Also known as Gemma Galani, Virgin of Lucca

Memorial 11 April

Profile Daughter of a poor pharmacist; mother died when she was seven, her father when she was eighteen, and she took care of her seven brothers and sisters. Lifelong laywoman. Cured in her 20's of spinal tuberculosis by prayer to Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows. Rejected by the religious orders to which she applied as they would not believe her cure and were suspicious of the claims of a miracle. She became a Passionist tertiary. Stigmatist, receiving the wounds on her hands and feet each Thursday evening through Friday afternoon starting in June 1899 and continuing into 1901. Visionary; she saw her guardian angel daily, and visits from the devil who tempted her to spit on the cross and break a rosary. Her canonization faced stiff opposition by those who either disbelieved or wished to avoid attention to her visions and stigmata.

Born 12 March 1878 at Borgo Nuovo di Camigliano, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy

Died Holy Saturday, 11 April 1903 at Borgo Nuovo di Camigliano, Lucca, Italy of tuberculosis; relics interred in the Passionist monastery, Lucca

Venerated 29 November 1931

Beatified 14 May 1933 by Pope Pius XI

Canonized 2 May 1940 by Pope Pius XII

Patronage apothecaries, druggists, loss of parents ,pharmacists ,temptations

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