Gemma Galgani (1878-1903)

This young saint suffered much, but was always joyful — even to death . . .

Gemma Galgani

Feast Day: April 11
Canonized: May 2, 1940

Except for the stigmata, the life of this Italian mystic bore no amazing signs of her inner faith. But word of her sanctity spread fast, miracles attributed to her abounded, and Saints Maximilian Kolbe and Padre Pio eagerly read her autobiography. From the time she made her First Holy Communion, she became an ardent lover of Christ crucified and prayed to be allowed to participate in His passion.

She received the stigmata in 1899. The wounds would appear and blood flowed from late Thursday to 3 p.m. Friday afternoons, then quickly healed, leaving only white marks.

Though she desired to enter the convent, bouts of ill health and initial skepticism about her visions kept her out. Few beyond her family and spiritual directors knew just how amazing her life was. She could see and talk to her guardian angel, the Blessed Mother, and Jesus. She successfully fought off the devil, yet regarded herself as a wretched sinner.

She died of tuberculosis on Holy Saturday, 1903. Her last words: “I’ve made the sacrifice of everything and of everyone to God.”

MATTHEW A. RAREY is Legatus magazine’s editorial assistant.