St. Gemma Galgani

Birth: March 12, 1878 – Camigliano, Italy

Death: April 11, 1903 – Lucca, Italy

Beatified: May 14, 1933 by Pope Pius XI

Canonized: May 2, 1940 by Pope Pius XII

Feast Day: May 16

Patronage: Students, pharmacists, those suffering from back pain, headaches or spiritual temptations

Line drawing of St. Gemma Galgani, wearing traditional Passionist attire and holding a Crucifix

Gemma was one of eight children born to a deeply religious family. She was known for her gentle nature, intelligence and intense love for Jesus even as a child. Though she longed to become a nun, her fragile health prevented her from entering a religious order. She was spiritually guided by the Passionists and had a deep devotion to the Passion of Christ and to St. Gabriel Possenti.

Gemma experienced mystical phenomena including the stigmata (wounds of Christ), visions of Jesus, Mary, and her guardian angel and episodes of spiritual ecstasy. She is often called the “Daughter of the Passion” because of how closely she identified with Christ’s suffering.