St. Gemma Galgani was born on this date in 1878 in Italy and died on April 11, 1903. This mystic is known as the Daughter of Passion… she began to experience the holy stigmata when she was twenty-one.
Gemma also suffered greatly physically during her time on earth, including tuberculosis, which eventually claimed her life, spinal meningitis, abcesses, and deafness. However, many who knew her were unaware of these challenges as she preferred to keep quiet about them.
St. Gemma Galgani said Jesus told her: “Do you desire to love me? Learn to suffer first. Suffering teaches one how to love.”
Some of us are prone to sharing every little ache and pain, every little disappointment, with the world. Just for today, try emulating St. Gemma and show love despite and through your suffering. Don’t be surprised if you feel better at the end of the day.
If you’d like a daily reminder to visit the site to read the reflection, you can sign up here. A short daily YouTube video also will be available, and you can subscribe for a reminder on that here.
