BIOGRAPHY of ST GEMMA GALGANI - Get a Free Blog

ecomingly decorated, nor is it surprising to know that she had no interest in the amusements which delight
other children. 'She had no inclina-tion or desire for games,' said Sister Julia Sestini, , and when obedience
compelled her to take part in school plays or concerts her demeanor was always edifying and serious. In the
daily recreations she preferred to be alone or with the teacher. . . . When her companions invited her to
accompany them I used to advise her to do so, saying: "Go along, Gemma, and don't be singular." Then she
went gladly and quite willingly.'
Elisa Galgani's recollections of Gemma's piety at this time are more detailed:
‘She had a deep love for the Blessed Virgin and prayed to Her with great fervor and devotion, often
repeating: "Holy Mary, make me a saint." She had also a very special devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Whom she ardently loved and to Whom she prayed
with extraordinary fervor. I remember that when she was a child at school, she used to pray for success in
her examinations so that her father especially might be pleased. She not only prayed, but carried on her
person little pictures of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Once I saw her dip her finger in the oil of the
lamp that was burning before the Blessed Sacrament, then touch her tongue with it in order that she might
be able to answer the examiners well .... She often read books about the Blessed Virgin, which were given to
her by Monsignor Volpi or by the parish priest of St. Leonard's. Sometimes she read them aloud to her
brothers and sisters and even to her aunts. Every day she said the Rosary with the family .... She made
triduums or novenas for every feast of the Blessed Virgin and not only attended the special devotions held in
Our Lady's honor during the months of May and October in the Church, but also repeated them at home with
her brothers and sisters.'
THE QUEEN OF VIRTUES
Among the virtues that adorned Gemma's soul, the queen virtue shone conspicuously. And indeed charity or
love for her neighbor for God's sake was one of her most outstanding characteristics even as a girl. Her
brother Guido speaks of her' special charity towards the poor.' If she met a beggar on her way to or from
school she would be sure to part with whatever money she had, and found more pleasure in its loss than she
would have found in anything it could have purchased. It was this charity united to a profound humility which
made Gemma keep silent under unmerited reproof, thus screening the actual offenders. 'Why don't you tell.
your teacher and let her know that you are not guilty? ' said Sister Julia Sestini, who did not like to see her
unjustly accused. 'Oh let the matter rest,' Gemma answered, ' it is better so.'
But already in these early years Gemma's zeal for the spiritual welfare of her neighbor was noticeable. She
listened with particular interest when the Sister read to the pupils in school the Annals of the Foreign
Missions.
‘Gemma was filled with a great desire for the universal reign of Christ,' deposed Sister Julia Sestini, ' and
worked for the conversion of infidels not only by prayer, but also by contributing whatever money she had.'
The pupils of the Sisters of St. Zita were all enrolled in the Associations called Propagation of the Faith and
Holy Childhood, and Gemma paid her subscription regularly.
God was pleased with her zeal for the salvation of souls, and seems to have given proof of His pleasure on
an occasion which was recalled by Sister Julia Sestini: 'It was during the Carnival,' she said, , and we were
rehearsing for our Concert when the Mother Superior entered the Hall and asked for prayers for a dying man
who had refused to receive the last Sacraments. We stopped the rehearsal and said some prayers. When
they were over Gemma came up to me and whispered: "Our prayers are answered." That same evening I
heard of the man's sincere conversion and that he had died with all the comforts of religion.'
A MODEL PUPIL
Gemma was, as we have seen, her father's joy, and her return every . evening from school with a smile on
her lips helped not a little to assuage the troubles of the day. He anticipated great things for her and watched
with pleasure her progress not only in virtue, but also in her studies. Elisa Galgani had distinct recollections
of Gemma at this time :
‘Once she had to confess to me that she had passed very well in all subjects in her class, and in French had
secured very high marks. Some of her companions having failed were sad and sore about it. She said to me:
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