Gemma Galgani was born in 1878 to a pious family in Italy, and by the age of four, she was already devout in her prayer life. When her mother died, it was 7-year-old Gemma who consoled everyone in the family. By 18 Gemma had also endured the death of her father, extreme poverty, and multiple health problems. She prayed to suffer whatever was necessary to achieve sainthood, and God answered her prayer with tuberculosis of the spine. Despite violent headaches, pain, deafness, and partial paralysis, she prayed ever more fervently. She was briefly cured after a novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She received many ecstasies and visions, and also the marks of the stigmata. Gemma died from tuberculosis on Holy Saturday at the age of 25.
CHALLENGE
St. Gemma Galgani became a Passionist tertiary because of her intense love for the Passion. For her, love and suffering were one and the same. If we desire to love Jesus more, we must be willing to suffer more, but too often we are afraid of the cross we may be given. Today, consider the crosses you already have and be thankful for them. Then pray for the strength to accept any other cross you are given for the sake of your sanctification.
Forwarded this email? Don’t miss tomorrow! Sign up today and get The Saint Challenge delivered to your inbox!
Deepen your love for the Sacred Heart of Jesus! The Sacred Heart Book of Devotions is full of prayers, litanies, meditations, and hymns that will enflame your love for the Sacred Heart!
