St. Gemma Galgani Novena

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St. Gemma Galgani was an Italian saint who lived in the 1800s-1900s. She was a mystic, and she had a special relationship with the Passion of Jesus. She imitated Jesus’ Passion in an intense way. 

St. Gemma Galgani is sometimes referred to as the “Daughter of the Passion” because of her relationship with Christ’s Passion. You can use this novena to seek intercession from this holy saint in your life!

About St. Gemma Galgani

St. Gemma Galgani was born in 1878 in a small town near Luca, Italy. She had seven siblings. Her father was a pharmacist. 

When Gemma was about two years old, her mother became ill with tuberculosis. Over the next few years, several of Gemma’s family members died, including her mother. 

Gemma attended a school run by the Sisters of St. Zita. She grew to love prayer and became known for her kindness. Before she completed her education, she had to leave school because of chronic health problems. 

In her late teen years, Gemma contracted meningitis. She sought the intercession of Venerable (now Saint) Gabriel Possenti, and she was miraculously cured.

Not long after she turned eighteen, her father died. She then became responsible for the care of her younger siblings.

Around this time, Gemma received two different marriage proposals. She refused them both, wishing instead for silence and more time for prayer.

Gemma longed to become a nun, but her poor health prevented her from pursuing this vocation. Throughout much of her life, she had mystical experiences. Those around her often misunderstood these occurrences. Gemma offered up the sufferings this caused her, uniting herself to Jesus in the ridicule He endured.

In 1899, Gemma received the stigmata on her hands, feet, and heart. Each week, the wounds would reappear on Thursday evening. They would remain on her body until late in the day Friday or early on Saturday.

As her health declined, Gemma’s confessor advised her to pray for the stigmata to disappear. The bleeding stopped and the wounds closed, but white marks on her skin remained. 

Gemma’s confessor helped her move to live with a different family, so that she could have more freedom for spiritual practices. Members of this family and her confessor often found her in a state of ecstasy. It is believed that she levitated at least once.

Gemma saw and conversed with her guardian angel frequently. She sometimes sent him on errands to deliver messages to her confessor.

Throughout her life, Gemma also had a deep love for the poor. She did all she could to assist them. 

Gemma also practiced many severe penances and sacrifices. She tried to do these in private, without others learning of them.

In 1903, Gemma contracted tuberculosis. She suffered greatly through Holy Week of 1903, dying on Holy Saturday. She died with a smile on her face. 

St. Gemma Galgani’s Feast Day: April 11th

Why Pray the St. Gemma Galgani Novena?

St. Gemma Galgani is the patron saint against tuberculosis. You can seek her prayers if you have been exposed to tuberculosis, so that you don’t contract the disease. You can also seek her prayers on behalf of someone else who has been exposed to tuberculosis.

St. Gemma Galgani is also the patron saint of students. You can ask for her prayers if you are a student, or for a student you know.

Additionally, St. Gemma Galgani is the patron saint of pharmacists. You can seek her intercession if you are a pharmacist. Or you can ask her to pray for a pharmacist you know.

You can pray the St. Gemma Galgani Novena for any intention!

St. Gemma Galgani Novena Prayers

St. Gemma Galgani Novena - Day 1

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Gemma Galgani as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You she showed by remaining faithful amidst many suffering from chronic health problems. 

St. Gemma Galgani, you suffered a lot from poor health throughout your life. As a small child, your chronic health problems were so severe that they prevented you from continuing your education in school. Despite these sufferings, you held fast to your Faith and your love for God.

Please bring my petitions before God Whom you loved so dearly!

You never allowed your sufferings to deter you from serving God. You persevered in seeking holiness throughout your life.

Pray for me, that I may never allow sufferings to deter me from serving God. Pray that I may be as faithful as you were, amidst all trials.

Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).

St. Gemma Galgani, pray for us!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

St. Gemma Galgani Novena - Day 2

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Gemma Galgani as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You she showed in her faithfulness amidst the turmoils of her early family life. 

St. Gemma Galgani, your mother contracted tuberculosis when you were just two years old. Within a few years, your mother and several other of your family members died. Despite how difficult this must have been for you, you held fast to your Faith.

Please bring my petitions before the throne of God!

When your father died near the end of your teen years, the care of your younger siblings became your responsibility. During these difficulties, you continued to remain faithful and serve God.

Pray for me, that I may do my best to serve God faithfully amidst all difficulties. Pray that I may never allow any trials to deter me from serving God.

Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).

St. Gemma Galgani, pray for us!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

St. Gemma Galgani Novena - Day 3

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Gemma Galgani as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue she showed in holding fast to her Faith amidst the sufferings of grief.

St. Gemma Galgani, you experienced the loss of several of your family members early on in your life. Even as you suffered the death of your mother, you continued to hold fast to your Faith and to serve God.

Please continue to bring my petitions before the throne of God!

When your father died in your late teen years, you became responsible for your younger siblings. Though you must have been suffering greatly from grief over his death, you persevered in virtue and in serving God worthily.

Pray for me, that I may persevere in my Faith amidst all sufferings, as you did. Pray that I may never falter in my desire to serve God, no matter what trials I might face.

Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).

St. Gemma Galgani, pray for us!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

St. Gemma Galgani Novena - Day 4

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Gemma Galgani as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You she showed in her desire to serve You as a nun.

St. Gemma Galgani, you were very devoted to God from a young age. As a young woman, you refused two marriage proposals because you longed for more silence and time for prayer. 

Please bring my petitions before God Whom you longed to serve!

You wished to become a nun, but your poor health prevented you from pursuing this vocation. Though this must have been difficult for you, you submitted yourself to God’s will and suffered joyfully.

Pray for me, that I may be open to whatever paths God calls me to in my life. Pray that I may endure all sufferings joyfully out of love for God.

Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).

St. Gemma Galgani, pray for us!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

St. Gemma Galgani Novena - Day 5

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Gemma Galgani as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue she showed in holding fast to her Faith and her devotional practices despite facing ridicule from those around her. 

St. Gemma Galgani, you received mystical experiences from God during a lot of your life. Those around you often misunderstood these occurrences and sometimes ridiculed you. Despite these sufferings, you persevered in your Faith.

Please persevere in bringing my petitions before God!

When you suffered from the misunderstanding of others, you did your best to unite these sufferings to Jesus in the ridicule He endured during His Passion.

Pray for me, that I may unite my own sufferings to Christ each day. Pray that I may never be discouraged from the practice of my Faith.

Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).

St. Gemma Galgani, pray for us!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

St. Gemma Galgani Novena - Day 6

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Gemma Galgani as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You she showed in her deep devotion to Your Holy Passion.

St. Gemma Galgani, you are often referred to as the “Daughter of the Passion” because of your special relationship with the Passion of Jesus. You imitated Jesus’ Passion in an intense way for a lot of your life.

Please bring my petitions before Christ Whose Passion you loved so dearly!

You suffered from many different trials throughout your life, and you even endured the wounds of Christ on your hands, feet, and heart. Throughout all these sufferings, you united your pain to Jesus.

Pray for me, that I may always strive to unite my sufferings to Christ. Pray that I may never become discouraged in my practice of the Faith, even if I face great sufferings.

Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).

St. Gemma Galgani, pray for us!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

St. Gemma Galgani Novena - Day 7

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Gemma Galgani as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue she showed in enduring her many sufferings with patience, for the love of You.

St. Gemma Galgani, you endured a lot of different sufferings throughout your life. You developed a deep devotion to the Passion of Christ so that you might offer your sufferings to Him patiently.

Please bring my petitions before God Whom you loved so devotedly!

Your many health problems brought you suffering for many years. Then, after years of offering these sufferings patiently to God, you were given the gift of Jesus’ stigmata.

Pray for me, that I may endure all my sufferings patiently out of love for God. Pray that I may be faithful to God no matter what trials I might face.

Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).

St. Gemma Galgani, pray for us!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

St. Gemma Galgani Novena - Day 8

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Gemma Galgani as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You she showed through her charity towards the poor throughout her life.

St. Gemma Galgani, you endured many sufferings and trials throughout your life. Despite these sufferings, you persevered in seeking ways to serve God with more devotion.

Please persevere in bringing my petitions before the throne of God!

You were known for having a deep love of the poor throughout your life. Even though you were burdened with a lot of responsibility and with many physical ailments, you did not cease in doing all you could to assist the poor around you out of love for God.

Pray for me, that I may be mindful of the poor around me, out of love for God. Pray that I may grow in my desire to serve God through acts of charity towards my poor brothers and sisters.

Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).

St. Gemma Galgani, pray for us!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

St. Gemma Galgani Novena - Day 9

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Gemma Galgani as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You she showed throughout the many holy works of her life.

St. Gemma Galgani, you were eager to serve God from a young age. You longed to devote your life to Him as a nun. When your poor health prevented this, you continued seeking ways to serve Him wholeheartedly.

Please bring my petitions before God Whom you served so wholeheartedly!

You spent your life devoted to serving God, despite many sufferings. You offered your sufferings to God and united yourself to Christ’s Passion.

Pray for me, that I may never waver in my desire to serve God and His Church. Pray that I may do all I can to unite my sufferings to Christ.

Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).

St. Gemma Galgani, pray for us!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.