BIOGRAPHY of ST GEMMA GALGANI - Get a Free Blog

would climb on to the bed and put her arms around her mother's neck and kiss her. The doctors often
suggested that the children, especially Gemma, who was the eldest daughter and the most thoughtful and
affectionate, should be kept away from the sick-room because the patient had tuberculosis. Gemma was,
therefore, sent to St. Gennaro to stay with an uncle, Anthony Landi, who owned much property in that district.
The place was not new to Gemma, for her mother used to spend a month there every year with her children.'
Gemma was at St. Gennaro for three months, according to her aunt Elena Landi, when her mother died on
September 17, 1886, aged thirty-nine. Her five years of slow martyrdom had purified her soul and made it
more worthy of Heaven.
Shortly before her death she said: 'I offer my life willingly to God that I may obtain the grace of having my
eight children with me in Paradise.'
‘Gemma received the news of the death from her aunt at St. Gennaro with whom she was staying,' continues
Elisa Galgani. 'Her only words then were: "Mom is in Heaven." Although she loved her mother deeply she did
nor cry, but remained serene and calm, and submissive to God's will. Her first words to me on returning
home from St. Gennaro were: " Why are you weeping? Mom is in Heaven and suffers no longer; oh, how
much she suffered ! You must now try to regain your own health so that you can help us." ,
THE LOSS OF HER MOTHER
The loss of a mother is always a great calamity in a family, especially when all the children are still young. At
Aurelia's death, the youngest child, Julia, was not yet three. What was Enrico Galgani to do? Already his
sister Elisa was living with him while she recovered from the effects of an accident sustained at Lucca. So he
decided to invite another sister, Elena, to look after his home and the children. As for Gemma, she had
already chosen in place of her earthly mother, a heavenly one-Mary, the Mother of God.
In addition to the void left in the family by his wife's death, there was the void made in Enrico's heart by
Gemma's absence. About Christmas time, therefore, he arranged for the homecoming of his children who for
some months had been staying with various relatives. Gemma was to leave St. Gennaro. There were
difficulties, however. She had grown into the hearts of her uncle and aunt, and they were reluctant to part
with her. 'Gemma was always good and obedient to all,' said Elena Landi.
‘When her mother sickened, she asked me to take charge of this child, saying: "If there is no objection at
your home, I should be very pleased if you would keep Gemma with you." One day the aunts and nephews
came to say that since Gemma was the eldest daughter she should return home to her brothers and sisters,
and that if I wanted one of the children I could have one of the younger girls. I loved Gemma so much that I
did not wish to have anyone else in her place, and I became indignant. The poor child seeing me cry became
upset, and said to me resignedly: "Oh Aunt, let me go to please them; I will come again soon." Hearing these
words from a child of seven only made me more indignant. I cannot describe how displeased I was.'
But even before Elena and Elisa had set out to bring back Gemma from St. Gennaro, there was one who had
been praying fervently for her return home. This was Gino. To Enrico, Gino and Gemma were one, and this
was an added reason that made him determined that there should be no delay about Gemma's return. So at
Christmas the members of the scattered family were once more reunited. But it was a sad Christmas. No one
could fill their mother's place and she was missed at every turn. Everyone was sad except Gemma, who with
a strength above her years encouraged them all. , Why should we weep? ' she said, ' Mom is in Heaven.'
ENTRUSTED TO THE CARE OF THE SISTERS OF ST. ZITA
After probably the saddest Christmas in his life, Enrico came to an important decision regarding Gemma,
who since his wife's death had become doubly dear to him. Gemma had already left the infants' school kept
by the sisters Vallini, and it was therefore necessary to send her to a more advanced school where her rare
gifts of mind and heart might be cultivated to the best advantage. Like a good Catholic, Enrico could think of
nothing better than to place her under the care of a very holy nun, Sister Elena Guerra, who had founded in
Lucca a religious institute, the Oblates of the Holy Ghost, commonly called Zitine Sisters.
What, one conjectures, were the feelings of the holy foundress when she first came face to face with Gemma
Galgani? Sometimes it happens that saintly souls when meeting on the pathway of life experience an
unusual spiritual attraction for one another. When in 1907 Sister Elena Guerra heard that steps were being
6