BIOGRAPHY of ST GEMMA GALGANI - Get a Free Blog

In the following chapter we shall see more particularly how much these resolutions, and especially the
second resolution, were to cost Gemma.
On one occasion a sick man who would not go to the Sacraments was recommended to Gemma's prayers.
The witness, Carola Puccinelli, who gave evidence concerning this sinner, also mentioned four ecstasies of
Gemma at which she was present. She said:
'On January 9, 1900, at three o'clock, I saw this young girl on her knees in silence, with hands joined and
eyes closed. Then she began: "My Jesus, before my heart offends Thee, allow me to die now that I hope I
am in the state of grace. I have so much to say to Thee. That sinner . . . I do not want to see . . . that sinner
has grievously wounded Thy Heart. Remember that when You didst show Thyself to me crucified, I had
grievously wounded Thy heart, and yet You didst have compassion on me. Have compassion also on this
sinner. You do call me Thy sinner, call him also Thy sinner. That Cross, what is it, 0 Jesus? Thy Mother
weeps and You do not answer me. Do not abandon him. Some people who have been good to me have
recommended him to my prayers. I cannot otherwise return their kindness to me. o my Jesus, I have nothing
to give Thee; but art You going to leave me so soon ? "
‘On January 12, 1900, I again saw this young girl on her knees with her hands joined and her eyes closed.
She said : " 0 Jesus, if I was not forbidden to do so by my confessor, I should give my hands and my feet to
Thee. Take my heart; I can give that. Make me suffer what You will, give me that pain in my heart, 0 Jesus."
Then it became difficult for her to breathe, and she fell down upon the floor. She was helped up again. She
appeared to be suffering much. After a short silence she said: " 0 Jesus, You art suffering, and You do make
me suffer also. Do not pay any attention to my body, which is the enemy of my salvation. 0 Jesus, that man. .
. . Didst You not say You had died for sinners? He is Thy child .... Obstinate sinners . . . but then when . . . 0
dearest Mother, thy duty in Heaven is to intercede for sinners. 0 Jesus, art You going away ? "
‘On January 26, 1900, I saw this girl once more. Her eyes were closed and in her right hand there was a
wound as if it had been pierced by a nail. Because until this time I had been doubtful about these facts, I was
very much confused at the sight of the wound, and did not dare to look at the other hand. Blood was
perspiring from her forehead, clear red blood. She was praying: " 0 Jesus, I offer myself to Thee for that
sinner I have made myself responsible for. I have obtained all the necessary permissions, and therefore I can
offer everything to Thee. Do with me whatever You desire. He is in my hands and I will hold myself
responsible for him. I will see that he is saved. I do not ask for justice but for mercy. Yes, I have all the
necessary permissions, and I can suffer. I can endure the Cross because it is Thy Cross; the sufferings will
be Thine ....
‘On July 20, 1900, I saw her again, this time seated in an easy-chair. A sweat of blood was trickling down her
face. She looked like an angel. She began to speak as if there was someone near her. "0 Jesus," she said,
"all is going well when one suffers to Jesus, I am bearing that sinner on my shoulders."’
The obstinate sinner mentioned in the above ecstasies, for whom Gemma prayed for a year, was at length
struck down with a serious illness. A very short time before his death, his heart softened and he consented to
make his peace with God. The priest was sent for, and the man lived just long enough to receive absolution,
and the benefit of the Jubilee indulgence. At the exact moment of his death, Gemma turned to Cecilia
Giannini with whom she was out walking and exclaimed: " He is saved, he is saved!" Canon Andreuccetti
who also deposed the above facts, adding, however, precise details about the persons concerned, declared
that' although he was in great pain he died resigned, and showing clear signs of piety and contrition.'
FOR SINNERS AND THOSE RECOMMENDED TO HER
The evidence of the Processes amply proves that Gemma very often had sinners in her hands and on her
shoulders, as she used to say herself. Cecilia Giannini declared: 'She used to spend several nights in prayer
for any sinner who was recommended to her. Sometimes when we were in the Church she asked me to pray
for a soul who was then very near conversion, saying: " Let us recommend him to the Blessed Virgin
because he has not the moral strength to give up his sin. He often makes good resolutions but has not the
courage to put them into practice .... " It is not astonishing, therefore, that those who knew her should have
frequently asked her prayers for the conversion of certain sinners with whom they were acquainted. They
could not have done anything more pleasing to her than this. Signora Justina Giannini herself attested that
she recommended to Gemma's prayers a person very dear to her. Gemma promised to pray, and must
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