Gemma was born near Lucca, Italy, in 1878. When she was 20 years old she was attacked by an incurable tuberculosis of the spine. After many novenas to St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother, she was completely cured.
Gemma tried to imitate St. Gabriel by becoming a Passionist but was rejected. She was again stricken with an illness. Her life of love and suffering came to an end in great misery and loneliness. She said, "0 Jesus, I can bear no more. If it be Your holy Will, take me." She lifted her eyes to a picture of Our Lady and said, "Mother, I commend my soul into your hands, do ask
Jesus to be merciful to me."
She died April 11, 1903. Her feast day is April 11th.
Gemma's remains are in the chapel of the Passionist Sisters Lucca. A marble tablet states: "Gemma Galgani from Lucca, most pure virgin, being in her twenty-fifth year, died of consumption, but was more consumed by the fire of divine love than by her wasting disease."
O God, hear prayers through intercession of St. Gemma, Your Servant, by imitating her for the Passion of Your Loving Son, we grow in our own of Jesus Crucified. Amen.
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