The Diary of Saint Gemma

by Gemma Galgani

From 1899 until her death in 1903, the young Italian woman St. Gemma Galgani physically experienced the wounds of Christ every Thursday evening. The stigmata would appear and bleed on her hands, feet, and side, stopping only on Friday afternoon and leaving white marks as a reminder. St. Gemma also experienced countless visions, raptures, ecstasies, and other mystical graces ― as well as intense temptations from the devil.

Here is the remarkable diary of this young saint, which her spiritual director ordered her to write. It will give you an enthralling glimpse into her numerous encounters with Jesus Crucified, with Our Lady, and with her guardian angel, whom she saw almost every day and would even send on errands, usually to deliver messages to her confessor in Rome.

You will witness St. Gemma’s courage in fulfilling even laborious duties while wearing the hidden crown of thorns, and you’ll learn what St. Gabriel Possenti, to whom she was especially devoted, taught her about the connection between bodily illness and spiritual healing. Moreover, St. Gemma will teach you:

*What to do when you are mocked, tormented, or experience powerful temptations
*How to overcome the hesitation to receive Holy Communion due to scrupulosity, dryness, and desolation
*The key to overcoming struggles in prayer
*How to remain faithful during periods of intense suffering
*How obedience will defeat the enemy and help you overcome sinful habits
*How your prayers and small sufferings relieve souls in Purgatory

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

160 pages, Paperback

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.