On April 11, the Church honors the feast day of St. Gemma Galgani, a mystic, a victim soul, and a passionate lover of Christ, known as the “Flower of Lucca.”
Born on March 12, 1878, in Camigliano, Italy, St. Gemma lost her mother at 7 and her father at 19. At just 21, Gemma was graced with the stigmata, bearing the wounds of Christ in her body. She passed away at the age of 25 on April 11, 1903.
Five Powerful Quotes from St. Gemma Galgani
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”I am Yours, oh Jesus… I promise You that I will make amends."
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"My heart goes incessantly in search of a Treasure, an immense Treasure that I do not find in creatures."
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"Oh, how I love my Mother! Jesus Himself gave Her to me."
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"If you really want to love Jesus, first learn to suffer, because suffering teaches you to love."
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"Jesus, how is it that You permit Yourself to be insulted so much by me?”
What St. Gemma Teaches Us Today
St. Gemma’s life is a testament to the beauty of surrendering everything to Christ. St. Gemma Galgani, pray for us!