BIOGRAPHY of ST GEMMA GALGANI - Get a Free Blog

, Gemma Galgani of Lucca, a most innocent virgin, who in her twenty-fifth year, consumed rather by the fire
of Divine Love than by the violence of disease, flew into the arms of her Heavenly Spouse on Holy Saturday,
the eleventh of April, 1903. Peace to thee, 0 sweet soul in company with the angels.'
This tomb held the precious remains of Gemma until April 7, 1908, when, with the permission of the
ecclesiastical and civil authorities, they were transferred to a more suitable resting-place a few yards away.
Her brother Guido, who was present at the exhumation, took away some flowers that had been placed in the
coffin five years before and which appeared to be still fresh.
One may ask why there was so much enthusiasm concerning one who in life had been almost unknown,
except to the Giannini family and a few others who used to visit the Giannini home. As the Holy Ghost has
declared, humility precedes glory. On April 11, 1903, a new life began for Gemma Galgani -a life very
different from the first. It was a sublime life of glory, and this enthusiasm constituted, as it were, but the
opening notes of a song of praise and veneration.
A PRODIGY AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE
The body of Blessed Gemma had not been long buried when it was suggested that it should be exhumed for
an autopsy, in the hope of finding some extraordinary manifestation of sanctity, as happened with some of
the Saints who were favored with gifts similar to hers. Some little time elapsed in obtaining the necessary
sanctions and it was not until the fourteenth day after her death that her tomb was opened. Her body was
found in exactly the same state as it had been when it was placed in the coffin, without the slightest sign of
decomposition. Her heart on being taken out was seen to be fresh, healthy-looking, flexible, reddish and full
of blood. Its shape, however, was very unusual. It was somewhat flattened and stretched towards the sides
so that it seemed broader than it was long.
There were present at the autopsy, according to Angelo Grotta and Father Germanus, two Sisters of St.
Camillus de Lellis; Chevalier Matthew Giannini, Joseph Giannini, the lawyer, and two doctors. , It was I,'
deposed Angelo Grotta, 'who operated by order of the doctors. In cutting into the middle of the heart I saw
and felt a jet of blood spurt out and strike my hand. This blood had all the appearance of blood that comes
from a living person, so that I marveled how there could be such living blood in a body that had been dead
for a fortnight, and remembering besides the physical consumption of Gemma Galgani. Her heart appeared
fresh, healthy looking, reddish and full of blood, just as if it were a living heart, and the blood in the ventricles
and in the orifices was in the same state and flowed very freely.' The doctors themselves were astonished.
What is the meaning of this prodigy? I t was the final trait of resemblance between Blessed Gemma Galgani
and the Divine Martyr of Calvary. St. John the Evangelist says : 'The soldiers therefore came, and they broke
the legs of the first and of the other that was crucified with him. But after they were come to Jesus, when they
saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers with a spear opened his
side; and immediately there came out blood and water. And he that saw it hath given testimony: and his
testimony is true' (xix, 32-35).
NEW LIFE
The grave is the end of merely human fame. But the grave is only the beginning of the glory and the fame of
the Saints. The fervor and enthusiasm which burst forth at the news of the death of Blessed Gemma Galgani
will but increase as time goes on, for her tomb will become a centre of attraction for many hearts, and the
goal of many pilgrimages. T ears will be shed in abundance there and flowers symbolizing love and gratitude
will be scattered around the spot where her body lies. For the popular enthusiasm will be rewarded by
Heaven by the gift of its choicest favors, and the notes of praise will continue to increase in volume. Blessed
Gemma Galgani, like the Saint of Lisieux, is spending her Heaven in doing good upon earth.
The fame of Gemma's sanctity soon began to spread beyond the confines of Lucca. It may be said that it
was she who made herself known and honored by the extraordinary graces she began to obtain for those
who invoked her intercession. Four years after her death, in 1907, her spiritual director, Father Germanus,
published for the first time the Life of the Servant of God. This biography, written by one who knew all the
secrets of 'her soul, was a revelation to many. It was so well received that in two months the first edition was
exhausted. Another edition was prepared containing more details, and in three months this was also sold out.
From that time on, the number of those who declared themselves admirers and devout clients of Blessed
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