BIOGRAPHY of ST GEMMA GALGANI - Get a Free Blog

the reward that awaited her. When she came out of an ecstasy, the Sister asked her if Jesus had consoled
her. 'Oh,' she answered, 'if you were to have even a glimpse of what Jesus allowed me see, you would be
overjoyed!' On that same day she received the Holy Viaticum. From March 23 she had been deprived of
Jesus, who had always been her all, her very life. She desired to receive Him again on Holy Thursday. So as
not to be disappointed she remained fasting in spite of the burning thirst she suffered. I t was another
heavenly scene. After receiving Holy Communion she was rapt into ecstasy and saw a crown of thorns. ,
Before all Thy work will be accomplished,' she was heard to say, ' what a lot will have to be suffered! '
Afterwards she said to the Sister who was attending her: 'What a day to-morrow will be!'
‘IT IS FINISHED '
The following day was Good Friday. At about ten o'clock Cecilia Giannini, tired out and sleepy, wished to go
home and rest, but Gemma begged of her to remain. 'Do not go away,' she said, ' until I am nailed to the
Cross. I have to be crucified with Jesus. Jesus has told me that His children ought to die crucified.' After
some time she was rapt into a profound ecstasy. She stretched out her arms and remained in that position
until half-past one. She did not speak, but one could read in her countenance the pain she was suffering and
the love that filled her heart. She was in agony with Christ on the Cross.
The rest of that day and the following night was passed in continual suffering. At eight o'clock in the morning
of Holy Saturday she received Extreme Unction, following with a singular devotion its administration.
According to Monsignor Volpi and Elisa Galgani, she again received Holy Communion. In the meantime
those who could console had retired. Her likeness to Jesus Crucified had to be complete. Neither her
confessor nor her director was present. Only a few charitable women were near her, their sorrow increasing
hers, as the sorrow of the women on Calvary increased the sufferings of the Savior. At first she had
expressed a desire that a telegram should be sent to Father Germanus, but she let the matter rest there,
having also made a sacrifice of his presence. The priests who had given her Holy Viaticum and administered
Extreme Unction, she did not see again. 'A priest and a Christian is all I want,' she had said, or as Canon
Andreuccetti records : 'A Crucifix and a priest is all I require when I am dying.' She had prayed to die without
any comfort and her prayer was granted.
Even God withdrew His sensible Presence. Her mind was no longer illumined by His light, nor her heart
warmed by the slightest consolation. And to crown her desolation the powers of Hell launched upon her its
fiercest attacks.
Monsignor Volpi was summoned. He gave her absolution and tried to comfort her. Gemma would have liked
him to use the exorcisms, for she saw the Devil near her under a horrible form and threatening her. The
ravages of her disease had exhausted and emaciated her, but in spite of this, her body became so heavy a
short time before her death that three people could not lift her in bed. When she was told this she remarked:
'It is not I who am so heavy.' Nevertheless, both Canon Andreuccetti and Monsignor Volpi refused to use the
exorcisms. After the latter had given her his blessing he asked her if she was now content. She answered '
no ' ; for Gemma desired that he should use the exorcism to free her from the Devil, who was tormenting her.
Monsignor Volpi then left to return no more.
When Gemma understood that on account of urgent business Monsignor Volpi could not remain with her,
she took her Crucifix into her hands and, raising it up before her eyes, said: 'See, 0 Jesus, now indeed I can
bear no more. If it be Thy Will, take me.' Then turning to a picture of the Blessed Virgin she prayed: 'Mother
mine, I recommend my soul to thee; ask Jesus to have mercy on me.' She kissed the Crucifix and, placing it
over her heart, her hands joined above it, she closed her eyes and remained motionless. Later on the parish
priest, Canon Angeli, came and was with her to the end.
Let us reconstruct the scene. Gemma was raised up in bed with her head resting on the shoulder of Signora
Justina Giannini. Euphemia Giannini was kneeling weeping, her head bent down over Gemma's right hand,
which she was holding in hers. The others were standing with their eyes fixed upon the dying girl.
When Cecilia Giannini saw that Gemma was sinking fast she hurried to call the other members of the family.
'Gemma is dying,' she announced. Everyone except the young children hastened. to Gemma's bedside. At
half-past one she took a turn for the worse and then without even a tear or a deep sigh, she ceased to
breathe, a smile meanwhile illumining that face which, in spite of the ravages of sickness, had always
remained beautiful. Thus Blessed Gemma died, as a child goes to sleep in its mother's arms. The parish
priest, who was reciting the prayers of the Church for the dying, asked: ‘Is she dead ? '
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