St. Gemma Galgani

Saint Gemma was born in 1878 near Lucca, Italy. From her childhood she dedicated herself to meditation on the Passion of Jesus Christ, leading an innocent life and longing ardently for heaven. She was orphaned and, then charitably weIcomed into the home of a deeply Christian family. Consecrating herself to God by a vow of virginity, she joyfully applied herself to run the way of perfection.

She had a singular devotion toward the Eucharist and toward Jesus Crucified. Graced with special supernatural charisms, she offered herself to God for the conversion of sinners. Her ardent desire was to enter the Passionist Nuns but was never realized because of various difficulties, including poor health and the publicity surrounding her extraordinary graces. She distinguished herself as an extraordinary exemplar of holiness in the midst of the world. She had many visions and at times the stigmata, the wounds of Jesus, were visible on her body. She died at Lucca on Holy Saturday, April 11^th 1903 at the age of 25.