Saint Gemma Galgani receives the Stigmata

Gemma Galgani receives the Stigmata

Because she had been healed through the intercession of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, Gemma felt this was a sign she was called to be a Nun in the Convent of the Visitation. 

She was judged too fragile for convent life as a result of a debilitating illness.  No amount of tears and begging would dissuade the Mother Superior or the Archbishop who had given the order she not be accepted. 

Several days after she had been rejected, Jesus spoke to Gemma Galgani: “I am waiting for you on Calvary.” 

On June 8th, two weeks after her rejection, she had an inner thought: She was about to receive some very special grace! 

She went to her confessor to shed herself of any sins she might have, so that the Lord would have a spotless soul, ready to receive whatever blessing, He willed to give her. 

When Thursday came, Gemma began to think of all the sufferings, Jesus had endured for her. 

She became filled with such overwhelming remorse, she became rapt in ecstasy!  The Blessed Mother appeared, accompanied by Gemma’s Guardian Angel, and told her that Jesus had forgiven her sins. 

Then Mother Mary opened her mantle and placed it over her.  Jesus appeared and showed her His Wounds which were no longer bleeding.  Instead flames of fire leapt forth from them and pierced Gemma’s hands, feet and heart. 

She was in such excruciating pain, she thought she would collapse and die, were it not for Mother Mary supporting her and covering her with her mantle.  After she remained like this for hours, Mother Mary kissed her forehead and the vision vanished. 

Gemma Galgani had received the Stigmata, and now bore the five Wounds of Jesus! 

 She was in such agony, she needed the aid of her Guardian Angel to help her into bed.  The next day, she carefully bound and hid her bleeding hands and went to Mass.

From that time on, Gemma would receive the Stigmata, the five Wounds of Jesus, each week on Thursday evening, beginning at 8 P.M. 

They would continue bleeding until 3 P.M. Friday; then completely disappear that evening or early Saturday; by Sunday, freshly healed flesh would cover the wounds; the Stigmata was gone. 

The only visible signs left were white spots where the five open Wounds had been.  The following Thursday the bleeding  would begin again.

The last three years of her life, the ecstasies stopped. 

Her Spiritual Director forbid her to have them because of her weakened condition. 

Always working through the Saints’ obedience to their Superiors, the Lord no longer shared His Five Wounds with Gemma Galgani.

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