The Diary of Saint Gemma Galgani

by Gemma Galgani

The Diary of Saint Gemma Galgani by Saint Gemma Galgani (Illustrated):

— A Classic!
— Includes Illustrations by Giovanni Antonio Canal
— Includes an Active Index, Table of Contents and NCX Navigation

Publisher: A Paperback Edition is available:
ISBN-13: 978-1-78379-223-8

Gemma Galgani was an Italian mystic, venerated as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church since 1940. She has been called the "Daughter of Passion" because of her profound imitation of the Passion of Christ.

"Oh God, the moment of the assault has come; and it was strong, even terrible I would almost say. No sign of the cross, no scapular was enough to halt the most ugly temptation one could imagine; he was so horrifying that I closed my eyes and never opened them again until I was absolutely freed."

"My God, if I am without sin, I owe it only to you. You be thanked. What to say in those moments? To look for Jesus and not find him is a greater penance than the temptation itself. What I feel only Jesus knows, who watches secretly and is pleased. At a certain point when it seemed the temptation would take on more force, it came to mind to invoke the holy father of Jesus, and I shouted: "Eternal Father, for the blood of Jesus free me."

Publisher: Catholic Way Publishing

Genres: Catholic, Biography, Spirituality, Christianity, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir, Religion

47 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1900

About the author

Maria Gemma Umberta Pia Galgani was an Italian mystic, venerated as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church since 1940. She has been called the "Daughter of Passion" because of her profound imitation of the Passion of Christ.

Reviews

[Sasha Ruggiero · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish there were a hundred more volumes! The writings of Saint Gemma are so beautifully innocent and often comedic. She’s writing in all seriousness but often the interactions she has with her guardian Angel, Jesus, Mary and Brother Gabriel are quite funny to read. Especially since it seems as if her guardian Angel was quite the joker! Her voice is relatable in its youth and candor, yet is unlike any voice I’ve read from before. I feel privileged to have gotten to see Jesus, Mary and the Angels in such a different (but still familiar) light through her eyes.

[Renu Ruggiero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading about this Saint’s encounters with the good and evil described in such a realistic fashion gave me great joy and hope. I could really identify with her. Pity the book was so short. I would have loved to read more.

[Catarina]

Reading the diary of Saint Gemma Galgani was a quiet comfort.

“There is a school in Heaven, and there one has only to learn how to love.”
Many women in my family have dreamed of this school in Heaven. I like to think it might be true 🤍

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like I can’t give a one star rating because she is a saint. But this book was traumatizing.

[Jim Hahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly chilling account

[OSCAR · Rating 2 out of 5]

Por un gusto enfermizo, rayando en lo morboso, quise desde hace años leer alguna obra donde constarán las duras luchas espirituales de esta santa. Lo anterior por la curiosidad que generó en mi la lectura de los libros de Salvador Freixedo. Hay puentes entre la parapsicología, la religión y la ascesis.

Con ánimo de investigación leí este texto durante este día. Son los relatos de una muchacha afligida por la ausencia de sus dos amores: Jesús y María. La historia que narra parece edulcorada y a ratos chocante. Sus descansos y altibajos son tan constantes que ya resultan predecibles. Lo que rescato de este libro es la ingenuidad de quién lo escribió: parece diáfana y no oculta nada. Esto acerca más este diario espiritual a un libro para niños que a un verdadero examen psicológico de una persona, una real introspección. Al final uno siente lástima a causa del cuadro patético que uno logra colegir de lo escrito por Gemma Galgani.

[erenmeii · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find mystical encounters strange, but I am trying to understand them. St. Gemma’s diary sometimes confuses me because it lacks detail. She often says that she did horrible things, but she does not explain what her sins were. Saints are usually very sensitive to sin, however, and I wonder whether this reflects scrupulosity. I am reading her biography now, and I think it is better to read the biography before reading her diary.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful way to get to know Saint Gemma Galgani! Beautiful saint!

[Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Achei interessante!

[Tom Canuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one! Her recounting of her life, her immense humility, and her fascinating visions of Christ all make this a really interesting book. Would recommend to just about anyone. :)

[Amanda Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very inspiring but a little short, I guess I was expecting more details about her visions.

[Olivia Heysek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of her writings are sweet, but her scrupulous nature was hard for me to read and get through

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gemma writes.

It was a good read . Sometimes bland but it then will keep you wanting to read more.
It could be a little longer.

[Stephanie Phillips]

Quick read, small collection of diary entries of a fascinating Saint. Patron Saint of pan and back problems. I prefer to read first hand accounts of the Saints I study.