St Gemma Galgani

St Gemma Galgani


Passionist Convent in Lucca where the saint`s remains lie


Tomb of St Gemma Galgani

St Gemma Galgani was only 25 years old when she died on 11th April 1903. 11th April is her feast day.

She was always plagued with ill health: tuberculosis and meningitis being two of her maladies.

Born near Lucca, she spent her whole life in the area and is buried in the Passionist Sanctuary in the city of Lucca (outside the old city walls).

Orphaned early on, responsibility for bringing up her siblings devolved on her.

She had wanted to be a Passionist nun, but ill health and her responsibilities put paid to this.

Still, she devoted her life to prayer. She had the marks of the stigmata.

A mystic who had visions, who made many sacrifices and had a deep prayer life despite ill health and other misfortunes.

She was beatified in 1933 and canonised on May 2, 1940, only thirty-seven years after her death.


References:

Catholic Online: St. Gemma Galgani
http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=225

Official website (Italian)
http://www.santagemma.org/

Italian site: Santuario Santa Gemma
http://www.santagemma.it/

Santa Gemma (Italian site)
http://web.quipo.it/santagemma/

Sanctuary in Spain
http://www.santagemabcn.org/web/index.html

EWTN
http://www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/GALGANI.htm

St Gemma Galgani from The Story of the Passionists
http://www.passionist.org/gpih/gemma_galgani.html

Mystical or hysterical? - The Voices of Gemma Galgani: The Life and Afterlife of a Modern Saint, by Rudolph M. Bell and Christina Mazzoni - book review
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1058/is_10_120/ai_102140732