Saints
St. Gemma Galgani Medal- Patron Saint of Students and Pharmacists
St. Gemma Galgani is the Patron Saint of Students
St. Gemma Galgani was a Catholic mystic and saint who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She is best known for her deep devotion to God and her willingness to suffer for the salvation of souls.
Gemma was born on March 12, 1878, in the small town of Camigliano, Italy, as the fifth of eight children in a devout Catholic family. From a young age, she displayed a deep spiritual sensitivity and a strong desire to serve God.
In 1896, at the age of 18, Gemma fell ill with spinal meningitis and was given last rites. However, she miraculously recovered and attributed her recovery to the intercession of St. Gabriel Possenti, who would become her spiritual guide.
After her recovery, Gemma began to experience mystical visions and ecstasies, during which she would receive messages from God and the saints. She also developed stigmata, which were wounds resembling the wounds of Jesus’ crucifixion that would appear on her hands, feet, and side.
In 1899, Gemma’s spiritual director, a Passionist priest named Father Germanus, encouraged her to begin a spiritual diary to record her mystical experiences. She wrote down many of the mystical visions and messages that she received during her ecstasies.
Throughout her life, Gemma struggled with physical and spiritual suffering, offering it up for the conversion of sinners and the salvation of souls. She became a Third Order Passionist and her devotion to Passion of Christ and God was evident to many people who knew her.
Gemma’s reputation for holiness spread quickly and many people came to her for spiritual guidance and healing. She died on April 11, 1903, at the age of 25, and was buried in the cemetery of the Passionist monastery in Lucca.
After her death, her spiritual diary and other writings were widely read and her devotion was spread far and wide. She was beatified in 1933 and canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1940. Today, St. Gemma Galgani is venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church and her feast day is celebrated on April 11th.
The Life of St. Gemma Galgani
Who is the Patron Saint of students? Saint Gemma Galgani was born on March 12, 1878, in a small Tuscanvillage near Lucca, Italy. Her father was a chemist and an extremely good man; her mother was a most holy woman. Saint Gemma Galgani’s mother was the reason for her early devotion to Our Lord’s Passion. The Galgani’s had eight children, of whom Gemma was the fourth. The Galgani children received tender care and love from their mother.
A great sacrifice
Saint Gemma Galgani received the Sacrament of Confirmation at the age of seven. As she followed the Mass devoutly, she seemed to hear a voice within her ask: “Will you give Me your mother?” She answered, “Yes; but take me with her!”. She heard the voice answer “No!” “Give me your mother willingly. You must stay with your father. I shall take her to Heaven!” Gemma felt constrained, but she answered “Yes”, thereby making her first great sacrifice to God.
Growing in faith
When she was told of her loss, the extraordinary way in which she realized it to be the Will of God, proved the realization of a hero-inspired offering at the time of her Confirmation. The Christmas after her mother’s death, Gemma’s father sent her to the school of the Sisters of St. Zita. While she was there, at the age of nine, St. Gemma Galgan made her First Communion. She was unable to express what passed in that moment between her soul and Our Lord. Her promise to “always be good” was consistently carried out.
Disease and pain
In 1894, at age sixteen, Gemma left St. Zita’s and went home to her father. She grew daily in the longing desire to suffer with her crucified Savior. This desire was soon gratified, for in 1896 a most severe physical suffering was sent to St. Gemma – a diseased bone in the foot, which required removal. Gemma refused an anesthetic and bore the torture with heroic patience as she kept her eyes fixed on the crucifix.
Further suffering
Soon after her recovery from this severe operation, other troubles began for Gemma and her family. St. Gemma’s father developed throat cancer and he died in 1897, leaving his children penniless. Soon after, St. Gemma experienced an attack of pains in her back. In addition, the devil sometimes attacked her, and even struck her at times, though she always sought the help of the Blessed Virgin Mary, her heavenly Mother. After a long, suffering illness, Gemma made a vow of chastity, and in February, 1899, joined in a novena to St. Margaret Mary. St. Gabriel appeared to her and promised to make the novena with her each night, praying with her. In her pain, she went to confession and received Holy Communion. The next day, she rose from her bed miraculously cured.
St. Gemma’s Conversations with the Lord
When Gemma received Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, He said to her: “”My child, many and yet higher graces will follow the one I have granted you this morning. I will be to you as a father, and she shall be your mother (and He pointed to a statue of Our Lady of Sorrows greatly loved by Gemma)”. From that moment on, all suffering felt minimal to St. Gemma. Shortly after her recovery from this illness, she attempted to become a Nun, as she had promised to do while sick. But her health proved not strong enough.
St. Gemma Galgani Receives the Stigmata
During deep prayer on Holy Thursday night, 1899, she was overwhelmed with sorrow for her sins and had a vision of Our Lord on the Cross. It was never erased from her mind. One day after she had received Holy Communion, the Lord said to her, “Gemma, I expect you on Calvary, on that Mount towards which you have been led”. On the eve of the Feast of the Sacred Heart, in 1899, Gemma received the sacred Stigmata, or marks of Our Lord’s five Wounds, which caused her intense suffering.
Rising to Heaven
Gemma continued to have many trials and sufferings; also ecstasies. The fame of her sanctity soon spread abroad, and many favors were received through her prayers. She died on Holy Saturday, 1903, and was canonized by Pope Pius XII on the Feast of the Ascension, in 1940.
St. Gemma Galgani Patron Saint of Pharmacists and Students
Today, the Catholic Church regards St. Gemma Galgani as one of the patron saints of students along with St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Scholastica. Additionally, St. Gemma Galgani is the patron saint of of pharmacists due to her father being a pharmacist.
Popular St. Gemma Medal and St. Gemma Galgani Rosary
A St. Gemma Medal or a St. Gemma Rosary is a perfect gift to give to a young woman who has chosen St. Gemma as her confirmation name. As the patron saint of pharmacists and students, wearing a St. Gemma medal daily is a perpetual prayer for St. Gemma to intercede on behalf of the wearer. As saints are united closer to God, their prayers are more efficacious, and enriches your own prayer.
Additionally, a St Gemma pendant is a reminder to emulate the example of the holy saint as you study and prepare for exams or as you serve your community as a pharmacist. What a beautiful testament of faith to share with the world, or to keep discretely tucked under your clothes. During the challenging moments of your day, reflect upon the holy life of St. Gemma and pray for her intercession and protection.
Medals and Pendants
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Prayers to St. Gemma Galgani
Prayer for the Intercession as you put on your St. Gemma Galgani Medal and Necklace
Oh holy Gemma, I am near you, help me to pray. You know what I and those near me need; look after my urgent needs and my spiritual and material wants. You take care of them! I confide in you and entrust all to your loving care.
Offer up to Jesus that tender and constant care that you bore Him here on earth.
Oh holy Gemma, you who physically suffered all the pains of the Passion of Jesus, I beseech of you the grace to meditate on and live the Passion of Jesus, and the sufferings of Holy Mary. Pray that I will be able to walk in the path of humility, simplicity, love and sacrifice, fulfilling at all times and in all ways, the holy will of God. Let me live united with Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and you, for all eternity. Amen.
Prayer to St. Gemma Galgani
O God, Who fashioned thy servant Saint Gemma into a likeness of Thy Crucified Son, grant us through her intercession the favor that we humbly request, and through the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Thy Son, may we be united with You for all eternity. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Prayer to St. Gemma Galgani
Dear St. Gemma Galgani, faithful servant of God, I come to you seeking your intercession and guidance. Help me to live a life of deep faith and devotion, and to always put God first in all that I do.
Grant me the courage to persevere in the face of trials and difficulties, and the grace to respond to life’s challenges with trust and hope. Show me how to love God deeply and to always seek to serve others, just as you did.
I pray that you will be with me always, inspiring me and sustaining me in my faith journey, and helping me to reflect the love and light of Christ in all that I do. Amen.
Prayer for Healing and Strength in St. Gemma Galgani
Dear St. Gemma Galgani, you lived a life of deep suffering and sacrifice, and yet you remained steadfast in your faith and trust in God’s love and care for you. I come to you seeking your intercession and support, as I too face trials and difficulties in my own life.
Grant me the strength and courage to endure my own sufferings, and the grace to offer them up as a sacrifice to God, just as you did. Help me to trust in God’s plan for my life, and to find peace and healing in God’s loving embrace.
I pray that you will be with me always, guiding me and sustaining me as I face my challenges, and helping me to grow in faith and hope, no matter what life brings. Amen.
Prayer for Love and Compassion in St. Gemma Galgani
Dear St. Gemma Galgani, you lived a life of deep love and compassion, always seeking to serve and support those in need. Help me to follow in your footsteps and to embody the same love and compassion in my own life.
Grant me the grace to love others as you did, with a selfless and generous heart, and to always seek to do good and to bring joy to those around me.
I pray that you will be with me always, inspiring me and guiding me as I strive to live a life of love and compassion, and to bring your light and love to the world. Amen.
St. Gemma Galgani: The Patron Saint of Those Suffering from Illnesses and Physical Afflictions
St. Gemma Galgani is the patron saint of those suffering from illnesses and physical afflictions. She was a 19th century Italian mystic and stigmatist who is remembered for her deep devotion to God and her unwavering faith in the face of great suffering.
Throughout her life, St. Gemma faced numerous physical and emotional afflictions, including chronic illness, severe pain, and spiritual trials. Despite these challenges, she remained steadfast in her faith and her devotion to God, and her unwavering trust in His love and care.
Because of her strong faith and her ability to endure suffering with grace and hope, St. Gemma has become a symbol of encouragement and comfort for those who are facing similar struggles. Her life serves as a reminder that even in the midst of great hardship, it is possible to find strength and comfort in the love of God.
For those who are suffering from illnesses or physical afflictions, St. Gemma offers a source of inspiration and hope. She is a reminder that we are not alone in our struggles, and that the grace and love of God is always with us, even in our darkest moments.
Reflection on the feast day of St. Gemma Galgani
The feast day of St. Gemma Galgani is April 11th.
As we gather to celebrate the feast day of St. Gemma Galgani, we are reminded of the powerful impact this Italian mystic and stigmatist had on the Church in the late 19th century. Born in the city of Camigliano, Italy, St. Gemma Galgani is known for her deep devotion to God, her mystical experiences and her devotion to the Passion of Christ. She received the stigmata, the wounds of Christ, and had many mystical visions and experiences. She also had a deep devotion to the Eucharist and to the Virgin Mary.
St. Gemma Galgani’s life is a testament to the power of faith and devotion, she showed that one can have a deep personal relationship with God and that one can be transformed by the love of God. She was a mystic, a stigmatist, and a servant of God, but she never let her position or her talents go to her head. She always put her faith in God above all else, and her life was a reflection of the love of Christ.
As we reflect on the life and teachings of St. Gemma Galgani, we are reminded that faith and devotion are powerful tools in the quest for the truth. She teaches us that true devotion to God means to be in deep personal relationship with Him and to be transformed by his love. She encourages us to be bold in our convictions and to use our talents and abilities for the greater good. She reminds us of the importance of the Eucharist in the world.
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Also check out our handmade St. Gemma Galgani Medal and St. Gemma Galgani Rosary and St. Gemma Galgani Rosary Bracelet .