Gemma Galgani

Who they were

Gemma Galgani was born on 12 March 1878 at Borgonuovo di Camigliano near Lucca. Her mother died when she was seven, then her seminarian brother Gino and her father; the family was ruined and Gemma was taken in by an aunt. She herself suffered from spinal osteitis and mastoiditis.

Outstanding in contemplation of the Lord's Passion and patient in suffering, she shared mystically in the Passion of Christ, happy to be 'a shoot of his wounds', burned with love for the Crucified and offered herself as a victim. She died on Holy Saturday 1903, aged twenty-five.

The miracles

She was beatified by Pius XI; Pius XII, who canonised her, called her 'the star of his pontificate'. The Dicastery's biography does not describe the miracles approved in the cause.

Why that counted as sanctity

A young woman who shared in Christ's Passion out of burning love for the Crucified.

Connected on this site

• Edvige Carboni Blessed
  “She recorded an extensive spiritual journal in which she recorded appearances from Jesus Christ as well as saints such as Gemma Galgani and John Bosco.” — Wikipedia
• Elena Guerra Blessed
  “After a pilgrimage to Rome with her father in 1870 she wanted to give her life to God, and founded the Oblates of the Holy Spirit, called the Sisters of St Zita, to educate young people; among the hundreds she formed was St Gemma Galgani.” — this site's research
• Eufemia Gemma Giannini Venerable
  “Her family's home often received Saint Gemma Galgani, and after Gemma's death Eufemia entered the new Passionist monastery at Lucca in 1906, taking the name Gemma Magdalene of Jesus.” — this site's research