her love for the Eucharist... its a shame if I would not follow her examples...

I would like to ask for your permission to reproduce the picture of Saint Gemma posted in you blog...I will share them to my family members, my niece's classmates and friends, my friends and relatives. I will also print her brief life story to go with the picture.

Please pray for me so that I could have the strength to encourage my friends to go to confession and receive our Lord.

God bless!

my best regards,

mandy

Saint Gemma, Pray for us!

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From: mandy [deleted]t@yahoo.com Mandy

To: gdallaire1@gmail.com Glenn Dallaire

Date: Fri, 15 May 2009 08:16:21 -0400

Subject: Re: St Gemma photographs and Holy Communion


Dear Glenn,

Thank you very much for your message. I am excited tomorrow night.... my date with Jesus in the sacrament of reconcillation.I have already made a good examination of conscience...please pray for me...

BTW, Letters to Father [deleted] and to the Sisters in the monastery are ready and will send them on Monday morning. Please pray for our intention of having Saint Gemma's relic approved by Padre [deleted].

[Mandy is writing here of his desire to receive a relic of St Gemma -editor]

Thanks again for accomodating my emails.

my best regards,

mandy

Saint Gemma, Pray for us!

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From: mandy(deleted)@yahoo.com Mandy

To: gdallaire1@gmail.com Glenn Dallaire

Date: Sat, 16 May 2009 08:48:18 -0400

Subject: Re: St Gemma photographs and Holy Communion


Dear Glenn

Saint Gemma really wanted me to be reconcilled with God...It was through her that my confession this afternoon was made possible.

I went to our Parish at around 1730hrs. and had my conscience examined. Joined the people in the recitation of the Holy Rosary. It was almost 1800hrs, no sign of the priest coming into the confessional room. People prayed the Regina Coeli, the anticipated mass started... still no priest coming in the confessional... I got so worried and continously ask Saint Gemma to please send a priest... couple of minutes passed... there was a priest coming over and I was so thankful....Salamat Sa Diyos! Salamat Santa Gemma! (Thank you God! Thank you Saint Gemma!)

Did you know that after my confessions... the priest told me that there was no schedule of confessions this afternoon and it was through God's mercy and grace that he was driven to the confessional room......same thing that I was driven to go to that room also.

You are right! -"Jesus anxiously waits to unite with us in Communion, so why hurt Him and deny Him what He ardently desires?"

Im very excited to recieve Jesus tomorrow morning...

Thank very much for your prayer,,,

my best regards,

mandy

Saint Gemma, Pray for us!

[Dear Reader: -Note the date [May 16] that is included with the above email. How beautiful it is to note that Mandys "meeting with Jesus" in the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) was on St Gemma's feast day, that is, the evening of Saturday, May 16th. It was a present to God in honor of Gemma's feastday. God arranges everything with the help of His Saints. Dear God, how wonderful are Your works! St Gemma, pray for us! -Editor]

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From: mandy [deleted]@yahoo.com Mandy

To: gdallaire1@gmail.com Glenn Dallaire

Date: Sun, 17 May 2009 06:47:03 -0400

Subject: Re: St Gemma photographs and Holy Communion


Dear Glenn,

I received our Lord Jesus this morning and it was indeed a great experience! With His grace, I resolve to receive Him at least once a week for the rest of my life... (My Jesus, Holy Mary my queen and mother, Saint Joseph my father, Saint Gemma my patroness I beg, please help me to carry out this vow to the end!) ........

my best regards,

mandy

Saint Gemma, Pray for us!

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From: mandy [deleted]@yahoo.com Mandy

To: gdallaire1@gmail.com Glenn Dallaire

Date: Thu, 4 Jun 2009 00:34:18 -0400

Subject: Re: How St Gemmas example inspired you

Dear Glenn,

[...]....I made my confession last May 16 and have my communion on the 17th, that's Philippine time...

...My best regards,

mandy

Santa Gemma, Ipanalangin mo kami!

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[In the email above, I asked Mandy to verify the date to be sure that the date of the grace received was indeed the feast of St Gemma, May 16th. -How wonderful are Your works, oh Lord. Blessed be God in His Angels and in His Saints! -Editor]

____________________________________________________________


In giving his permission to publish these emails, Mandy states "If publishing my story would inspire more people to love Jesus and Saint Gemma, you could do what pleases God......May God thru the prayer of Saint Gemma inspire more people to go to the sacrament of reconcillation and receive our Lord Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. Thank you. God bless. Mandy"

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"Today I have recieved Jesus, and now I posess Him entirely in my miserable soul. In such moments my heart and the Heart of Jesus are one. Oh, if only I could make it remain so always! It would mean that I would not commit anymore sins. Oh, what precious moments are those at Holy Communion! Communion is a happiness, Father, that seems to me cannot be equalled even by the beatitude of the Saints and Angels. They admire the face of Jesus, and are certain of not comitting sin or of being lost; and I admire those two things, and I should like to be of their company, but I too have reason for exaulting, for Jesus enters everyday into my heart. Jesus gives me all of Himself, though I give Him nothing worthy in return. I always ask Him for so many things, and to tell the truth, I am afraid of wearying Him, but He says no and not to worry. Blessed be Jesus!" -St Gemma Galgani

St Gemma on how to pray to God


The prayer life of St Gemma Galgani

The summit and center of Gemma’s prayer life was certainly the holy Mass and Eucharist, which she attended to early each morning. She often spent part of the night praying and anxiously awaiting to receive Jesus in Holy Communion. On awaking, Gemma, all but indifferent to her appearance, would hurriedly get dressed in the morning, quickly affixing her hair in a zig-zag part, her thoughts focused only on her meeting with Jesus in Holy Communion at the Mass. Within five or so minutes from arising, she would be found standing quietly at the door, wearing her usual long black dress and mantelette, waiting for Ms. Cecilia, so as to go to Church together. Father Germanus writes "In the morning, at the break of day, already beside herself with joy, she jumped out of bed, dressed in a few minutes and was ready to go to Church....I was moved to tears, at seeing Gemma with her hat on, absorbed in thought, waiting at the door of her companions room.

'And where are you going, my child'? I once said to her. 'To Jesus, Father.' 'And for what?' Then with a modest smile she answered 'You know.'

“Let us go to Jesus” she once said “He is all alone and hardly anyone thinks of Him. Poor Jesus!”
"To see her", her companion [Cecilia] writes, "she seemed each morning as if she were getting herself ready for her nuptials, or as she herself put it- 'to go to the feast of the love of Jesus'. And another time ‘Oh, what immense joy and happiness my heart feels before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament!...Jesus, soul of my soul, my Paradise, holy Victim…behold, I am all Yours! I felt that You were seeking me and I ran to You!

Gemma once called the Eucharist “the school of Paradise, where one learns how to love..” and continuing with this she said “the school is the supper room, Jesus is the Master, and the doctrines are His Flesh and Blood.” In his book “The Life of St Gemma Galgani, her spiritual director, Venerable Father Gemano Ruoppolo CP devotes an entire Chapter (cf. Chapter 25) to Gemma’s devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. Page after page is filled with examples such as I have written above. Suffice it to say that the Mass and the Eucharist was at the heart of her devotion and prayer.

Keeping herself “in the presence of God” -Her preference for informal prayer

Gemma preferred informal prayer, that is, naturally conversing with God through the day, rather than reciting “formal” prayers repeatedly. Thus, by constantly talking to God throughout the day and night, she kept herself in the presence of God at all times. Gemma herself writes about her continual union with God. Writing to Ven. Father Germanus she says-
"Mr. Lorenzo gave me some accounts to tally for him, and as they were rather difficult, I applied such attention to them that I lost sight of God. Father, you see here how imperfect I am. Because of a few figures and a material interest, I left Our Lord. This thought disturbed me greatly for a short time. I asked God to par­don me, and He did so at once."

Father Germanus continues – “It was enough to see this girl even at a distance, in order to be convinced that she was absorbed in God. Her dignity of counte­nance, gravity of bearing and moderation of words; her angelic modesty beautified by a spontaneous smile that always played around her lips. All went to show the beholder that Gemma was only in body a dweller in this world. This uninterrupted attention to heavenly things had become so natural to her, that she would have had to do herself violence to think of anything else. Finding myself one day at table with the family, who are benefactors to our Institute [Passionist Community –ed.], on seeing Gemma, who was sitting opposite me, all absorbed in God, I used my authority as her spiritual Father and told her to distract herself, that being at table was not the time or place for prayer. At my words I saw that she turned pale and seemed to tremble all over. She continued to eat as if her manifest mental suffering was nothing. After dinner, calling her aside I saw that she was perspiring profusely. "Now what is this?" I said to her, won­dering.
"You know what, Father," she answered with her usual can­dor. "Oh, did you not take Jesus from me at table? And can I live without thinking of Him?" I changed the subject, and with an air of reproof sent her to change her clothes. In about an hour I renewed the precept and the strange phenomenon repeated itself. Once again I renewed the same precept with the same result. After this I left her free, as it pained me greatly to see how much suffering my prohibitions caused her.
“Thus she occupied twenty-four hours of her day. I say twenty-four hours, because taking as she did very little sleep and at short intervals, her prayer was scarcely interrupted. On awakening she immedi­ately took it up where she had left off. She rose from bed without weariness or mental heaviness, and whoever might be present as she got up would have seen her sign herself devoutly with the crucifix that she always kept in her hand while sleeping, kiss it and then smile with heavenly grace. Making allusion to her noc­turnal interviews with her Lord, she was once, when in ecstasy, heard to exclaim: "See, oh Jesus, even at night, those hours, those hours! I sleep, but Jesus, my heart does not sleep. It watches with Thee at all hours."
Thus, by talking to God throughout the day, we see that Gemma kept herself continually united with God.

(The information in this article is from “The Life of St Gemma Galgani” by Venerable Father Germanus Ruoppolo C.P.)


“…Oh Jesus, what have You done to my poor heart that makes it yearn for You incessantly? I wish, oh Jesus, that my voice could reach throughout the earth; I would call all sinners and tell them all to come into Thy Heart! Oh, if only all sinners would come to This Heart! Come! Come sinners, do not be afraid! The sword of Justice cannot reach you here!” -St Gemma Galgani

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