Saint Gemma Galgani - Early Years Saint Gemma Galgani was born in Camigliano, a small village not too far from the historic city of Lucca, the Lord blessed Aurelia Landi2 and Enrico Galgani on March 12, 1878, with a tiny, precious little baby girl (as the priest who baptized her, exclaimed upon seeing her), una Gemma del Paradiso! Saint Gemma Galgani's mother had hesitated naming her new-born child Gemma, as it was not a Saint’s name, but did so, taking the priest’s words as prophecy that the Lord had blessed them with a gem from Heaven. Once again, we find “Holy Clusters”3 as we discover, Gemma’s father descended from the same family as a Saint, St. John Leonardi. Gemma would bless the same city, Lucca, that another Saint, St. Zita4 blessed in the 13th Century. As her father had relocated his family to Lucca, soon after Gemma was born, she spent most of her twenty five years of life there, and now after death, rests there for the faithful to come and venerate till today. Although she was one of seven children, she and her brother Gino were their father’s favorites. He liked to take Gemma and her brother for walks. But when he showed special favors to them, they both rebelled, not wanting to be treated better than the other children. Nevertheless, we can be sure, the rest of the family probably resented the two and did not look upon them, kindly. Saint Gemma Galgani showed signs of sainthood from a very young age. One day, her grandmother noticed her precious, chubby, little granddaughter, all of four years old, kneeling before a picture of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. When her grandmother called an uncle over, they asked the child what she was doing. She replied, she was praying the Rosary and to please leave her alone, so that she could continue. Needless to say, this little feisty future saint had her way; they left her with her Blessed Mother. Even from this young age, it was obvious, Gemma would belong to no one but the Lord and His Mother. Saint Gemma Galgani was her mother’s life! They would pray together, the little girl joyfully keeping up with her mother. Each day, she excitedly looked forward to the time when her mother told her stories about Jesus and His Mother. But that was tragically to come to an end when Gemma was only five years old. Her mother became ill. The next few pain-filled years, her mother would hold her little girl close to her, cradle her in her arms and ask the Lord why He had sent this precious girl to her so late. She would tell Gemma, she wished she could take her up to Heaven with her. Saint Gemma Galgani - Suffering Servant Gemma, in later years, gave full credit to her mother for the great love, she had for God through the Cross. Her mother taught her the Faith, through the Lord Crucified, speaking of that loving God the Father Who sacrificed His only begotten Son for her, and of Jesus the Son Who willingly suffered and died for her. Knowing suffering first hand, her mother taught Saint Gemma Galgani the value of the Cross. As death approached, her mother, completely bedridden, continued telling her stories about Jesus. But when she was nearing the end, she told her little Gemma that soon, she would learn from Jesus Himself Who would speak to her from the very depths of her heart. As she could feel the debilitating ravages of consumption draining her of life, her mother, Aurelia, requested Gemma be allowed to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, before she died. Although she was only seven years old, her mother’s instructions had fared her well and the Pastor agreed. The day of her Confirmation came and she was confirmed. After that Mass was over, she and her family stayed to give thanksgiving at the next Mass. As she was deep in prayer, praising the Lord for the gift of this Divine Sacrament that He had given her, Saint Gemma Galgani Saint Gemma Galgani heard a voice interiorly ask her: “Will you give me your mother?” She replied she would, but asked the Lord to take her, along with her mother. The Lord asked her to give her mother to Him, unconditionally. This was to be the first of many sacrifices that He would ask of her throughout her life, as she would join Him on the Cross. Saint Gemma Galgani has an encounter with her Guardian Angel As her illness had taken a toll on her strength, Saint Gemma Galgani was not able to return to school. She remained at home and taught her sisters and brothers. At her beatification, one of her brothers said, "Gemma always brought the olive branch."7 She lovingly cared for the needs, both spiritual and physical of her family, often at the neglect of herself. She had no use for fancy clothes, and adorned herself in simple, extremely austere black dresses. One day to please a relative, not wanting to offend him by refusing his gift, Saint Gemma Galgani wore a gold watch and a gold cross and chain when she went outdoors. When she returned home, who should come to her but her Guardian Angel. He scolded her: "Remember, the spouse of the Crucified King should wear no ornaments but thorns and crosses." She immediately pledged never to wear nor speak of things of the world. She went back to the severity of the clothes she had been wearing, and when she ventured out, she donned a simple black cloak to cover a shapeless black dress and a straw hat. This did not detract from her fine patrician looks, but instead enhanced them. Her Guardian Angel stressed obedience! He would repeat over and over again: "Obedience! You must obey! You must be like a dead body; whatever is asked of you, you must obey quickly and joyfully!" He was not above reproaching her, scolding her: "If you do not obey, I will not show myself to you, again." He taught her that to disobey would always lead to sin. He told her there was no shorter road to Heaven than through obedience!
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