*We highlight these Saints to inspire our students and contribute to their growth in Catholic education by fostering understanding and appreciation for Catholic values and teachings. We encourage parents to share the stories of these Saints with their children to deepen their spirituality and motivate them to live their faith with conviction, following the examples of these admired role models.*
St. Gemma Galgani was a young girl with a heart close to and very similar to our Lord’s. She didn’t live for attention, but rather to glorify God as a kind and gentle servant!
St. Gemma was born on March 12th, 1878, and she was one of many in her family. Growing up, she studied in school with the Sisters of St. Zita, and she absolutely loved to learn! Even though she was a bit reserved in school, all of her teachers and fellow students loved her. She had a smile for everyone she met.
Unfortunately, St. Gemma was not able to finish school due to chronic health issues starting from a young age. Despite troubles in her own life, St. Gemma had a heart for others, especially the poor. So, when her father died when she was only 19 years old, she took it upon herself to help raise her 7 brothers and sisters as a mother would.
After a short visit with one of her aunts, she fell ill again with meningitis. She only found this difficult to live with and recover from not because of how it affected her body, but because of the care her relatives had to provide for her. She didn’t want to trouble anyone ever, and was miraculously healed from the disease after she prayed to the Venerable Passionist, Gabriel Possenti.
Her real troubles came from her desire to be a nun, but never being accepted due to her health issues. With her deep disappointment, she offered it up to God.
“When I shrink from suffering, Jesus reproves me and tells me that He did not refuse to suffer. Then I say ‘Jesus, Your will and not mine’. At last I am convinced that only God can make me happy, and in Him I have placed all my hope…”
— St. Gemma Galgani
The biggest part of St. Gemma’s story was her blessing of the Stigmata. In June of 1899, St. Gemma was warned of the new grace she would be receiving from the Lord. She would have pain and blood coming from her hands, feet, and heart, just as Jesus did during the passion and crucifixion. She was blessed with this every Thursday evening until they healed up on Saturday, leaving white marks behind where the wounds had been.
Only those who had a heart to love for others like the Lord received this kind of grace. She experienced the stigmata until her Reverend Germanus Ruoppolo convinced her that it was getting too much for her health. So, St. Gemma prayed for the disappearance of the stigmata, and it did stop, but the white marks remained until her death.
In January of 1903, St. Gemma was diagnosed with tuberculosis, and died on April 11, 1903, on Holy Saturday. She died with a smile on her lips so joyful that the priest almost didn’t believe she was gone.
St. Gemma Galgani was canonized on May 2nd, 1940, by Pope Pius XII. Her relics remain at the Passionist Monastery in Lucca, Italy, a monastery she predicted would be built after her death.
St. Gemma Galgani suffered through many health issues in her life, but she didn’t use those as reasons to turn inward on her misfortunes or away from God. Everyone she met knew her as joyful. They saw her as a daughter of God, who was patient, kind, and giving of herself. She was a beautiful soul with the heart of a saint!
FAMILY ACTIVITY: St. Gemma is the patron saint of those seeking purity of heart. Encourage your children to pray for purity of heart in their own lives! Additionally, St. Gemma had a heart for serving the poor. Your family can care packages or volunteer with your local homeless ministry or shelter.