BIOGRAPHY of ST GEMMA GALGANI - Get a Free Blog

out, the .wound continued to grow worse, so that he had to take to his bed. According to the doctor and to
those who attended Father Fabrizi, it was a case of' varicose ulcer of the right leg.' The sight of the wound
made a strong impression. It had increased in size to about seven or eight centimeters. It was a deep purple
and along the edges there were small pustules. The cure was made difficult by the advanced age of the
patient, who besides was suffering from other diseases.
In the evening of November 26, 1919, Father Fabrizi was suffering so much that a local chemist was called
in, but he suggested that the prescriptions of the doctor in charge of the case should be continued and that
he should go to Rome on the following day to see a specialist. The chemist described the state of the wound
thus: ' The wound was about fifteen centimeters in length and seven in breadth. The edges were very much
inflamed, swollen and lacerated. The surface was torn but covered here and there by dead tissue. I think
there may have been a purulent secretion present. The wound was flat with deep cavities in some places,
and of a palish red color. The physical and moral state of Father Fabrizi was depressed and he was feeling
more pain and inconvenience. than on other days.'
The advice of the chemist worried Father Fabrizi very much, and when everyone had left his room he began
to reflect upon what he ought to do. ‘Feeling upset and preoccupied by the necessity of going at my age to
Rome,' he afterwards deposed, , I uttered a fervent prayer to the Servant of God, saying: "0 Gemma, cure
this wound, for I desire to see thee raised to the Altars, and when that happens I shall die content!' " Then he
closed his eyes, and slept well, a thing he had not done on the other nights.
On the following morning when the bandages were removed in order that the wound might be dressed, to the
surprise of all, it was seen to be cured. Father Fabrizi was overjoyed. 'Gemma has done it,' he told all who
asked how he was cured. He got up, walked about and experienced no pain whatever. Considering his age,
the advanced state of the wound, and other circumstances, everyone was expecting his death, but, instead,
he was perfectly restored to health. The medical experts who submitted the case to a minute and rigorous
examination, agreed that in the night of November 26-27, 1919, the varicose ulcer of Father Fabrizi was
healed instantaneously, perfectly and in a manner clearly opposed to physico-pathological laws and clinical
experience, and they declared: 'With profound and clear consciousness of what we say, we affirm in the most
explicit manner that the cure of Don Ulysses Fabrizi belongs to the supernatural sphere and must be
regarded as miraculous.'
BEATIFIED
Heaven had spoken and the, Sovereign Pontiff in a Decree promulgated on February 19, 1933, declared that
the Beatification of the Venerable Gemma Galgani might now be safely proceeded with. The Ponent of the
Cause, Cardinal Granito Pignatelli, could now rest satisfied; the diocese of Lucca and the Passionist
Congregation could now exult with pride at the honor that was soon to be bestowed upon them; and the
multitude of the devout clients of Gemma could glory in the coming exaltation of their heavenly protectress.
Gemma Galgani was beatified on May 14, 1933, the fourth Sunday after Easter. In St. Peter's, Rome, under
Michael Angelo's dome, and framed in Bernini's Rays, the picture of this meek and humble girl was seen
surrounded with glory. Once more the words of the Holy Ghost were verified to the letter: 'God, who setteth
up the humble on high' (Job v, II). The triumph of Blessed Gemma recalls the message that went forth from
Rome in the Jubilee year of the Redemption, and was echoed throughout the world: 'Oh miserable modern
world, return to the consideration of the Passion of Christ; take refuge in His Wounds!'
122