About St. Gemma
St. Gemma Galgani was a remarkable Italian mystic who lived a brief but intense spiritual life at the turn of the 20th century. Born near Lucca in 1878, she experienced multiple tragedies early in life, including the loss of her mother and father, along with severe health problems that prevented her from joining a religious order. Despite living as a layperson, she developed an extraordinary prayer life marked by frequent ecstasies, stigmata (receiving the wounds of Christ every Thursday evening through Friday afternoon), and reported conversations with her guardian angel, Jesus, and the Virgin Mary. She endured intense spiritual and physical sufferings, including demonic attacks, while maintaining a simple life helping her aunt raise her younger siblings. Her spiritual director initially doubted her mystical experiences but later became convinced of their authenticity after witnessing them firsthand. Though she died of tuberculosis at just 25 in 1903, her profound spiritual writings and complete devotion to Christ’s passion made her a model of holiness for lay Catholics. She was canonized in 1940, and is often called the “Daughter of Passion” due to her intense participation in Christ’s suffering.
Prayers & Devotions
