Devotion to St Gemma Galgani around the world

Worldwide devotion to St Gemma

By: Glenn Dallaire 

 We can assume that God gives us the Saints to inspire us and to set an example for us to follow. Their lives of heroic love and virtue encourage us in our pilgrimage here on earth. The Holy Spirit, it seems, has used primarily two means of spreading devotion to St Gemma over the past 100 years. 

Certainly the book “The Life of St Gemma Galgani” has helped spread devotion worldwide. The first edition in Italian was written by Gemma’s spiritual director, Venerable Padre Germano Ruoppolo CP in 1908, only 5 years after Gemma’s death. 

Inspired and edified by Gemma’s fervent love and devotion, the faithful were drawn to the book, which soon went through several editions and was soon translated into numerous languages and spread abroad within a few years. Pictured above for example, is the French edition, published in 1912 (Note, you can click on this photo and all the photos on this website to enlarge them). 

 The second means of spreading devotion to Gemma has been through the wonderful efforts of the Passionists throughout the world. The Passionists priests especially, with their charism for preaching missions and retreats, have devotedly spread the life and heroic virtues of the Saint throughout many parts of the world. Through their efforts, and the efforts of the Passionist nuns, many churches, shrines and chapels have been dedicated in her honor throughout the world.

Surely the most notable of the churches dedicated to Saint Gemma is the Monastero-Sanctuario di Santa Gemma, a Passionist Monastery in Lucca, Italy. Lucca is of course the city where Gemma lived and died, and her mortal remains are venerated in the Monastery-Sanctuary church. (photo to the left is the statue-urn within the main altar of the Sanctuary-Church that holds Gemma’s venerated remains.) 

Also in the Sanctuary-Church are the remains of her spiritual director, Venerable Germano Ruoppolo CP and also her confessor, Monsignor Giovanni Volpi. Also in Lucca are Gemma’s family home, where she was miraculously cured of spinal tuberculosis (or meningitis?) in 1898, and also where she received the holy stigmata. 

There is also the Giannini house where Gemma lived the last 3 years of her life. Across the street from the Giannini home is the house where Gemma died. A few miles away in Camigliano is the house where Gemma was born. 

More details of the “Gemma places” in Lucca can be found here: http://www.stgemmagalgani.com/2009/07/st-gemma-pilgrimage-itinerary-to-lucca.html

Perhaps the second most important church devoted to Gemma is the Church-Santuario de Santa Gema in Madrid, Spain. This important church has a statue reliquary that contains St Gemma’s heart (see photo to the left). Also, in the Church is a beautiful life-sized statue of Saint Gemma. 

Known for its beauty, this Church gets thousands of visitors each year, who come to worship God and also venerate and honor the Patron saint whose name it carries. In honor of St Gemma’s feast day in May, the faithful carry the life sized statue of St Gemma in procession from the Church through the streets of Madrid.. 

Also in Spain is the Santuario de Santa Gema in Barcelona –See: http://www.santagemabcn.org/web/ This large and beautiful church is also cared for by the Passionists, who along with the faithful in devotion to the Saint, organize yearly celebrations in her honor.

In the America's, perhaps the greatest shrine in honor of St. Gemma is the "Capilla Santa Gema" in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

"Oh! if I could Jesus!... I wish that I could bathe with my blood all the places where I see You insulted!" -St Gemma Galgani

A Call from the Lord Monsignor Nicholas Vidalis

EXTRACTS FROM MONSIGNOR NICHOLAS VIDALIS' BOOK “A CALL FROM THE LORD -which is different for each one” Published by: J & J Hellas Publications, Athens 2008.

Below are some extracts from an excellent book “A Call from the Lord” by Monsignor Nicholas Vidalis, a Catholic Priest currently living in Greece. As you will see, Msgr. Vidalis has been given many wonderful and extraordinary graces from our Lord over the course of his lifetime, and has agreed to publish in this book some of these graces for the sake of the Church, stating-
“As I approach the fiftieth year of my ordination, I hope this booklet will be an example for religious vocations.”

Many who visit this website will also be pleased to know that Monsignor Vidalis has a deep devotion St Gemma, and I was told that recently when he was questioned about her “he cried tears of joy when speaking of her.” In fact, he recently wrote a book in Greek entitled-
“Η ΠΑΙΔΙΚΟΤΗΤΑ" (which loosely translated means “childishness”, or in other words, spiritually childlike), which is a collection of biographies of various Saints (Edited and published by Graphion Kalou Typou, Athens 2007). In the book he writes an extensive biography of Saint Gemma, thereby revealing his fondness and devotion for the Saint. Also, when he decided to publish the monthly christian magazine "Angelos" (translated means Angel), he dedicated the first issue to the Holy Rosary, the second to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the third issue to St Gemma.

In an email, Monsignor Nicholas’ friend, Demetrius Hadjistavrides, who is the co-copyright holder of the book, explained to me how the book came about-
“This book, at first, was just a series of oral, confidential discussions, between Fr Nicholas and I. Sometimes, he decided to give these discussions in a book form, but anonymously. That was the first edition. However, when the faithful read that book, they went to him and said: "Father, it is very strange! When we read this book, simultaneously we heard your voice saying the same!" He realized then that he can no longer be hidden, and he admitted that he was the writer. He did not want himself or his name to be known, nor does he want anyone to somehow believe him to be a saint. Finally, seeing that many were those that publish private revelations, he decided on the second publication as well as on the English translation, to sign up his book.”

I joyfully present the extracts of his book below because of the wonderful impression it has left upon me, and I thank God that Monsignor Nicholas agreed to publish it. May God be thanked and praised for all the wonderful graces that He wrought in the life of Father Nicholas! And, while there are spiritual lessons to be learned in almost every grace that he was given, such as respect and devotion for the Eucharist, the great honor of the Priesthood, God's love for each person, the importance of Holy Mass, Eucharistic adoration and devotion to our Blessed Mother Mary, however, most of all it is God's love and goodness that shines through in every grace that He has given to Msgr. Nicholas. May He be blessed for His everlasting love, kindness and mercy!
–Webmaster

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Extracts from Monsignor Nicholas Vidalis' book entitled “A CALL FROM THE LORD -which is different for each one” Published by: J & J Hellas Publications, Athens 2008. (**Note: Subject headings, photographs and some bolding/italics were added by the webmaster)

Childhood

My childhood was spent in great poverty. My mother cleaned houses in order to make a living and to give me the opportunity to study at school. I was the only one among my brothers and sisters who graduated from the Marist Brothers High School. I was the only one who finished school! I will never forget that!
During the day I was all alone, as my mother was cleaning houses, and I think that she did not eat her food in order to bring it to me ... I was often waiting for her on the street, because she used to come home in the same way she went, on foot, so as not to spend the little they paid her. And the distances were in fact very large!
Although there was no church in the neighborhood, we both went to Mass every Sunday, always on foot. I remember how once my mother, on the way back home, found a 50 drachmas banknote (which had much more value then than it has today; this was a little before 1940) near a heap of garbage and she said to me:
"Do you see? Because we went to Mass, the Good Lord sent this to us so that we can eat today!"
Often, especially during World War II, we had nothing to eat. Nettles only! Not even greens! I remember once when my mother, having found some potato peelings in a garbage heap, boiled them in order to eat. I remember my body becoming hairy overnight, a sign that death from starvation was at hand! It was then that one of my sisters brought me something to eat, hoping that I would recover. From the neighborhood of Tourkovounia we could see the bombs falling over the city of Piraeus ...
During the great starvation of the war I was often telling my mother:
"Mum, I am starving!"
And since she had nothing to give me, I remember that she averted her face, so that I could not see her tears. It is very difficult for me to go on ... I wish and pray to God from the bottom of my heart, that she may enjoy great happiness in Heaven.


Importance of making a good Confession

Every Sunday, when we used to go to Mass, my mother used to suggest that I had to confess in order to receive Holy Communion.
It was in 1945. This I can tell considering where my home was then. It was Sunday, in St Therese church (1). The confessional was at the back of the Church. I confessed “as usual”. Afterwards I returned to my place, in the middle of the church, on the right. My mother was sitting at the opposite side.
I had confessed before Mass started. As I was walking towards my seat, something happened to me. Some kind of confusion, of loss of memory occurred. The Holy Mass proceeded as usual, the homily, the hymns, the Holy Communion. It was the fact that not only I did not pay attention -but of course I did not receive Holy Communion- I did not even realize when Mass finished! People left, the church was empty, and I was standing still there! Motionless!
I remember my mother nudging me and saying:
“Nico, let’s go!”

So I looked at her and followed her outside. On the way, my mother told me:
“You confessed, but you didn’t go to receive Holy Communion!”
I did not answer, I was still shocked… I pondered over what I had heard and what I had to do… My mother, being very distinctive, did not ask anything else.
Surely, the Holy Mass must have lasted at least one hour. During that moment I was talking with The Lord! I cannot tell whether it was internal or external, but I can tell that I was feeling Him close to my ear.
It was a catechism in depth and an examination of conscience, from my First Communion (that was not done properly), until my latest Confession. The Lord mentioned all the sins that I had omitted to confess. Of course, He was not stern. I did object in many cases, but He explained everything, so that there was no doubt left in me.
I remember telling Him:
“…I didn’t know it was a sin…”
Jesus answered:
“Now, you know. That is why you are going to confess”.
“How can I remember all this?”
“Each time, you are going to confess what you remember. You are going to Confession as many times as needed”.
“I am ashamed, because here everybody knows me!”
“Go elsewhere; To the Cathedral”.

And so I did ; I obeyed.
Since then, everything changed for me. I understood things better. I was enlightened. The difference between my old self (before the dialogue with Jesus) and my new self was very obvious to me. I understood that The Lord does not deny His Mercy even to the most sinful and embraces all souls with love and affection.
So, I knew then the difference between sin and not sin, although confessors had a different opinion, even nowadays.

(1) The author talks about the old St Therese de Lisieux church in 32, Eptanisou str. and not the new one which was erected later.


Extraordinary Call to the Priesthood
During that period of time I stopped going to the cinema, due to the bad influence of various films (here, I must say that I have never watched “bad” films). Afterwards, gradually, I started not going out with my friends and sharing their opinions. Once, they invited me to go with them to find “something pleasant” meaning sexual. I carried in my pocket the rosary and I was praying silently, not to find that kind of pleasure! And so it happened!

Once, a schoolmate and friend of mine was having a party. I was there too, dancing with a girl who suddenly told me:
“Dance with…(a girl’s name)”.
I understood that they had talked about me, because she liked me. I cannot deny that I too, felt something for her. It was the onset of a mutual attraction that could have evolved to something more.
So I started dancing with her, and then, I heard a very familiar Voice telling me:
“Nico, these things are not for you!”
I turned my head abruptly on the right (from where I had heard the Lord’s Voice) but I did not see anyone. I pushed the girl away and sat on the couch ignoring all the others.
I spoke internally, almost angrily:
“This is not for me; that is not for me… What then on earth is for me?”
And that was the end of all that stuff. From then on, I stopped going to my friends’ parties. However, I did not confide to anyone what was happening to me. I even did not mention it when I was confessing. I did not do that, because I wanted to hide something, but I simply thought that it was the right thing to do.

*******
Let’s go back to the early years, just before I joined the Navy and a while after the party when I heard the Voice of Jesus… It was only the beginning of a mutual attraction… Once again, the Lord is acting on time! Here is the occurring:
I left behind me the Municipal Market of Kypseli and while I was walking towards Aghia Zoni I crossed perpendicularly Fokionos Negri str. In the middle of the street there was a garden. On both the left and right side streams were running. There were tree-shaded pavements, roads on both sides, then pavements again and then the houses. There was even a pond where I used to swim in the summer. The eucalyptuses were really very high!
While I was crossing the road, suddenly I stopped on the pavement of the garden, in front of a very high eucalyptus from the top of which sprung a powerful but not blinding yellow-red Light! As I was standing still, looking at that Light, a dialogue with the Lord begun (2) about my feelings for that girl. The Lord said to me:
“This love is not a bad thing, however it does not last forever… MY LOVE IS ETERNAL! WHICH ONE DO YOU PREFER?”
I answered:
“Yours, which is eternal!”
I cannot recall anything else… Of course, more things where said before and after.
I kept on walking as if I was lost… I was still shocked by the phenomenon and my dialogue with the Lord. I was thinking of the consequences of my choice for the future…
I am still marveling at the subtlety concerning freedom of the Lord; It was an lifelong experience for me, the benefit of the souls as a confessor. I admired that He warns all of us in time, like me, before I went on… I believe that this is the way He acts for every soul. I think that it is not possible for anyone to use the excuse “I did not know” when the Day of Judgment is at hand.
So, I have never met that girl again! I was so sure that it was the Lord who was talking to me, so that I always obeyed without any doubt or hesitation. I have never felt sorry for the path I chose; I always feel happy fulfilling Hiss Will, provided that I know that it is Him talking to me.

(2) A note by the Author "I cannot tell how long it lasted, like the Confession I described before, during Mass."

I was still in the Navy, when on a Sunday I attended Holy Mass. I served as an Altar boy, because I wanted to be next to the Altar and look at the Holy Gifts.
A conversation with the Lord begun again during Mass (here I have to remind you of the deal I made with my friends, about not becoming priests). During this conversation, the Lord convinced me about the greatness of Priesthood! I was enumerating the reasons why I did not want to be a priest and I admit that He always answered convincingly to my uncertainties or difficulties. I recall telling Him:
“But (those) priests do (that)!”
The Lord answered:
“Well, do not do that!”
“But they behave (that way)!”
“Well, do not behave like that!”
“But being a priest is humiliating!”
“No, it’s not! It is a great honor! Just think that not only army officers leave down their swords and caps in order to serve Holy Mass, but even kings and nobles kneel in front of the priest, to receive Remission!”

The Lord told me a lot more things which unfortunately I do not remember now. However, when Holy Mass finished, I had no doubt for becoming a priest, and I was capable of making the best homily referring to Priesthood and its greatness! Of course, today I know much mre about the Priesthood, but at that certain period of time, I knew only what the Lord had told me. I had not known anything before, nor had I read anything relative to it.

*******
Devotion to the Eucharist and the Blessed Virgin Mary

After the 2nd Ecumenical Council of Vatican there was crisis in the Church, on various topics. I read somewhere that in certain countries there was even profanation of the Holy Eucharist! I was in front of the Tabernacle, very sad, even crying and I asked the Lord:
“What can I do, a humble person?”
The Lord answered:
“Organize a Week dedicated to the Holy Eucharist!”

In addition, when Hierarchy in Greece abolished the obligatory celebration of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady, I asked the Lord the same thing and He answered clearly:
“Organize a week dedicated to the Mother of God. In order to repair…”

So, both Weeks were celebrated with great success and much attendance. Everything was properly organized; as in similar Weeks that take place in other countries (as I learned afterwards). It was as if I knew how these Weeks were organized, although I was not aware of the way they are organized and I had never attended one.
My achievement was that each Bishop and priest of my Diocese came to my parish, and celebrated Mass for a universal purpose. Those purposes were related to the Church and the whole World intending to Salvation.
Indeed, for the Eucharistic Week, Pope Paul VI sent his Apostolic Blessing.
Everybody was asking me whose the idea had been. What could I answer? I did not want to lie -I do not usually do that - so I was telling them the truth:
“It’s mine…”

I do not know if they believed me. Even to me, this answer reminded me of the words of the Gospel:
“Can anything good come from Nazareth?” (3)

I have to remind to my readers of the fact that the work of the Lord is not done without fatigue and sacrifice. Prior to asking the Archbishop’s permission for these Weeks I had been fasting and prayed intensely for a month (!) and I asked others too, to pray for this purpose. When I went to ask for permission and saw the expression of his face… I still remember how hardly he said “yes” while I was praying mentally to the Mother of God! I thanked Her promptly for Her Intervention!

(3) John 1: 46

The Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist

Another time, I was celebrating Holy Mass in the St Dionysius Cathedral of Athens. After Communion, I closed the ciborium as usual, placed it into the Tabernacle and knelt worshiping Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, intending to close the door of the Tabernacle. Then, whilst I was still kneeling, I heard a Voice behind me:
“What about Me, down here?”
Without getting up, I turned around, and what did I see? A Host, in a fissure between the Altar and the wooden floor, among cobwebs and small pieces of litter! The fissure was smaller than 6 cm. I picked up the Host immediately, reopened the ciborium and put It inside. Then I placed again the ciborium into the Tabernacle, excited of what I had just heard and seen…
I thanked the Lord for choosing me to perform this kind of action. I wondered how long the Body of Christ must have remained there, whilst many priests had been saying Mass on this Altar. Someone may have opened the ciborium quickly and carelessly, so the Host may have been lifted by the air and fell on the floor.

*******
One time, I was celebrating the Holy Mass in the Church of Our Lady of the Victory, known as “Santa Maria”, in Rhodes. After Transubstantiation, when the Body and Blood of Christ are commixed into the Chalice, spots of Blood appeared on the left side of the consecrated Host, whilst I was holding It into my hand. The phenomenon lasted some seconds, then those spots of Blood disappeared. The people who attended Mass saw that phenomenon too.

*******
Attacks from the Devil

Apart from being often favored by the Lord, I suffered many attacks from Satan, like loud noises in the church and in the presbytery. I remember once, when a very loud noise woke me up at 3 a.m. I got up and went in the direction from which I had heard the noise, to find what had caused it. But simultaneously, I could hear the same noise coming from the office! I entered the room. There was nothing, however I was terrified. I looked then at the statue of the Virgin, and at my mother's photo that was behind it. So, I begged my mother, who knew that I was easily scared, and told her:
“You, who used to love Our Lady so much, tell Her to make me feel no fear anymore, even if Satan is trying to harm me". From then on, I has never been frightened ...

*******
During the time I was parish priest in my first parish, while in front of the same Tabernacle where I had heard the Lord telling me that "It's the last time you will giving Me to your mother!", this happened:
I was really in a very bad psychological condition ... my morale was low and I was suffering from sadness, and a spiritual dryness that I had never experienced before. I was sobbing, kneeling in front of the Tabernacle, and I recall telling the Lord:
“I can't stand it any more!"
Then I got up and went to the back of the Altar, to kiss the Tabernacle, which I had not opened until that time. Whilst I was kissing it, as my lips where touching it, a voice (4) whispered in my left ear:
"It's cold, it's frozen. There's nothing in it!"
I turned to the left and said: "Because there is, I worship Him!”
And suddenly, I was kneeling on the floor, worshiping Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. And ... miracle! All that sadness was over, like it had been cut away with a knife, and I felt wonderful! At once! Then I thanked the Lord ...

(4) The Evil one's.

*******
Sometimes, I started saying Mass healthy and feeling fine. In a while, I was suffering from pain in many parts of my body, such as my liver, my stomach or my head, and I was sure that "the other" (5) was causing all these unpleasant things to me. So I thought:
"I'm not going to do you that favor! I'm going to speak! (6)
After the homily and the Creed, whist I was returning to the Altar, I was looking at the Tabernacle saying:
"Lord, send him away!"
Suddenly, I began feeling better and I went on with Mass. Usually, I would try to find the provenance of that "bad vibe" and I knew from which particular person it was coming ...
I am recounting all this, as well as everything you are going to read on the following pages, because I believe that God wanted those phenomena to happen, so that my priestly life might be enriched as a confessor of lay and consecrated people, for the benefit of their souls.
(5) Satan.
(6) Homily

*******
An Angelic Appearence

During the repairs carried out on the chapel of the Sisters, I was living temporarily in an apartment, because the presbytery was under reconstruction. The apartment included an empty room, where I could reserve the Holy Eucharist. But I had not got a Tabernacle to keep the Body of Christ safely, as recommended by the Church. I was afraid of burglars and sacrilege, and I used to say, when I was going out or to bed: "My Angels, protect my Lord and me!"

One night, I woke up at 3 o'clock and I saw a luminous Angel, about 1,8m tall, whose wings were wonderfully colored. He was standing less than 2m away from me. I saw his profile and I began observing him, looking at him from his feet up to his head. As soon as my glance reached to his face, I tried to approach him, but he vanished. I was wondering why he had appeared at this place where I saw him. I went to thank Jesus in the Holy Eucharist and then I remembered my words:
"My Angels,, protect my Lord and me.” Suddenly, I understood! The Angel was standing at the middle point of of the distance between the Most Holy Sacrament and my bed! I admired how obedient these heavenly creatures are!

*******
Those supernatural phenomena which are mentioned above, are some of the few I can recall. I do not wish to give the impression that I am an extraordinary person. I am a sinner, well aware of my sins! But “God chose what is foolish by human reckoning”(7), those who are “nothing”…
I am considering St Paul, the Apostle of the Nations. God chose him and he received at once the entire Gospel! Despite that marvelous occurring, he writes to the Corinthians that he cannot boast about anything of his own except his weakness!(8) When he begged the Lord not one, but three times to set him free from the “thorn” in his body, the Lord answered:
“My grace is enough for you!”(9)
So, what can I say? With so much weakness? So many sins? So many “thorns” with which I have wounded the Lord? Perhaps, all these “thorns” make me humble, so as to behave with goodness, compassion and understanding, similar to Our Lord’s ones, each time a person comes to me in order to receive the great Sacrament of Repentance. We all have to imitate to Jesus, up to the low degree that we can achieve.
Whatever we possess in this life comes from the Mercy of the Lord. This is why the only thing we may incessantly repeat is:
“Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, the sinner!” Amen.

(7) 1Cor 1:27
(8) 2 Cor 12:5
(9) 2 Cor 12:7-9

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ABOUT FATHER NICHOLAS J. VIDALIS

Nicholas J. Vidalis was the last child of a large family and was born in Tinos Island (Cyclades) on October 30th, in 1930. His stay in Tinos was very short. He grew up in Athens where he graduated from the “Lycée Léonin” of the “Frères Maristes”.
His graduation as well as his joining in the Army was delayed due to the World War II and the Greek Civil War. He joined the Greek Royal Navy on April 10th, in 1953 as a specialist in sonar localization. He served in for 27 months and on July 25th, in 1955 was released, receiving the “Blue Ribbon Certificate of Discharge” with excellent behavior and ability.
In October in 1955, Archbishop of Athens told him to study at the Church University Propaganda Fide, in Rome where he obtained a Baccalaureate in Philosophy, within two years. In addition, he studied Theology for four years in a supplement of the same university in Genoa of Italy being taught by excellent professors of the time.
That Archbishop wanted him to study Law in the University of Genoa, but he was killed in an accident and his successor did not allow Fr Nicholas even to sit for an exam, because of “pastoral need”.
When he returned to Greece was appointed as a parson in St Lukas parish, in Heraklion of Attica. There, with the help of God and Our Lady worked irreproachably in all fields, spiritual and material. He organized with great success for the first time in Greece, one Eucharistic Week and one Week dedicated to Our Lady. Moreover, he undertook the task of restoration and extension of the St Lukas church, restored the St Therese chapel in Heraklion, the chapel of the cemetery and the ossuary. Furthermore, he was the supervisor of the construction of the yards and surrounding grounds of the churches along with numerous other tasks.
After ten years the Archbishop transferred him to the Cathedral. When the Archbishop resigned, Pope John-Paul II pronounced him as temporary (Ad Interim) Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Athens. So, in proper time, he handed the Archdiocese to the Archbishop who remains the current Archbishop today.

Because he suffers from a heart condition, he was operated on and is now retired. Nevertheless, he offers many spiritual services to the School of Sisters of St Joseph in Pefki of Attica and to the Monastic Communities, until today. In addition, he hopes to publish his scripts which he has elaborated during his religious life.

_______________________________________________________________
The book “A CALL FROM THE LORD which is different for each one” can be purchased for Euro $6.00 (approx $8.50 U.S.) from the bookseller Emmanuel Kalomiris –email (in English) erevnitis@yahoo.com or erevnitis@gmail.com See also the following webpage: http://www.christianbook.gr/catholicbooks.htm

For more information about Monsignor Vidalis and his book, contact Demetrius Hadjistavrides at demetrius65@gmail.com

EWTN Knights of St Michael clip on St Gemma

Jacinta M, a great friend in Saint Gemma, kindly posted a 4 minute clip on St Gemma from an EWTN episode of "The Knights of St Michael".
Mara Ruane portrays St. Gemma Galgani in the segment "God's Heroes", and in it we discover St. Gemma's great love for the Lord, her gratitude for her miraculous cure, her desire for purity, and her great longing to be with God forever.
Thank you Jacinta!

Co Redeemers with Christ -The victim souls

Victim souls are co-redeemers with Christ
By: Glenn Dallaire

“Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ's sufferings for the sake of his body, that is, the church” – St Paul to the Colossians (Col 1:24)

We read that St Gemma was a “victim soul”, but what exactly does this mean? Having read the lives of numerous mystics, the one’s that I have found most interesting are the “victim souls”, like St Faustina Kowalska, St (Padre) Pio of Pietrelcina, Therese Neumann, Blessed Alexandrina Maria da Costa, Marie Rose Ferron, Marthe Robin and finally my favorite and the subject of this website, St Gemma Galgani.

In the reading of these lives, I have caught glimpses of this great mystery of a “victim soul”. It is something that has always struck me, an explanation of which I will try to share in this article. It should be noted however, that I am not a theologian in any sense of the term, so I will try to avoid wading too deep into mystical and theological waters, of which I am not equipped or gifted.

We can begin with the words of Jesus as He spoke to Gemma in a ecstasy:

“My child, I have need of victims; strong victims, in order to appease the just anger of my Divine Father. I need souls who, by their sufferings, trials and sacrifices, make amends for sinners and for their ingratitude. Oh, if I could make all understand how angry My Father is by the impious world!”

Co-redeemers with Christ
A victim soul is a person especially called by God to sacrifice and suffer in union with Him for the conversion of souls, and in reparation for the sins of mankind. In other words, their mission is to lead souls to God. Most notably is the special union between Jesus and the soul victim. Jesus is not only with them, He is in them, and they are thus united to God in a special way for the conversion of sinners. Thus united, they are in a special sense, co redeemers with Christ. With this in mind we have St Paul who says-
“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me." (Galations 2:20).

Certainly the concept of a sacrificial victim is nothing new, as it has been in practice since the times of the Old Testament. In it, we read that the Jewish priests would make burnt offerings of animals as “victims” for sacrifice to God for expiation of sin (cf Lev. 16 for example). However, these victim sacrifices as sin offerings were really a prefigurement of the ultimate sacrificial Victim, our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the King of victim souls. He is the perfect and unblemished offering- "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”. Jesus is the redeemer of fallen humanity, and it is through Him that our sins are forgiven

Nevertheless, in the mysterious design of the Eternal Father, a certain reparation must still be made for sin. Thus St Paul states-

“Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ's sufferings for the sake of his body, that is, the church."(Colossians 1:24). It is in this sense that the victim souls cooperate with Jesus in reparation for the sins of humanity and also for the conversion of sinners. And it is also in this sense that we too are called to make reparation, to the extent that God wills, not only for our own personal sins, but also for the conversion of sinners. Thus, we are all called to be co redeemers with Christ, to the extent of God’s will and plan for each of us.

It is precisely in this strain that Gemma writes:
“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 innumerable sins, and if possible, for those of the whole world”

The close union of Jesus with His victim souls is essential for the accomplishment of the reparation and redemption that He desires through them. It requires their free cooperation not only with His grace, but their complete abandonment to His holy Will. As I mentioned earlier, Jesus it seems, is not only with them, He is in them. And it is precisely through this close union with Jesus that the reparation and co redemption is accomplished through the sacrifices and in the sufferings of the victim soul. Thus Saint Gemma, for example, in union with the Passion of Jesus, suffered at times the stigmata, the scourgings, the crown of thorns etc. on Thursday evenings into Friday afternoons, that is, the time period that Jesus suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane until His death on the Cross at 3pm on Good Friday. It is precisely through this close association of the mystic with Jesus’ suffering that the accomplishment of the reparation is made.

As an example of such events we can read for example Ms. Cecilia Giannini’s testimony, St Gemma’s “adopted mother”, who writes:
“If you wish to form some idea of it, recall to mind the large Crucifix that we have in the house, before which Gemma was in the habit of praying; she [Gemma]was like that. The same livid marks, the same torn open gashes in the skin and flesh in the same parts of the body, equally long and deep and equally horrifying to behold. Blood came from her wounds in great abundance. When she was standing, it flowed to the ground, and when in bed it not only wet the sheets, but saturated the whole mattress. I measured some streams or pools of this blood, and they were from twenty to twenty-five inches long and about two inches wide.”

(Signed) Cecilia Giannini

We will find this suffering in union with Jesus in the lives of all the victim souls. One of the countless examples we could offer could be the American mystic and stigmatist, Marie Rose Ferron. In Father O.A. Boyer’s excellent book “She Wears a Crown of Thorns” we read:
“One day, Rose made the following remark to her mother and a few friends who were sitting at her bedside- ‘How is it that I lose so much blood, when I have so little?’
[According to her spiritual director, Rev Father O.A. Boyer, due to her severe illness and overall poor health, Marie-Rose Ferron was reduced to perhaps 80 or so pounds in weight. Additionally, she often bled profusely through her stigmata, her crown of thorns and also the wound in her side. This is why she said ‘I have so little’ -editor]
“She had hardly said these words when she was rapt into ecstasy, and she began to talk [with Jesus] saying: ‘Oh, it is Your Blood that gushes out from my veins?....As for me, I am a mere nothing….nothing….Oh my Jesus!’

Click here for more info on the American Stigmatic -Mary Rose Ferron

In their extraordinary love for Jesus, the victim soul has a great desire to suffer in union with Him. And so in a letter on Feb. 23rd, 1901, Gemma writes:
"Jesus knows of my disposition to suffer everything to make reparation for my sins. He sees once again the pain I feel at all my ingratitude and also the pain I suffer when I see Him so mistreated. On Friday then I propose to do this: with a contrite heart I will go in front of Jesus ready to receive from His hand anything that will please Him in reparation for the many outrages that He receives. Strike me; strike me Jesus. I will bless a million times the hand that will exert upon me a most just chastisement. So dear Dad, I ask Jesus to have me suffer; and to suffer much..."

And so, there we have an explanation and description of the special vocation of victim soul.

For those interested, here is an excellent article on the Virgin Mary's role in the lives of the Victim Souls and their battle against the demons. The article is based on the booklet "Mary Crushes the Serpent."

“...Therefore Jesus do not abandon poor sinners. I am ready to do something. You died on the Cross , make me die also on the cross. They [sinners] are all your children... do not abandon them. Jesus, I want to save them all... am I not the one that must suffer for them? Therefore cast Your anger at me. You have so many sinners, but You have so few victims." –St Gemma Galgani

St Gemma Galgani photos & pictures 5

St Gemma often prayed before the miraculous "Volto Santo Crucifix" (above photo) in the Cathedral of Santo Martino in Lucca

Click here to go to St Gemma photographs -Page 6

***Note: You can click on the pictures to enlarge them.

St Gemma's answer to the call of God

The source for this article, rich in the sayings and statements of St. Gemma, is from the Italian book "La Povera Gemma" written by Padre Enrico Zoffoli C.P. and published in 1957. The book is a 1014 page hagiography on the life of St Gemma. The webmaster would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Mrs. Rita Dunn for translating it into English. May God bless her for her efforts.

"The Answer", Chapter IV of "La Povera Gemma" ("Poor Gemma") by Enrico Zoffoli C.P.

Pages 587 to 596

At God's first call, Gemma not only offers no resistance, but she exults in joy and begins [without hesitation] her sorrowful journey. She begins by physical sacrifice, then she relives the Mystery of the Cross illuminated by her sincerity and by the piety of her spirit.

The first dominant [ theme ] is that God, Most Amiable Father, who is Victim and who agonizes for the salvation of the world, asks her to participate in His pain by purifying herself, and by making reparation for others.

Sister Elena Guerra [her school teacher] must have explained abundantly to her about the mediation of Christ and the deep and true nature of His Passion. However even at the height of the Saint's mystic life, she does not always reveal to us distinctively the stronger lines or paths of the Theology of Reparation. Very rarely Gemma contemplates Jesus as "The Way" , if we analyse her own writings. He is for her always "The End" -God without much distinctions. Thus she does not speak of Him with that clarity that we would prefer like the "New Adam" in the Pauline theology [Theology of St Paul] as the moral Head of a fallen humanity.

Reading the "Ecstasies" or "The Letters", one could receive the wrong impression that Miss Galgani conceives and relives the Passion as a torture caused to Jesus by the Jews, by man's sins, as a offense done to God. However this is a question that is lightly hinted [on her Ecstasies or Letters]. Our Gemma does not explain much. What happens is that the sweeping wave of her charity does not allow her to use a desirable level of precision in language. She is a Mystic and does not worry too much to rectify phrases as they appear in current manuals of prayer or common themes of popular preaching. For Gemma, it is sufficient to understand the most orthodox aspects as they best assist her soul.

Drawn towards Calvary, Gemma is attracted towards the altar and the Heart [as described by] Paray-de-Monial [St Margaret Mary Alacoque and the Sacred Heart devotion -ed] that reminds the most intimate souls that they are bound to do reparation. The worship [ towards the Passion of Our Lord] preached with edifying fervor by Monsignor Volpi, especially in the aspects of its cruelty and its sacramental value, received in Gemma's spirit the most fervent devotion. She becomes inseparably associated in the redemptive work; she is ineffably participating in the Agony of the Saviour and in the Sorrows of Our Lady in which Miss Galgani pours out her entire heart as "daughter".

The answer to the call therefore being one by the motive that inspired her, is at the same time varied, and reveals to us the door to a spirit worthy of our study, and rich in its teachings.

Article1: "Oh Precious Pains of Jesus"
We are convinced of the inimitable style of literal beauty of Gemma's words and expressions, so we prefer to transcribe with fidelity her texts in the conventional order they are presented. In this way the world will be able to taste the originality and distinct power of the voice of the Mystic from Lucca. If we should limit ourselves to simply convey the "meaning" it would be equal to corrupt her words . The words of a Saint must be treated as live relics because they save parts of a great soul.

The story of that generous "Yes" to the call that came from Heaven is recorded by Gemma herself :

"Two sentiments and two thoughts were born in my heart the very first time that I felt and saw Jesus dripping in blood. The first one was to love Him , and to love Him to the point of sacrifice....the other thing that was borne in my heart after seeing Jesus was a great desire to suffer something for Him, seeing how much He had suffered for me!.."

Two relevant points. In Gemma the sentiment precedes the thought as she seems to reveal. It is certain that Grace already from the beginning was adapted to her psychology, following the method that her actions came from her senses, and from the heart, and then reached the intellect.

Moreover love pushes her to sacrifice, and in it [we find] the most concrete proof of her gratitude. This love clearly indicates her rational and supernatural mysticism and the most convincing motive of her " answer" [ to the call].

"Do not doubt" - she exclaims - "that your Gemma will follow You to Calvary....or who's voice is this that I so distinctively hear in my heart?... Yes, Jesus, I surrender to you my freedom, thus I become your slave for ever..."

"Oh Jesus, You tell me to embrace the Cross; where Jesus? Not anymore upon You [ the Cross] but from now on upon me. Oh Holy Cross, let me embrace you!"

"You ask for sacrifices? I will make as many sacrifices as You want. My entire life must be a sacrifice. I will endure all....Jesus the more difficult my cross will be for me, the more similar it will be to Yours."

"The Cross of Jesus is the Tree of Love that Jesus has planted into my heart."

"...Therefore Jesus do not abandon poor sinners. I am ready to do something. You died on the Cross; make me die also on the cross. They [sinners] are all your children... do not abandon them! Jesus, I want to save them all... am I not the one that must suffer for them? Therefore cast Your anger at me. You have so many sinners, but You have so few victims."

"You know Jesus that I am Your victim and You must be my Sacrificer"....

"Let me tell You again: I am looking for Your Love, Your pain, Your sufferings."

"You have really been killed out of Love : Jesus make me die of love..."

" I will sacrifice all for You; I will be faithful...".

"I want to receive a Grace from Mom [ the Virgin Mary] - she wrote to Fr. Germano in October of 1900 - " Listen [father] to what I want: I want to receive a cross, but a large cross. This is the gift that I ask. It must be large, so that I can folllow my Crucified Jesus with it..."

"Don't you know my Jesus? I told You that for the love of You I am ready for any sacrifice? Oh Jesus to love You and to suffer... I, Jesus, desire not to let you suffer anymore..."

I would like to suffer all myself... those blasphemies I hear; Jesus they make me ill. Who is it Jesus that makes you suffer so?... Oh Jesus, sins, sins! What would I not do to prevent sins!..."

p 590.

"Jesus, if a sacrifice would be necessary to see You happy, do not doubt that I would do it! Have I not come into this world to cry always? Every day is strewn with crosses. Oh Holy Cross I have embraced you...It is true Jesus that if I think of what I have gone through as a child and then as I grew up I have always had crosses. How wrong are those who think that suffering is a misfortune!".

These last remarks, so delicately autobiographic (of Gemma's life) ends with a high lesson, giving us a candid but fraternal warning. Thus Gemma is also capable of expressing herself with love, conveying knowledgeable counsels from her intimate convictions.

We have no doubt of her sincerity that transpires in one of her ecstasies:

" ...should I live in this world even for a moment without suffering, then I would ask You to let me die now.... the more I continue, the more I resemble You"

Therefore, the reflection that follows comes from her personal experience:

" ...who knows... if You would not have kept me close to the cross, how many times I would have abandoned You!...".

Her friend, Giuseppina Imperiali, confides to Gemma all her preoccupations about her family and the future life of her sons. Gemma without hesitation comforts her, repeating to her what so many times she told herself :

" Blessed be Jesus; blessed be the cross; oh, is it not in this where we find the true happiness? That Great God, who can do all things, will not allow that [ your children] will be without what is necessary. My dear sister, I want to give you courage, but what am I saying? Isn't Jesus enough To give you strength? Whoever loves Jesus is capable of suffering any cross. His love is so strong! May Jesus be your only riches!".

In the following [ letter ] she continues to comfort her friend from Rome in April 1901. Hoping in Paradise, she continues :

" ....an inner voice seems to tell me that we must continue at the foot of the cross for a little longer. If Jesus is nailed to the Cross, let's not complain if we must stay at the foot of the Cross a little more. Poor Jesus! Oh, if I had a heart made of all the hearts that are in love with You, oh my God, so that I could help You and compassionate You. I consecrate to You all the strength of my poor body and all my affections. May it never be true, that we my dear sister, will leave Jesus all alone on the Way to Calvary. But not only will we accompany Him to Calvary, but to the Cross, and unto death. Let us run towards the Cross, and also towards new crosses; together let us embrace them and say : " Oh! Holy Cross, if we think about the infinite love with which Jesus embraced you, let us make a final resolution never to run from you!.

Dear sister let us remember - she had already written to her a few months earlier - that we are followers of that Jesus that suffered so much. No, it is not enough to have the cross under our eyes, or to wear it, we must have it at the center of our heart. Dear sister how many things come to me [at this moment] -I can not even tell you. Let us go together in front of Jesus Crucified... lets look at Him, elevated on the Cross. Should we complain if we must stay for some time at His feet?...".

Some other reflections of the saint have a sober tone, interrupted at times by powerful explosions of affection, and most of the time they have the form of a dialogue. These personal reflections of Gemma point out the high level of spirituality of the saint and they can bring souls to self examination and resolve.

Miss Galgani is in ecstasy and she is struck at the sight of the Crucified Jesus:

".....then, You loved me to this point? You have granted me so many graces; so many favours; and I... what have I done for You?"

" Oh! Jesus what have You become? What happens to You, Jesus?....oh! The Holy Person [Humanity] of Jesus has become the person of amusement for all: they blaspheme my Jesus, they rebuke my Jesus, they curse Him, they hurt Him so much. Jesus, I am so surprised when I see Your humiliations. I do not want to hear about this anymore .... oh! if I could Jesus!... I wish with my blood... I wish to bathe with my blood all the places where I see You insulted! How could love do so much to Your Heart? Jesus what did these wicked ones do to You? Jesus aren't they tired?......No more blows on You, Jesus... It is right that when You want to give me a gift, You place the thorns on my head. It is I who sinned, You are innocent....I have sinned much....".

" Why are you so afflicted, oh my soul? You are offending your Love if you do not embrace with generosity the cross. You do not care about Paradise if you do not send your thoughts to Calvary. Do not be afflicted my soul: from eternity you are married to Jesus; together with His pains you are compelled to live crucified. Oh! Jesus, Jesus! Jesus my goodness!... I am famished for Your bread of Life, and I am thirsty for Your Sacramental Blood. Do You know why, soul of mine, I want you to embrace the cross? Because if the whips of the cross do not hit you a little, you are in danger.

"Oh Jesus.. I know that the Cross is dear to You, and that on the Cross You placed all Your tenderness, all Your affections...Your love is not jealous to take it away from me when I ask it of You. Oh! crucify my soul or make me die. My Jesus... my adored goodness, how I love You!"

She confides similar considerations Fr. Germano:

"I tremble concerning myself. I look at my Crucified Jesus and I am ashamed. It comes to my mind when I think of Jesus in the midst of all His sorrows and His torments and I feel an increase in shame. Jesus in the midst of so much pain and spasms offers up His veins for the healing of the entire world.

My dad [ Fr. Germano] what admirable patience! And I? I lament, I am afflicted and often I cry. I deserve so many pains because I am a wicked sinner.

Oh! Dear Jesus, how much I am unlike You! I can't suffer anything without complaining!..."

All of Gemma's direct and most intimate conversations are about the same theme. The most dominate that absorbs the entire soul of the saint:

"Jesus; You ask of me love.... Who killed You Jesus? Love! Jesus, those nails, that Cross.... it is all work of Love... Oh! Jesus, what would happen if one day it could be said that I was consumed by Your Love? Do You know Jesus how I would want to die? As victim of love for You!".

"Oh! Jesus, have pity on me! I have prayed so many times for others... have pity on this sinner that cost You Your Life. Forgive me, my God."

I am an orphan of mother and father; have pity on orphans. I am a friut of Your Passion, I am a sprout from Your wounds.....".

"You must be my teacher. The teachers of this world teach with their voice. You [teach] with sufferings. Always sufferings...and always with affection...."

"If we must suffer, let's suffer together. Who will have suffered more? You for love of me? Or I for love of You?

"Today the cross tomorrow the wounds. What a scene Jesus that will appear ahead! If You are Crucified, I suffer with You. Oh, but most of the time when I look for You, I find You on the Cross. To meditate on Your Passion Jesus has always been a relief for holy souls.....and I.... Why am I so dismayed at suffering? Many times,....Jesus!... Oh Holy Cross! Today the Cross , tomorrow... When, when Jesus? Why complain? What comes from Your hands is very dear to me!... How wrong they are those who believe suffering [is a misfortune].

"I complain so much Jesus! My confessor tells me to think whether You have suffered more for love of me, or I for love of You. There is no contest!"

"Tonight Jesus I want to suffer all by myself; or if You want to suffer too, then let us suffer together. We can thus be one victim; are You happy, Jesus?..."

* * *
Most of the time her fervor is uncontainable and her words come forth as darts:

"Oh! what did You say to me this morning Jesus? That love is formed by resemblance; but resemblance between us....is a Crucifix?!".

"As proof of my love, make me remember that my duty is suffering. In Your life I see that You were filled with sorrows. Yes, Jesus I want to suffer always with You".

"Oh Jesus, You give crosses to those You love. Jesus You are the love of all. You are the only love: I scream it out loud.....If You want me, I offer myself as a victim...".

"How can I Jesus remain in front of You and say nothing of this Cross? Oh Holy Cross, with you I want to live and with you I want to die. I love the cross because I know that the cross is on the shoulders of Jesus".

"Who will take me away from you? Maybe tribulations? Maybe the cross?... oh Jesus, I feel You....I feel Your blood flowing in my veins".

" You Jesus, to save my soul did not spare Your Life nor Your Blood. Jesus I too want to give my life for You. Do You believe it?

At times I feel the strength of the martyrs. I would do everything You want. I will die gladly on the cross for You. Now Jesus every Friday as I look for You I find You always on the Cross. But how? Almost dead. What was it Jesus? The Love that You have for me brought You to this point?....".

"Let the world come with all its treacheries; by now You see that my heart is all for You and towards Your sufferings".

"Oh heart of mine, how can you not die at the sight of the Only Begotten Son of the Eternal Father on the gibbet?...."

"I told You that You have suffered enough for me and for sinners. Come Jesus, if You wait I feel as if I will die. Yes my Jesus, the wounds that I caused You.....they are not Yours anymore but mine. Oh Holy Cross; receive me together with Jesus. My God!'.

"How well I feel the wounds of Jesus. They speak to me always of love and with such a sweet violence that I would.....".

"Jesus, Jesus make me partake of all Your sufferings. Let us love suffering for Jesus, for love is dying in suffering for Jesus".

" O my God, could I love You as much as I want, and suffer as much as I want?" Oh dear pains of Jesus!".

"My Lord Jesus, when my lips approach Your lips to kiss You, let me taste gall! When my shoulders lean on Yours, let me feel your wounds! When Your flesh will unite to mine, let me feel Your Passion! When my head will get close to Yours, let me feel the thorns! When my side approaches Yours, make me feel Your lance!"

P.595 Any comment would be so much colder than the fervor of these darts perturbing the enchantment that only the words of the soul of a Seraphim could create.
* * *

For poor Gemma, so rich in tenderness, it would have been impossible to contain herself in front of the scenes that would take her out of her senses, thus causing her to express from the depths of her being sublime and [almost] delirious words:

"Passion of Jesus!.... Angels of the Heavens, bow down together with me for the Passion of Jesus. Let us gather together the Blood of Jesus....Who is more fortunate than me, Jesus? Passion of Jesus! Let us all go to Jesus on the Cross.... a Crucified God! And yet Oh Jesus do I have the heart to resist You?.... Close to You, one does not suffer anymore....

"Come, let us all gather the Blood of Jesus that He poured abundantly, and I the last of Your servants deserve not even a drop. I adore Jesus and the outpoured Blood. I hope Jesus that You did not pour out Your Blood in vain for me. Oh God! Jesus dies! Jesus I want to die with You!...Oh thorns, oh nails, how many times must I tell you? Take your revenge on me, not on Jesus. Jesus dies giving me life. Passion of Jesus!...".

"Oh Passion of Jesus, I love you! Angels of Heaven come! Come all, let us adore the Passion of Jesus!".

"Oh Jesus who did this to You?..... Oh Holy Angels come, come but all of you to compassionate Jesus [ to pity with great mercy, -translator]. Passion, Passion of Jesus!... Let us all adore the Passion of Jesus, All! Oh....how much Blood! Oh Cross, why do you take revenge on Jesus? Not anymore on Jesus but on me! Oh cross, close to you I feel strong. I continually ask love for the cross. Jesus not to Yours but to the one that I am to embrace. I love it much!... It is on the Cross of Jesus that I have learned to love".

"Poor Jesus!... How many blows, poor Jesus!.... They do not let go those wicked [men], but You have so much patience. Leave Jesus alone... beat me instead, not Jesus. Why do You take revenge on Jesus? Take it on me".

* * *
We have thus contemplated the soul of Gemma. We have found the key to that inner vault of her interior soul, that secret vein that feeds her life and reveals in part the designs of Providence in her regard.....hardships, diseases, incomprehensions, diabolical assaults, together with spiritual anguish, sorrowful ecstasis... they are not a mystery anymore. The itinerary of her soul will be inspired by her heroic reply to the invitation that she hears from the height of the Cross.

Her very strong desire to enter the monastery and to be with the Sisters of the Passion could not be otherwise....

"The desire of Gemma - said Mrs. Cecilia - was to become a Passionist because of the austerity and the devotion to the Passion of Our Lord".

"I want to become a Passionist - she wrote to Fr. Germano - I suffer because I can not obtain my desire yet...". Time passes on and I can not take it anymore, help me, help me and make me a Passionist, Jesus wants it, Jesus wants it!'. I die of desire.... " My Jesus what are You doing? You have placed in my heart the vocation to become a Passionist and then You keep me from it? Don't You want to give me the grace to fulfill it?".

"Will I be able to hope that the last place will be saved for Your most humble daughter of St Paul? [St Paul of the Cross, founder of the Passionists -ed.] I will be good You know, I will always obey. Tell the nuns to let me serve among them, I will be the servant. I can You know, I can sweep, I can wash dishes, fetch water and I can sew. I will be obedient to all. Will You tell them to take me in? Tell them I suffer so much, it is a big sacrifice that I feel if I am not a nun. All I would do is cry. At times the sorrow is very strong because I see myself so far away... for that I feel terrible pains...".

Why so much insistance on the part of Gemma?

"Jesus can not take it anymore - she explains to Monsignor Volpi - ...I am the victim, Jesus my sacrificer. I can not tell you more."

Gemma was convinced that only by entering the monastery she could have satisfied her wish for martyrdom and transformation into her Crucified Spouse. Only later on in life did she come to understand and accept God's plan for her.

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"Tonight Jesus I want to suffer all by myself; or if You want to suffer too, then let us suffer together. We can thus be one victim; are You happy, Jesus?..." -St Gemma Galgani

Colorized St Gemma photograph

Saint Gemma in living color
Given the time period of Gemma's life (1878-1903), none of the 5 authentic photographs of her are in color, as obviously this technology was not available at that time. However, on this website and elsewhere there have been a few attempts to colorize them, however these attempts did not seem to capture the correct hair and eye color as described in Padre Enrico Zoffoli's hagigography on Saint Gemma. In his book, "La Povera Gemma" Padre Zoffoli gives the following description of Gemma:
"...She had a rosy complexion, her face shape was more round than oval , and her eyes were sky blue, (p.420) she had well defined lips and jaw, straight nose, large forehead and chestnut color hair in normal amount irregularly parted in the front and gently gathered behind the head. Habitually Gemma had a smile on her lips and her countenance was ever infused by a"veiled melancholy" that revealed the misfortunes and the passions of the young lady's soul. However, this internal sadness was affable and was revealed by her ever lowered eyes and her gaze which was irresistibly attracted and immersed in the mystery of Christ. The five authentic pictures reveal and confirm these descriptions about her....."

It is the "chestnut hair" and "sky blue" eyes that up until now seemed to have escaped the attempts that I have seen at colorizing the official photos. However, Mike from California, a friend in St Gemma, has used his talents and seems to have done quite a good job at bringing lively and true colors into one of the photos (above). I would like to thank him for his work and may God bless him for his efforts.
***Note: You can click on the photo to enlarge it (you can do this with all the photos on this website).

For those interested, I am also attaching to this article some of the other colorized Saint Gemma photos.


The full description of St Gemma can be found here:
http://www.stgemmagalgani.com/2009/02/gemma-was-beautiful.html

"My Jesus, have You become so poor as to want me? And even if You were really so poor, how could I help You? Here I am, my Lord; my body is a handful of dust, yet my Lord makes my soul so great! Oh my soul, praise the passionate love of Jesus, who moved by pity for my misery, offers me every means to reach His love!" -St Gemma Galgani