Sarah Berardelli

Mr. Campbell
15 December 2017
Religion II

Saint Gemma Galgani

Life was not made to be simple and Saint Gemma Galgani is just one example of a

challenging life. Gemma was born on March 12, 1878 in Lucca, Italy and was the fourth of

seven children. At the age of seven, Gemma’s mother died, and her brother Gino had

tuberculosis which caused his death at the age of eight. When Gemma was in church one day for

Mass, a voice called out to her saying, “Will you give me your mamma? And she replied, “yes, if

you will take me as well”. This voice replied, “No, give me your Mamma without reserve. I will

take you to heaven later”. With the result of these deaths, it caused her family great sadness,

especially in her father; Enrico Galgani. Enrico’s grief ultimately led her family to struggle with

poverty, but little time later her father was diagnosed with throat cancer. Gemma realized that

she needed to do everything possible to take care of her ill father. After some time passed,

Gemma was given the opportunity to expand her learning at the Sisters of St. Zita in Lucca. This

is the time when she began to realize how much she enjoyed prayer. With the death of her

mother, she had a devout interest in Mary the mother of Jesus. She believed that the death of her

mother was for a reason of her deeper interest in faith, therefore she prayed “Holy Virgin, make

me a Saint” prayer. She was so egger to be even closer with the faith, but she was denied. Her

priest would tell her she was too young to be so involved in the faith and want so much from it.

Currently, it was uncommon for one to get sacraments at a young age. After being baptized,

Gemma felt a fire burning in her heart and she knew what it was. Her faith continued to grow,

and Gemma would constantly say “Gemma is good for nothing, but Gemma and Jesus can do all
things”. This quote is one of the reasons why Gemma is a Saint because she had all her trust in

God and would not deny that she physically and emotionally needed God in her life. At this time

of her life, she got very sick and had no choice but to stop going to school. Gemma had a foot

injury and then turned into an extreme infection, causing her to become bedridden. For an

operation she chose not to use an anesthetic because if Jesus was able to be crucified on the

cross, bearing all that pain, then she could too. Later, after her operation Gemma was placed in a

large home to help others and she would make altar linens and vestments for the church or

clothing for those who could not afford it. Gemma always cared and put others before herself no

matter what her condition may have been. Then, Gemma got diagnosed with spinal tuberculosis

and her prayers to Gabriel Possenti made him appear to her telling her to be strong. February

1899, Gemma was miraculously cured from tuberculous and after a year her journey was almost

over, but Gemma was a fighter.

Prayer:

Saint Gemma Galgani,

” Please give all those suffering from disease or illness the strength to be brave and

positive. Help all those who question their faith or do not have any beliefs. Please guide them in

the right direction of God and your ways of doing. Help all those of injuries to be cured or

improve. All people struggling to find their way of life give them the strength and courage to be

loud and proud for who they are. Amen.”

 Works Cited

“Biography of St Gemma Galgani.” Biography Of, www.stgemmagalgani.com/p/blessed-gemma-

galgani-biography-of.html.

“Biography of St Gemma Galgani.” Biography Of, www.stgemmagalgani.com/p/blessed-gemma-

galgani-biography-of.html.

Finaldi, Simone. “St Gemma Galgani - The First 20th Century Saint.” CTS Catholic Compass, 13 May

2016, ctscatholiccompass.org/st-gemma-galgani-1st-20th-century-saint/.

“Her Virtuous Childhood.” Saint Gemma Galgani ~ Her Virtuous Childhood.,

stgemma.com/eng_childhood.html.

“Life of St Gemma Galgani.” Life Of, www.stgemmagalgani.com/2009/01/life-of-st-gemma-

galgani.html.

“Saint Gemma Galgani.” St Gemma's Hospice, www.st-gemma.co.uk/saint-gemma-galgani.