¤ Saint Of The Day ¤

St. Gemma Galgani was born near Lucca, Italy, on March 12, 1878. At only twenty years of age, St. Gemma was attacked by tuberculosis of the spine. Local docters declared the disease hopelessly incurable.
After countless novenas to St. Gabriel, she was completely cured on the First Friday of March, 1899.

At this time, free from her illness, she sought to fufill her life-long wish of pursuing her religious vocation with the Passionist nuns, but her application was rejected.

From 1899 on, ths quiet un unexcitable girl who was endowed with a remarkably fervernt religious disposition underwent many extraordinary religious experiences — all of which were carefully investigated by her confessor and spiritual director, Father Germano.
Over the next eighteen months, St. Gemma was blessed with the stigmata. The marks appeared off and on her hands on feet, and she had frequent visions.

In the year 1902, she was again stricken with an illness, which she assumed to be tuberculocic, and she died peacefully in the night, on April 11th, 1903.

She was beatified by Pope Piux XI on March 14th, 1933, and canonized by Pius XII on Ascension Day, 1940.

God, You showeredheavenly gifts on St. Gemma. Help us to imitate her virtuues during our earthly life and enjoy ebternal happiness with her in heaven.
Amen.

 

PS – Happy Easter!