Showing posts with label SaintGemmaGalgani. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SaintGemmaGalgani. Show all posts

Sunday, 3 September 2023

Prayer of the day A Prayer to St Gemma Galgani by Pope John Paul II

Prayer to St Gemma Galgani
By Pope John Paul II


O Father, we ask you to establish Your dwelling in those who love you with a heart pure and simple, that through the example and the intercession of St Gemma, we may live the pure Gospel and the mystery of a love crucified, to be the living image of your Son. He who lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. 
Amen.

St Gemma Galgani pray for us.

This prayer comes from:
Gemma Galgani Gem of Christ
CTS Great Saints
John Paul Kirkham
Catholic Truth Society
ISBN 9781860827105
eISBN 9781784693411
ASIN B072XNMQF3
CTS Booklet B738


I have been trying to pray this pray daily for over three years now. It is one of the prayers I  pray in the early evening. I have read it since I read the book that it comes from.

Books by and about Saint Gemma Galgani:
The Autobiography of Gemma Galgani: The Book the Devil Tried to Burn - Gemma Galgani
The Autobiography and Diary of St Gemma with Novena and Prayers in Honor of the Saint - Edited by Glenn Dallaire
Gemma Galgani Gem of Christ - John Paul Kirkham - CTS Great Saints
The Life of St. Gemma Galgani - Ven. Fr. Germanus Of St. Stanislaus
The Saint Gemma Galgani Collection - Saint Gemma Galgani
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Thursday, 16 April 2020

Novena to St Gemma Galgani - April 17th to 25th 2020

Novena to St Gemma Galgani

17th -25th April 2020

St Gemma, beloved handmaid of God, witness to light and daughter of the passion of Christ, intercede for the Church and for all souls in these times, that the light of Christ may shine out upon the world so the darkness may never overcome us.

Pray that the sacrifice of Jesus upon the Cross may be a safeguard for us and the means of our transformation in grace. Be our advocate and help in our daily trials and temptations and guide us along the path of holiness and peace to rejoice in the presence of God so that we too may make Him known through our lives.

Watch over and assist those serving in the ministry of deliverance and those they seek to help; be their champion and intercessor and assure them of your presence and prayers.

Remember most especially those who are far from God. Pray for them and their needs so they may come to know Christ and His love for them and that, one day, they too may delight in being children of God and seek to serve Him with all their hearts.

In particular, I ask that you may obtain from God the grace of ________________________.

Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be.
Saint Gemma, Pray for us.


 Note: Father John S. Hogan posted about Saint Gemma on her feast day, April 11th. The post reminded me of a book I had read and reviewed, Gemma Galgani Gem of Christ by John Paul Kirkham. Fr Hogan's posts about Gemma generated a lot of conversation and responses. Most were good, a few very anti-Catholic. So he decided to start this novena. Please join us in praying this noveva. 


 If you are interested a different Novena to Gemma is available here. Since I read the book about Saint Gemma I have been praying this prayer from Pope John Paul II:

 O Father, we ask you to establish Your dwelling in those who love you with a heart pure and simple, that through the example and the intercession of St Gemma, we may live the pure Gospel and the mystery of a love crucified, to be the living image of your Son. He who lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen.

St Gemma Galgani pray for us.

 And I encourage you to read more by and about this amazing saint. Father Hogan states:

 "Apart from mystical sufferings & physical ailments, St Gemma endured emotional trials. Her mother’s death in 1886 & most devastatingly, the death of her favourite brother Gino, a seminarian, in 1894, at the age of 18: Gemma fell seriously ill after that."

#NovenatoStGemma2020


 Some of the Gemma Galagani tweets that started this link 1, link2, link 3.

Books by and about Saint Gemma Galgani:
The Autobiography of Gemma Galgani: The Book the Devil Tried to Burn - Gemma Galgani
The Autobiography and Diary of St Gemma with Novena and Prayers in Honor of the Saint - Edited by Glenn Dallaire
Gemma Galgani Gem of Christ - John Paul Kirkham - CTS Great Saints
The Life of St. Gemma Galgani - Ven. Fr. Germanus Of St. Stanislaus
The Saint Gemma Galgani Collection - Saint Gemma Galgani
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Books by John S. Hogan:
Edmund Arrowsmith (Saints of the Isles)
A Book of Martyrs: Devotions to the Martyrs of England, Scotland and Wales
Devotions to St Thomas Becket
…

Books in the Living Fruitfully Series:
Self-Control - Fr John S. Hogan
Generosity - Fr John S. Hogan
…

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Monday, 2 March 2020

Gemma Galgani Gem of Christ - John Paul Kirkham - CTS Great Saints

Gemma Galgani Gem of Christ
CTS Great Saints
John Paul Kirkham
Catholic Truth Society
ISBN 9781860827105
eISBN 9781784693411
ASIN B072XNMQF3
CTS Booklet B738


 Over the last few years I have read over 100 books from the Catholic Truth society. This was the sixth in the Great Saints Series. I have also read many in the Biographies and also Saints of the Isles Series. And have loved almost all of them. Lately I have been focused more on this series and still have over a dozen in the series I want to read. But back to this specific volume. The description of this book is:

 “As war raged in 1940s Europe, Gemma Galgani, a young and beautiful Italian girl, was made a saint - the first to have lived in the 20th Century: she died in 1903. Born into the modern world, her life of goodness and suffering, together with her writings of the love of God, have left a role model of Christian living for many young people living in this secular age. She carried the five wounds of Christ and is considered by many a visionary and mystic.”

 And the chapters are:

 Striking Beauty
A Childhood of Crosses
Learning Love through Suffering
The Stigmata
Daughter of His Passion
Modesty and Disposition
One True Love
Humility and Mortification
Prayer Life
Guardian Angel
Demonic Assaults
Incorrupt Heart
Canonisation
Footsteps of St Gemma- Feast Day April 11th
Prayers with St Gemma

 I will be honest; I am not even sure I had encountered the name Gemma Galgani. But the photo on the cover, and description captured my attention and it jumped to the top of my reading list. The book was an eye opening read for me. My son has Neurofibromatosis and Scoliosis, reading about this Saint and her medical issues and some of the healings attributed to her has inspired me and challenged me to hope and pray for more. We are told in the final section of the book, Prayers with St Gemma:

 “St Gemma Galgani is the Patron Saint of Students, Pharmacists, those suffering from any spinal or back disorder, those suffering from tuberculosis, those who have lost parents and those struggling with temptations.”

 This section has one prayer written by the saint and 2 prayers for her intercession. I have already started praying the one for my son. About her canonization process we are told:

 “In October 1903 Pope Pius X authorised the foundation of a Passionist convent in the city of Lucca. In March 1905, when Fr Germanus had raised and secured the finance, the first Passionist Sisters moved in to establish the landmark monastery. It stands with its distinctive great green dome opposite Lucca’s eastern Porta Elisa where the Viale Cadorna meets the Via di Tiglio. In 1906 Cecilia’s daughter, Gemma’s best friend and acquired sister, Euphemia Giannini joined the new community and took the name Sister Gemma Magdalena.

 By this time numerous graces and favours were being reported due to the intercession of this new “Spiritual Daughter of St Paul of the Cross”. In response to requests for information Fr Germanus collated Gemma’s writings into volumes and wrote a bestselling and complete account of her life. This he published in 1908. A year later, with the help of Mgr Volpi he published more of Gemma’s correspondence and words transcribed by her family. This paved the way for the process of canonisation to be initiated and in 1910 Gemma was officially called for the first time a “Servant of God”.”

 And that she was canonized in 1940. This book was first published in 2011, and the eBook edition was released in 2017. It is a very moving and inspiring read. I already have plans to reread it with my son. And to track down and read some of her many writings. It is an excellent book in a great series. Another fantastic read from the Catholic Truth Society. 

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2020 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.

Books by and about Saint Gemma Galgani:
The Autobiography of Gemma Galgani: The Book the Devil Tried to Burn - Gemma Galgani
The Autobiography and Diary of St Gemma with Novena and Prayers in Honor of the Saint - Edited by Glenn Dallaire
Gemma Galgani Gem of Christ - John Paul Kirkham - CTS Great Saints
The Life of St. Gemma Galgani - Ven. Fr. Germanus Of St. Stanislaus
The Saint Gemma Galgani Collection - Saint Gemma Galgani
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Books by John Paul Kirkham:
A Simple Guide to the Catholic Faith
The Holy Souls
The Miraculous Infant of Prague

Books in the CTS Great Saints Series:
Antonio Rosmini - J.B. Midgley
Bernard of Clairvaux - J.B. Midgley
Benedict Patron of Europe - J.B. Midgley
Charles Borromeo - J.B. Midgley
Dominic - J.B. Midgley
Elizabeth of the Trinity The Great Carmelite Saint - Jennifer Moorcroft
Francis de Sales - J.B. Midgley
Gemma Galgani Gem of Christ John Paul Kirkham
George: Patron of England - J.B. Midgley
John Baptist de La Salle - J.B. Midgley
John of the Cross - Jennifer Moorcroft
John Vianney - J.B. Midgley
Martin de Porres - Glynn MacNiven-Johnston
Patrick Missionary to the Irish - Thomas O’Loughlin 












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Friday, 26 October 2018

Inspiration from the Saints Stories from the Lives of Catholic Holy Men and Women - Maolsheachlann Ó Ceallaigh

Inspiration from the Saints:
Stories from the Lives of Catholic Holy Men and Women
Maolsheachlann Ó Ceallaigh
Angelico Press
ISBN 9781621383369
ISBN 9781621383352
eISBN 9781621383376


First I must state this book was an excellent read. In fact, it was so good that I have now read it twice before attempting this review. Second, I do not really believe I can do the book justice, in a review. This book is unlike any other book I have read about saints. It is not a biography. It is not a highlight or keep features or a selection of saints. No, it is the examination of 17 topics through the eyes and lives of a wide range of saints. The short description of this book is:

“The tales told in Inspiration from the Saints cover a variety of themes in the lives of these holy men and women: their childhoods, inspirations, and deaths; their boldness and humility; their love of prayer, mortification, and the Eucharist; their urge to spread the Gospel; their family life; the impression they made upon others; and much more.”

This is a book I have already read twice and will likely re again and again. It is already in the pile beside my bed again. And I do not typically read physical books. The chapters in this book are:

Acknowledgements
Introduction
 1. Childhood
 2. Sinners
 3. Inspirations
 4. Boldness
 5. In Other People’s Eyes
 6. Mortification
 7. Marriage
 8. Family
 9. Chastity
10. Losers
11. Humility
12. Catechetics
13. Evangelization
14. The Eucharist
15. Prayer
16. Mirth
17. Death
18. Afterward
Appendix

And each chapter begins with a list of the saints that will be drawn upon in that section of the book. Here are a list if saints by chapter:

1. Childhood:  The visionaries of Fatima * St. Aloysius Gonzaga * Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich *St. John Berchmans * St. Miguel Pro * St. Elizabeth of the Trinity
2. Sinners: St. Paul of Tarsus * St. Augustine of Hippo * St. Philip Howard * St. Bernard of Corleone * Blessed Bartolo Longo * Blessed Charles de Foucauld
3. Inspirations: St. Augstine of Hippo * St. Anthony of Egypt * St. Josemaria Escriva * St. John of God * St. Raphaela Mary of the Sacred Heart * St. Mary of the Incarnation
4. Boldness: St. Josemaria Escriva * St. John Paul II * St. Theresa of Lisieux * St. Maximilian Kolbe
5. In Other People’s Eyes:  St. Charles of Mount Argus * St. Damian of Molokai * St. Bernadette of Lourdes * St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta * St. Gemma Galgani * Blessed John Sullivan S.J.
6. Mortification: St. Junipero Serra * St. Rose of Lima * St. Paul of Tarsus * St. Catherine Ricci * St. John Paul II * St. Josemaria Escriva * St. Mary of the Incarnation * St. John Berchmans * St. Jean Vianney * St. Francis Assisi
7. Marriage:  St. Louis and St. Marie Azalie Martin * Blessed Luigi Beltarme and Blessed Maria Quattrocchi * St. Elizabeth of Hungary * St. Jane Frances de Chantal * St. Joaquina of Spain * St. Elizabeth Ann Seton * St. Louis of France * St. Margart D’Youville * Blessed Paola Gambera-Costa
8. Family: St. Pappin of Ballymum * St. Benedict and St. Scholastica * St. Francis of Assisi * St. Thomas Aquinas * St. Rose of Lima * St. Germaine de Pibrac * Blessed Laura Vicuna * St. Thomas More
9. Chastity:  Blessed John Henry Newman * St. Aloysius Gonzaga * St. Elizabeth of the Trinity * St. Alphonsa of India * St. Maria de las Maravillas Pidal Chico de Guzman * St. Maria Goretti * Blessed Antonia Messina * St. Charles Lwanga * St. Bernard of Clairvaux * St. Frances Xzavier Cabrini * St. Padre Pio * Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati
10. Losers:  St. Joseph of Cupertino * St. Jean Vianney * St. Bernadette Soubirous * St. Charles of Mount Argus * Blessed Mariano da Roccacasale * St. Benedict Joseph Labre * Blessed Margaret of Castello * Blessed Solanus Casey
11. Humility:  St. Gemma Galgani * St. Clement Hofbauer * St. Maximilian Kolbe * St. Catherine Laboure * Blessed Miriam Teresa Demjanovich * St. John Berchmans * St. Raphaela Mary of the Sacred Heart * St. Nimatullah Hardini * St. Crispin of Viterbo * St. Peter of Alcantara * St. Francis of Borgia * St. Charles Borromeo
12. Catechetics:  St. Marcellin Champagnat * Blessed Josefa Naval Girbes * St. John Bosco * St. John Neumann * St. Louise de Marillac * Blessed Edmund Rice * Blessed Cesar de Bus * St. John Paul II * St. George Preca
13. Evangelization:  St. Louis Bertrand * St. Joseph Freinademetz * St. Jean Vianney * St. Rose of Lima * St. Paul of Tarsus * St. Philip Neri * Blessed John Henry Newman * Blessed Giacomo Alberione
14. The Eucharist:  Blessed John Henry Newman * St. Peter Julian Eymard * St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier * St. Rose of Lima * St. Alphonsus Liguori * St. John Berchmans * St. Pius X * St. Jean Baptiste de La Salle * St. Bernadette Soubirous * St. Gemma Galgani * Blessed Alexandrina Maria da Cost * St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
15. Prayer:  St. Therese of Lisieux * St. Josemaria Escriva * St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta * St. Peter of Alcantara * St. Jean Vianney * St. Elizabeth Ann Seton * St. Andre Besette * Blessed John Sullivan * St. Teresa of Avila * St. John Paul II * St. John XXIII * St. Padre Pio * St. Joseph Cottolengo * Blessed Ceferino Gimenez Malla
16. Mirth:  St. Philip Neri * St. Miguel Pro * St. Bernadette Soubirous * St. Teresa of Avila * Blessed John Henry Newman * St. John XXIII * St. Maria Mazzerrello
17. Death:  St. Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort * St. Louise de Marillac * St. Robert Southwell * St. Joseph Pignatelli * St. John Berchmans * St. Oliver Plunkett * St. Josemaria Escriva * St. Gemma Galgani * St. John Paul II * St. Elizabeth of the Trinity

Across the 17 chapters 147 saints are examined. Some I have a particular devotion to, some I was familiar with, and a few were completely new to me. Maolsheachlann made sure that he stuck with only recognized saints and blesseds. Even if you remove saints or blessed that appear more than once we have a list of 108. And some of the saints appear up to five times.

This book is written from a place of a great deal of research. But also, a deep devotion. It is an excellent read. There are only really two things that I think would make it even better. First, I would love to see an index in a future edition of the book. Based on the numbers above it would be great to be able quickly find sections about specific saints. Second inside the cover of the book there is an ISBN for an eBook edition, but at the writing of this review it is unpublished and no response from the publisher when I inquired about it. I know a few people I would give the eBook to as soon as it came available. But even with that being said this is an amazing read.

The afterword of this book states:

“Let us again contemplate the passage from the book of the Apocalypse with which I began this book, which is read from the altar on All Saints Day:

‘After this I had a vision of a great multitude,
which no one could count,
from every nation, race, people, and tongue.
They stood before the throne and before the Lamb,
wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.
They cried out in a loud voice;
“Salvation comes from our God,
who is seated on the throne,
and from the Lamb.’

The history of the Catholic Church is the greatest love story ever told. The saints were lovers, consumed by the love of Christ. They beckon us to emulate the love. “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).

“I have come to bring fire to the earth,” said Jesus. Such a fire burned in the hearts of saints, and in their lives, and in their words. My hope is that some of this fire emanates from the pages of this book, too.
Viva Cristo Rey! Long reign Jesus Christ the King!”

It should be noted that the appendix mentions a number of people whose cause has begun but do not yet have the title servant of God. And the majority of that appendix is dedicated to G.K. Chesterton.  One of the best books about saints I have read. It is a book I will give away frequently as gifts and reread again and again. An excellent read well worth pursuing.


 Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2018 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books by Maolsheachlann Tiernan Ó Ceallaigh:
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Poems by by Maolsheachlann Tiernan Ó Ceallaigh:
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