Holy Mother Church honors St. Gemma Galgani on April 11. Even from an early age, St. Gemma held a great love for our Lord and our Lady. She spent her life striving for heaven by practicing virtue, especially obedience, and mortification. Already at her First Communion she felt a great detachment from the world and a longing for Jesus. After receiving our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament she remarked, “I understood at that moment that the delights of heaven are not like those of the earth. I felt myself overcome by the desire to render that union with my God continual. I felt weary of the world more and more, and more disposed to recollection.” St. Gemma suffered much during her earthly life, even enduring the stigmata. She offered all to Jesus out of love for Him and to save her souls and the souls of others.
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“If you really want to love Jesus, first learn to suffer, because suffering teaches you to love.--St. Gemma”
Triduum of Prayers in Honor of St. Gemma Galgani to Obtain a Special Grace
Day 1:
Oh most merciful Lord, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to your servant, St. Gemma Galgani, whose intercession we are now imploring.
Most compassionate virgin St. Gemma, during thy short life on earth, you gave a most beautiful example of angelic innocence and seraphic love, and was found worthy to bear in thy flesh the marks of our Lord's Passion. Have pity on us who are so much in need of God's Mercy, and obtain for us through thy merits and intercession, the special favor which we now fervently implore (mention request).
***Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be. Pray for us, St. Gemma, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray: O God, Who fashioned thy servant St. 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
Day 2:
Oh most merciful Lord, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to your servant, St. Gemma Galgani, whose intercession we are now imploring.
O worthy Spouse of the Lamb of God and faithful virgin St. Gemma, you preserved the innocence and splendor of virginity, giving to the world a bright example of purity and the most exalted virtues, look down with pity from thy high place in heaven upon us who confide in thee, as we implore thee for the favor we so ardently desire (mention request).
***Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be. Pray for us, St. Gemma, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray: O God, Who fashioned thy servant St. 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
Day 3:
Oh most merciful Lord, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to your servant, St. Gemma Galgani, whose intercession we are now imploring.
O most loving virgin St. Gemma, with an intense love for Jesus you suffered immensely for the conversion of sinners as a victim for sin, and you loved others greatly, out of love for God. Do not forget us then, who remain here on earth, and look down with kindness on us who implore thee, in the confident hope of receiving this favor through thy loving intercession (mention request).
***Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be. Pray for us, St. Gemma, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray: O God, Who fashioned thy servant St. 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
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“Why did you suffer for me, dear Jesus? For love! The nails…the crown…the cross…all for the love of me! For You I sacrifice everything willingly. I offer You my body with all of its weakness, and my soul with all its love." --St. Gemma
God bless!
+JMJ+
