BIOGRAPHY of ST GEMMA GALGANI - Get a Free Blog

and remained there until Signora Giannini or her aunts came to bring her home. I think that Gemma was
living in the Via Biscione at that time.'
These depositions are quoted at length, especially the last one, in order to prove that when Gemma
frequented the Convent of the ' Mantellate ' nuns, she was already in contact with the Giannini family, and
that the nuns came to know her through Signora Cecilia, who was a fervent tertiary of the Servants of Mary,
and that if, as is true, Gemma sometimes spent the night at the Convent, it was not because she had been
abandoned by her relatives.' [L'Osservatore Romano, January 25 and 26, 1932]
Gemma stayed with the ' Mantellate' nuns for a few days on another occasion. Her first visit was
accompanied by many extraordinary facts which will be mentioned later on in this book. We shall also have
to relate the steps she took in an endeavor to become a religious in this same Convent.
CHAPTER XIII HER NEW FAMILY -THE GIANNINIS
In order to give the reader an account of Gemma's new family there is set down here in its entirety the
description given of it by the Carmelite nun Sister Gesualda:
'The Giannini family was really and profoundly Christian and reminded one of the ancient patriarchal families.
At its head was Matthew Giannini, tall, dignified, with a long white beard-a fine type of man from whose
countenance goodness and kindness beamed. His was a sincere, upright, pious soul. His wife, a diligent and
intelligent mother, was not less pious. At that time her eleven children formed a stairway, from the eldest,
who was at the University and about to take his degree, to the youngest who was not yet out of long
clothes. . . . An aunt completed this family-Aunt Cecilia, whose watchful care made her loved by all. Because
Signora Justina was often sick, it fell to Aunt Cecilia's lot to look after the affairs of the household, and it was
a task that was not always easy. Nevertheless she was able to find time for works of charity and zeal. To
understand how she was able to get through so much work, it was enough to see her. Slim, energetic, good,
there was a resoluteness and masculine intelligence in her look. Her piety was not merely emotional, but
enlightened, genuine, deep. Her sincerity-a marked characteristic of hers-could be read in her counte-nance.
. . . Christ was King of this household, and the Gianninis made no mystery about it. The family drew its
income, a large part of which was given to the poor and religious orders, from a pharmacy, a chandler's shop
and several properties in the country. A certain part of the house was set aside for the use of the Passionist
Fathers, who when they came to Lucca ... knew that they had at their disposal at the Gianninis' , special
rooms, a little chapel, and a refectory with a crucifix looking down upon the table as in their own monastery.”
[Un flore di Passione nella citta del Volto Santo, PP. 104-105]
The Giannini family, therefore, must always be associated with the name of Blessed Gemma Galgani, and be
blessed and venerated by all who love and honor her. This family is a shining example of how pleasing and
acceptable to God is charity, and of how He rewards it even in this life. The name of this family will be
remembered through the centuries, and their house will be regarded as a holy sanctuary where a saint has
left the perfume of every virtue.
HER EDIFYING CONDUCT
Before proceeding with the story of Gemma's, life it is thought well to mention here some of these virtues,
gleaned from the evidence of witnesses. It is to be regretted that the most authoritative witness of all in the
Giannini household did not live long enough to take part in the ceremonies of the Beatification. Aunt Cecilia
died at eighty-four years of age, on December 24, 1931, less than a month after the Sovereign Pontiff had
declared that Gemma had practiced virtue in an heroic degree, and had bestowed upon her the title of
Venerable.
Upon entering her new home Gemma had but one thought, to love as ardently as possible that God who had
come to her rescue in her spiritual and temporal necessities, and also to show her gratitude to the hospitable
and good family by edifying and assisting them as far as she could. Matthew Giannini thus spoke of
Gemma's conduct in his home:
'When she was with my sister Cecilia, especially on Sundays when we went out for a walk, I believe she
occupied her time either in reading or in conversation. In the evening they went to Benediction. As far as I
know Gemma never went out alone, for she went to the church both morning and evening with my sister, and
we never sent her on errands or anything of that sort. We treated her as one of the family. Even when she
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