BIOGRAPHY of ST GEMMA GALGANI - Get a Free Blog

Recommendations

Info

BLESSED GEMMA GALGANI (1878-1903), by FATHER AMEDEO, C.P. , Translated from the Italian by FATHER OSMUND THORPE, C.P., 1935, Published by Burns, Oates, and Washbourne, London. NIHIL OBSTAT: EDUARDUS J. MAHONEY, S.Th.D., Censor deputatus. IMPRIMATUR: JOSEPH BUTT, Vic. Gen. In obedience to the decrees of Urban VIII, and to the Apostolic Constitution ' Officiorum' of Leo XIII, we declare that we claim no authority for what is written in this book other than that which is purely human and historical. Preface: Saint Gemma "The Flower of Lucca" and "The Virgin of Lucca" Maria Gemma Umberta Pia Galgani (March 12, 1878 – April 11, 1903) Born March 12, 1878 Borgo Nuovo, Camigliano, Italy Died April 11, 1903 (aged 25) Lucca, Italy Beatified May 14, 1933 by Pope Pius XI Canonized May 2, 1940, Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican City by Pope Pius XII Major shrine Passionist Monastery in Lucca, Italy Feast April 11 (celebrated by Passionists on May 16) Attributes Passionist robe, flowers (lilies and roses), guardian angel, stigmata, heavenward gaze Gemma was often treated with disdain by some in the Church´s hierarchy; even her own confessor was at times skeptical of her mystical gifts. Her spiritual director, the Reverend Ruoppolo, was initially reserved, but after a thorough and prudent examination of the ongoing events surrounding her, he became completely convinced of the authenticity of her mystical life. After her death, he wrote a detailed biography of her life and was responsible for gathering all her writings, including her diary, autobiography, and letters. Saint Gemma can be considered as a saint with all the merits of being a saint. She was beatified within 30 years from the date of her death which included the mandatory five years waiting period before the process of canonization starts. Very few in the Catholic Church have had sainthood conferred on them this quickly. God bless you ! Bishop Ralph Napierski 2
CHAPTER I BIRTH AND EARLY YEARS A day of rejoicing occurred on March 12, 1878, in the home of the chemist of Camigliano, a smiling village at the foot of the blue Pizzorne near Lucca in Italy. Another child had come to gladden the hearts of Enrico Galgani and Aurelia Landi, who already had three children. Three more children were yet to bless their marriage, and therefore the child born in 1878 was to hold the middle place and to be as it were the heart of the family. Because they considered their children to be the gifts of God, these virtuous parents rejoiced at every new birth. They had indeed every claim to be considered virtuous. Enrico on his mother's side was descended from the family of Blessed John Leonardi, and his character harmonized with the sanctity of .the stock from which he sprang. Aurelia, according to the witnesses whose evidence was taken during the processes for the Beatification of her daughter, was a model mother and a saintly woman. From among many depositions made concerning them, that of a priest, Francis Ghilardi, is very short and to the point: 'The Galgani family occupied a good position in society, bore an exemplary character, and was most exact in the fulfillment of its religious duties.' [All quotations unless otherwise stated are from the Summarium Proc, super virtutibus.] The child was baptized the day after her birth by Don Peter Quilici, parish priest of Camigliano. There had been a disagreement in the family about the name she should be given. A paternal uncle, a captain of the army medical staff, wished her to be called Gemma. Her mother objected. The parish priest of Gragano, Don Olivo Dinelli, was asked to settle the question. Aurelia explained to him why she was reluctant to agree to her brother-in-law's suggestion. 'How can the child get to heaven,' she asked, 'if there is no saint of the name of Gemma?' 'But,' replied the priest, 'there are gems in heaven, and let . us hope that she may become a gem of Paradise.' So it was agreed to give the child the auspicious name of Gemma, to which were added Maria Umberta Pia. EARLY EDUCATION A month after Gemma's birth the family moved to Lucca with a view to living there permanently. Guido, the eldest child, explained that his father made this change of residence in order that he might the better attend to the education and training of his children. The story of Gemma's first years is best told by her aunt, Elisa Galgani, who figured prominently in her life, and who became a most important witness during the processes for her Beatification : ‘Gemma passed her childhood and youth in her own home under the watchful eye of her parents. At three years of age Gemma, together with her sisters and her very young brothers, was sent to a private school conducted by some sisters named Vallini. No complaints were ever made regarding Gemma, and her parents were assured that she was good and obedient. There she learned to say her prayers and to do very simple knitting. She was removed- from this school after her mother's death when she was seven. At this time she was always obedient and respectful to everyone and was never wayward. She was plump and good-natured, so much so that she used to amuse my brother. ‘When she was about four she came to our home at Porcari for a few days to enjoy the country air. My mother, in whose room Gemma slept in a little bed by herself, found her there one day on her knees, with hands joined, before a picture of the Heart of Mary. She called my brother, the army doctor, saying: "Come and see how Gemma prays," and together they watched her. "What are you doing, Gemma?" asked my brother. Gemma answered: "Go away, please; I am saying the Hail Mary." As they retired my brother said: "If I had a camera I would have taken her photograph! "’ Gemma's mother said morning and evening prayers daily with her children, and also taught the older ones to make little meditations. On Sundays she took them to Mass and to the evening devotions in the parish church. The children also went with her to the catechetical instructions for adults but she did not allow them to attend the catechetical instruction for children, preferring to instruct them herself or to bring a teacher into the house for that purpose. One of these teachers, Isabella Bastiani, made the following deposition in the processes: ‘The Galgani’s wanted someone to look after the sick and take charge of the children. My stepmother, 3
Page 1: 1 BIOGRAPHY of ST GEMMA GALGANI www
Page 5 and 6: not the child of prayer-the fulfill
Page 7 and 8: taken to have Gemma raised to the a
Page 9 and 10: ecomingly decorated, nor is it surp
Page 11 and 12: decided to plead her cause with her
Page 13 and 14: day was still very green : ‘I do
Page 15 and 16: esolution: I will make acts of cont
Page 17 and 18: punished the culprit.' In spite of
Page 19 and 20: Another incident illustrates her an
Page 21 and 22: eached home she would say that she
Page 23 and 24: His holy Mother, along with a feeli
Page 25 and 26: consultation, and the result was a
Page 27 and 28: The biography of St. Gabriel which
Page 29 and 30: 'I said to her: "Gemma, I know that
Page 31 and 32: from all His wounds. I lowered my e
Page 33 and 34: At home Gemma continued to follow t
Page 35 and 36: comfort. ‘ "The demons with My pe
Page 37 and 38: In 1899, in preparation for the ope
Page 39 and 40: their souls and become better instr
Page 41 and 42: efore. she was convinced that Gemma
Page 43 and 44: visited her family or the Zitine Si
Page 45 and 46: wrote to the latter: 'Father, the m
Page 47 and 48: Her love for the Blessed Virgin was
Page 49 and 50: 'I saw on one occasion, I think it
Page 51 and 52: happening, but I heard her say in t
Page 53 and 54:
will esteem it better than all the
Page 55 and 56:
BLESSED GEMMA GALGANI (1878-1903) P
Page 57 and 58:
'I saw with my own eyes the wounds
Page 59 and 60:
very near one another] A little whi
Page 61 and 62:
elations with anybody. This wise pr
Page 63 and 64:
is a true gem of the Sacred Heart o
Page 65 and 66:
Perhaps more than one reader, even
Page 67 and 68:
‘It is some time since I began to
Page 69 and 70:
that will compel Him to pour out Hi
Page 71 and 72:
say more than this, that there were
Page 73 and 74:
color of her eyes. The greater part
Page 75 and 76:
towards the end of her life, she us
Page 77 and 78:
why he endeavored in other ways to
Page 79 and 80:
‘One night-I do not remember what
Page 81 and 82:
prayers, and so everything ended we
Page 83 and 84:
These ecstasies lasted ordinarily f
Page 85 and 86:
false devotion. Hide me away from t
Page 87 and 88:
all being rapt in Jesus, that is, i
Page 89 and 90:
Gianninis' (mentioning the exact ho
Page 91 and 92:
loving Mom! If Jesus will persist i
Page 93 and 94:
of confusion at the thought of such
Page 95 and 96:
‘I should like to possess the pur
Page 97 and 98:
Lord, to die a victim of Thy love,
Page 99 and 100:
of Gemma that the conversion of a m
Page 101 and 102:
indeed have continued her intercess
Page 103 and 104:
had been commanded to do so by St.
Page 105 and 106:
never be happy except in a convent.
Page 107 and 108:
how much ingratitude and malice the
Page 109 and 110:
The foundation was indeed made. To-
Page 111 and 112:
same I have not got tuberculosis.'
Page 113 and 114:
heard to say repeatedly. 'Do not th
Page 115 and 116:
Gemma was indeed dead! The parish p
Page 117 and 118:
Gemma Galgani increased daily, and
Page 119 and 120:
Renaissance, by Father Henry Petito
Page 121 and 122:
Antipreparatory Congregation on the
show all

BIOGRAPHY of ST GEMMA GALGANI - Get a Free Blog

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?