2 N.2 - LUCCA, MARCH-APRIL 2019 CONTENTS EDITORIAL 3 by Giovanni Panelli THE SCIENCE OF LOVE... 7 by Giuseppe Milani APRIL 11th, 1903 12 by Father Giovanni Zubiani c.p. PATIENT, COME FORTH! 18 by Fabiola Maria Bertinotti PAOLO STARTS... FROM GEMMA 22 On the cover: The Risen Christ by Editorial Office GEMMA’S 141st BIRTHDAY 24 Editor: Giovanni Panelli. by Editorial Office Managing Director: Mother Catherine Schuhmann c.p. EASTER TIME... 26 Contributors: by Giuseppe Milani Dr Paoluzi Angelo - Di Giovanni Fratel Gabriele - Giuseppe Milani - Giovanni Zubiani c.p. - Marco Catorcini c.p. - Fabiola M. Bertinotti - DEAR GEMMA 28 Passionist Nuns by Father Marco Catorcioni c.p. Adminsitration: -Sanctuary of Saint Gemma - Passionist Nuns - Outside Porta DATES AND EVENTS 29 Elisa - 55100 Lucca - Tel. /Fax (+39) 0583 48815 by Father Marco Catorcioni c.p Authorised by Lucca’s Court of Justice: n. 1 February 14th, 1948. IN YOUR HEART! 30 Printed by: Tipografia Menegazzo - Lucca. by Rosario Mellone Illustrations: Passionist Monastery Archive, Lucca - Fratelli Fabbri Editori, Milan - Casa San Paolo, Ovada (Alessandria) A MESSAGE FROM M. CATHERINE 32 - Rizzali editore, Milan - Editore: Periodici San Paolo, Alba (Cuneo) - De Agostini Editore, Novara - Edizioni Vaticane, Rome. MONASTERY-SANCTUARY OF Translations by: Maria Giulia Salvioni Pictures: Gino Bertini «SAINT GEMMA» Coordination and graphic design: Stefano Montagna Printed by: Tipografia Menegazzo - www.menegazzo.com Via delle Piastre, 38 - 55012 Guamo, Lucca Subscriptions: Contacts: [email protected] - (+39) 0583 48815 Lucca, March/April 2019 - Year LXXXVII - Postal Subscriptions. Minimum contribution to support - Art. 2 - Paragraph 20/c Law 662/96 - Abroad: Taxe Perçue. the magazine “St Gemma”: 20.00 euros. Benefactor contribution: from 50.00 euros. By post: Postal giro account n. 202556 IBAN code: IT94 Y076 0113 7000 000 0202 566 BIC code: BPPIITRRXXX Postal giro account payable to: Santa Gemma Galgani ed il Suo Santuario in Lucca - Passioniste - Via di Tiglio, 271 - Porta Elisa - 55100 Lucca

By bank: Basis Bank Account Number IBAN code: IT 36 Z 069 15137 00000050448580 BIC code: BMLUIT3L106 Banck3 account payable to: Monastero delle Passioniste di Lucca - Via di Tiglio, 271 - 55100 Lucca Bank: Banca del Monte di Lucca - Agenzia Sant’Anna 106 - Viale Puccini, 1174 - 55100 Lucca By GIOVANNI PANELLI, journalist

EDITORIAL ST GEMMA, AND THE VICISSITUDES OF HER SANCTUARY

n the common cemetery of Saint Anne, in if it were alive… and thirteen days had alrea- ILucca, where the corpse of Saint Gemma dy passed. Her heart looked larger than lon- had been interred, about thirteen days after ger, and her ribs looked elevated and rather her death exhumation was carried out in bended”. order to examine the body of the Saint for After the corpse was put back together and the first time. When Father Germano, who buried again, in 1909 there was another was not present at Gemma’s death nor at her investigation on Saint Gemma’s body, on the funeral, went to Lucca, he obtained permis- occasion of its relocation to another burial sion from the authorities to conduct an au- niche inside the cemetery, where Father topsy to see if her heart, which had burnt Germano, some months before his demise, with Jesus’ love during her life, carried some had a gravestone placed, the latter being extraordinary signs, as the one of other nowadays found in the Sanctuary of Saint did. During the post-mortem examination, Gemma, where her mortal remains lie, too. “…Gemma’s heart looked fresh, vigorous, During the first half of the 1920s, Gemma’s flexible, rubicund and filled with blood, as body was moved to the Community of the

3 , outside Porta Elisa, on the eastern convent… others thought the already existing part of Lucca, were a third investigation took parish would give the Saint more place. Here, the remains of her heart, together veneration… and then some said the parish with other relics, were placed in a crystal in which she had died should be privileged. heart reliquary, they were granted to the The same applied to the place that would Passionist Fathers and preserved at the Ge- work as their definitive see. Some of the neral Postulation of the Passionists, in Rome. nuns believed that it would be better to look As time went by, there was a considerable for a place inside the city centre… increase in the number of believers devoted Others believed they should buy an ancient to Saint Gemma coming to urban boarding school, San Lucca from many countries, Ponziano: it would be both to pay homage to her sufficient to expand it in and to invoke her inter- order to have it ready… cession. The need for Others, on the other hand, another church and another disliked the idea of leaving monastery was soon ma- the place in which they nifest. In fact, the chapel of were living at the time, the Passionists had been which had a huge piece of obtained by the conversion land, more than enough to of an old building dating construct buildings”. back from the second half The Archbishop, who was of the 18th century. The aware of this divergence of mortal rests of the then views among the nuns, Blessed Gemma were pla- asked the Passionist Mother ced in a crystal urn in one House to choose a nun. of the altars of an internal When the nuns of Lucca’s chapel, where the priest and monastery found out about the altar boy were the only this, they asked for Mother ones allowed. In order to Maddalena Marcucci, a receive the new Saint, the daughter of the House and construction of a worthy the right person to guide church and a sanctuary this Community. were mandatory. Mother Maddalena was Gemma herself, during one part of the first group of the of her ecstasies, had the vision of Christ Passionist Nuns of the Community in Lucca, talking to her about the new Monastery of the one Gemma Galgani had seen in vision. the Passionists to be founded in Lucca. She had left for Mexico with five sisters to There was nothing left to do but to proceed open a monastery; after about three years, to the realization of the work, yet the opinions she had to go back to Europe due to the of the nuns on how to proceed diverged and revolution, but she had stopped at Deusto, this created divisions among them, as the Bilbao, where she had founded the first Venerable Mother Maddalena Marcucci tells monastery of Passionist Nuns in . us in her writings. Mother Maddalena, whose cause of beatifi- “Some thought a Saint could not get the cation is now in progress, has met during veneration she deserved in a cloistered her spiritual journey Monsignor Giovanni

4 Volpi, Father Gemano, Lady Cecilia, who both the architect and the builder. As she introduced Gemma to the Giannini family, writes, for many times she had to climb the and Eufemia Giannini, one of the three dau- high scaffolds in order to check the measures ghters of Dr Giannini, for windows and do- druggist; Eufemia ors. They were busy took the veil under the days for her, filled name Gemma and with engagements; founded the Nuns of one need only think Saint Gemma. that Mother Mother Maddalena Maddalena had two or was called back by three assistants who the Congregation knew French, German when she was, inde- and Spanish, and who ed, in Spain, and this would help her to an- piece of news left her swer the voluminous with great astonish- correspondence that ment, as she herself arrived to the mona- gives testimony in her stery from the many writings: “I was believers all over the astonished that a world. cloistered community, The construction, al- an already established though with many one, with worthy difficulties, especially people, decided to ask economic ones, got to a Mother Superior, Lucca, fuori Porta Elisa: Chiesina delle Passioniste a point when it was although daughter of e urna di Santa Gemma necessary to demolish the very same community, who is in another the old building. The believers coming to country. invoke Gemma came from everywhere, so Were there no other nuns capable of such a that it was impossible to interrupt her cult task? I sensed the reasons why they called without creating inconveniences to people me since I was in Spain, when I received the filled with hope and coming from far away… invitation, and then I perfectly understood The various difficulties were eventually over- when they started to discuss come, and the day came when the matter. Blessed Saint Gemma had to The Archbishop, in fact, had “On the occasion come into possession of her built the plan of the Sanctuary of that solemn ceremony, Sanctuary, even though par- and monastery in the very the entire city tially; the anniversary of her place they were living, ha- had moved for Her” death, April 11th, 1937, was stening to start the project thus chosen. “All the civilian before the nuns were even and religious authorities of informed about it, or of how the work would the city and Province took part in the event”, proceed…”. Mother Gesualda writes in Gemma’s bio- With the arrival of the Mother in 1935, works graphy. “On the occasion of that solemn began, and for five years they were constantly ceremony, the entire city had moved for Her”. supervised by her, who directly talked to Everyone was busy trying to make the cele-

5 bration of their fellow citizen the humble, the poor, those more solemn; she was no who suffer and attempt to more the poor Gemma, as she imitate those virtues of which used to sign in her letters, but Gemma was, in those mo- the Blessed Gemma. ments, a remarkable example. Archbishop wanted the urn Some of the nuns who were with the mortal remains to be present thirty years before still carried into Lucca’s Cathe- remembered when Gemma dral, the Cathedral of Saint was in the common cemetery Martin, three days in advance, with the other dead people, in order to prepare people when the community was just with a triduum and to have a living its first years, flooded procession start from there to with poverty and far from take Gemma back to the “This community imagining what would hap- Sanctuary. As she went past, faces a great future; pen; these nuns thought about streets were decorated with very great, indeed...” Father Germano’s prophecy. arches of flowers that the By ripping off the mysterious municipal administration had ordered to erect veil of the future, he, almost transformed in her honour. Everyone, the sick and the and out of his mind, said: “This community healthy, was close round the borders of the faces a great future; very great, indeed…”, streets where the procession took place, and he pronounced these words with such a chants and bell rings echoed and awakened heavy emphasis. This future was then visible, in every heart feelings of hope, compassion, before everyone’s eyes, in its outstanding praising of God, the one who thus elevates achievement.

6 By GIUSEPPE MILANI

SPIRITUALITY PAGES THE SCIENCE OF LOVE

t is an overwhelming love Esmeraldas, a city of 154,000 Ithe one that binds our dear souls close to the border with Saint Gemma to the myriad of Colombia, and overlooking the pilgrims who, in a way or Pacific Ocean. The city of another, have had something Esmeraldas gives its name to to do with her. the province of the same name, This is because she is a parti- which is also called "green pro- cularly active Saint, and this vince", because it enjoys abun- is well known by the faithful dant vegetation all year round. scattered all over the world. In making this statement, and sup- I met Maykel on a day of our porting it, Maykel comes to sunny August, in the Sanctuary my mind, an Ecuadorian from of Saint Gemma, together with

7 seven other people all coming to release me from my tormen- spontaneous Saint in such a from Ecuador. ts, racked as I was by the many place? Father Marco and Father Gio- questions and uncertainties. My searching look was clearly vanni had called me to volun- I wondered how it was possible not the only one to navigate teer to hold visits in the house the dangerous waves of que- where Gemma received her “I wondered how it was stions and doubt. . A quick introduction Then, a woman in the group, possible for our dear Sa- in Spanish, patched together called Ashley, told me I should as best as I could, some words int Gemma to be known not be so surprized, since Gem- in English, and presentations even in such a distant ma was very popular in their were done. world…” country. We could set off for our target, And she was right in giving inside the city centre. for our dear Saint Gemma to answers to my wandering atti- While on our way, I tried to be known even in such a di- tude; in any case, I had already answer their questions on the stant world; in a country that had similar experiences, with city, which appeared in its the Equator cuts in half len- New Zealanders, for example, usual majesty inside the 16th gthwise, carrying warmth and not to mention Australians. century walls, on Gemma and colours of uncommon beauty. With them, I remember discus- on her wonderful story. I tried Who on Earth took the lumi- sing the fact that they came to to search those black, black nous offspring of such an in- Lucca from the remotest place eyes which looked curious into credible and yet simple, au- on Earth: I maintained that if mine, searching for something thentic, unrealistically we dug a hole in our city and

8 exited from the other side of road to the city centre and its world torn apart by the most the globe, we would arrive to outstanding beauties, I chose varied sins, sins of misunder- New Zealand and Australia. to walk on the city walls, and standing, egoism, violence; yet, However, the experience with sat on an iron bench to medi- God, in His magnificence, the Ecuadorians affected me tate. spreads along our journey Sa- deeply, maybe because it was I distinctly remember what J. ints who bloom here and there, unexpected; but I repeated to F. Villepelée used to say on lightened by the only sun ca- myself I had to be used to pable to warm: Grace. Gemma’s surprises, whose “… the features of a However, if we think about it, message of love has no limits. Saint always escape the Saints hide in the prayers of I remember spending two “carnal” looks, but it time and in those of history, hours of my time talking about shows up to the ones who bordering the dark alleys and Gemma’s story, and it was a look with the eyes of the places that life gives us. Hi- well-spent time, especially for heart.” story books talk about heroic me, since I was happy to see characters who tread the boards their interest and, once in the what concerns the features of of life, often by stepping on room of the stigmata, their ex- a Saint: he said that, as Charles what they found in their way. tremely intense praying. Péguy –illustrious French wri- But this is not the Saint’s case: I prayed with them in Spanish, ter, poet and essayist– would he or she knows other ways, following Ashley, who kept the put it, the features of a Saint brightened by transparency and rhythm with her hands joined. always escape the “carnal” loo- light. When we said goodbye we felt ks, but it shows up to the ones Saints, and Gemma, in speci- as if we had always been frien- who look with the eyes of the fic, do not lose the baptismal ds, and while they took the heart. We live, nowadays, in a innocence; they rather fortify

9 it, by drinking from the light become members of an im- Jesus also uses Saints for their of Christ. mense family and Jesus is our superb example of creatures There are no storms that can older brother. bearing the one and only Cha- wreck their ships, even during The love of God is not subject rity; he uses them to upset our the most dangerous tempests; to our temporal and spatial li- lives, so that he can draw us they –and Gemma is their mits; its arrows can hit us no closer to him and never leave master is this– cling to Christ’s matter where we are; they can us again. Let us face it: how cross, the wood of which rede- many times, just by looking at ems and sets us free, and is “There are no storms a simple picture, or at the short unsinkable. that can wreck their lines or moving prayer written Our life is made of encounters, ships, even during the on it, we feel rapt and fascina- and we know it well: how most dangerous ted by a presence we cannot many people cross our way? tempests; they cling to perceive, but which traps us Some do it daily, while we deal Christ’s cross…” forever? with ordinary business, so we Besides, with Gemma, our shake hands, we say hi, we cross the mountains, go beyond wishes of purity, sweetness and smile. the oceans and, of course, they peace can be really accom- However, some other encoun- do not take into consideration plished. ters happen in a different way, human frontiers; they can hit One cannot be indifferent to a in different senses, with no us during the apotheosis of an look like hers, which searches presentations or greetings, but indescribable joy, as well as our souls and exposes us to in a supernatural way –someti- when we withdraw into oursel- our faults. mes we do not even realize ves, maybe when, at nightfall, The Letter to the Hebrews (12, about them. the colours are fading, our heart 1), as Villepelée reminds us, Obviously, we cannot forget becomes smaller and smaller presents Saints like a golden that, through the Baptism, we before regrets and memories. cloud, the drops of which re-

10 flect the sunlight, which is the icons, and idealized them in the iron bench on Lucca’s city Lord, while the Revelation legends. walls, and I did not even realise (7,9) reminds us that Saints Truth is much simpler than it the Ecuadorian group was pas- were a great multitude, which might look: their clothes are sing by. no man could number, of all made of everyday life –melan- nations, and kindreds, and cholic, often–, but they hide “Hi, Saint Gemma”, Michael people, and tongues, stood be- under that fabric a fire that whispered in my ear in a per- fore the throne, and before the fect Italian, and hugged me Lamb, clothed with white ro- “A great multitude (…) tightly. And when his mouth bes, and palms in their hands. stood before the throne, drew closer to my right ear, he The Saint, and Gemma can be- and before the Lamb, added: “Gemma is here in ar witness of this, might be clothed with white robes, Lucca with you, but she is also dressed in a humble way, but and palms in their here, you know?”, and while his/her chest shines with the hands” saying this, he touched his he- brightness of Grace which art, and I nodded with satisfac- knows no darns, nor fashiona- tion. ble clothes, but which directs warms, a fascination that intri- He said goodbye, together with all its attention to the heart. gues, because that is where our his friends, and I followed Yet, if we think about it, art Lord is. them with my eyes until they has not been faithful in the Gemma’s message, dear rea- disappeared from my sight, just representation of the difference der, is the message of limitless like a dot on the horizon. between appearance and reali- love, a love that knows no road “Horizon?”, I wondered, ty. It has often enclosed Saints that does not converge in Jesus. “Distances have never been so in their halos, reduced them to I was lost in these thoughts, on close with Gemma…”.

11 By FATHER GIOVANNI ZUBIANI c.p.

THE REAL WITNESSES APRIL 11th 1903, THE DEATH OF SAINT GEMMA

ome months ago, my friend one of the most exclusive bo- monastic duties, and she started SAlessandro from Lucca arding schools in Florence, cal- a real period of spiritual gave me as a gift, together with led “La Quiete”, which was education through her personal other texts, the 1903 biography under the Montalve Sisters. study and writings. of Blessed Gemma Galgani, Once she came back home, in She kept in contact, both per- written by Sister Gesualda line with the style in vogue sonally and by letter, with a Maddalena Eletta dello Spirito among wealthy families, she considerable amount of promi- Santo (1879-1930). I was ama- improved her knowledge of nent secular and religious per- zed by that gift, since I was languages, music and painting. sonalities of her time. Among already acquainted with the While in her paternal house, others, besides her relatives classical biographies by Father she received several proposals and her school friends, Cardi- Germano, Zoffoli and the more of marriage, which, one after nal Mercier, Sister Agnes of modern ones. That biography the other, she refused, thus de- Lisieux, Saint Mary (Alessan- had been written by one of the claring her intentions towards dra di Rudinì) of Paray-le- most remarkable daughters of a consecrated life. Monial, Blessed James Albe- Lucca. After a careful reflexion, she rione and St Pio of Pietrelcina. entered the Carmelit Convent Moreover, her knowledge of Gesualda was born as Adelaide of Saint Mary of the Angels in the languages allowed her to Sardi in Lucca, on the 16th of 1902, where she was then na- be acquainted before anyone July 1879, from Count Cesare med Sister Gesualda Eletta del- else with the best texts on spi- Sardi and Clementina Martelli, lo Spirito Santo. There, she rituality published in France at of the Martelli family from was in charge of the archive of the time. This is how she came Florence. Lively and resource- Saint Maddalena de’ Pazzi, to- to the decision of translating ful, Adelaide was admitted to gether with other traditional into Italian Story of a Soul, by

12 Thérèse de Lisieux, which was reader, and communicate to the lifted a little, although she re- then followed by the Memories others.” sted in an uncomfortable posi- by Mother Germana of Jesus, ******* tion. She never asked for on Elizabeth of the Trinity, and We offer herby the very same anything (spontaneously, on by several other biographies; text by Sister Gesualda, rea- her own initiative) throughout among which, that of Gemma dapted; we are sure that, by the entire illness, not even a Galgani. sharing the feelings revealed mouthful of water –Mother by the text, the reader will be Gemma Giannini says. Sister Gesualda knew Gemma able to live over again the same Due to mistakes or misunder- by sight -she writes-, since she intensity of the three days that standings, it happened that she had ended up next to her seve- prepared Gemma for the em- was sometimes left alone at ral times, during the long waits brace with her crucified spouse night, the moment she would before Monsgnor Volpi’s con- in the eternal Easter of His have mostly needed help; but fessional. People told her that kingdom. she did not say a word, she did Gemma was a “little cold ******* not get upset, nor did she groan. chicken”, and she did not exci- On the evening of January In order to prevent this, the te her liking. Once, though, she 24th, 1903, for fear that the Sisters of St Camillo De Lellis was impressed by Gemma’s were called to look after her, smile. a community which Gemma When, years later, people asked “Let us pray, sister, had once thought of joining. her to write Gemma’s bio- let us pray. One of them tells that, at the graphy, she was reluctant, be- beginning, she heard Gemma cause “everything about her Let us not think crying out, in the midst of the disgusted me”. of anything but Jesus!” torment: “My dear Jesus, I can For twenty-five years, Sister bear this no more”; but, after Gesualda objected: “How being told that with Lord’s gra- could I write about someone I younger children of the Gian- ce everything is possible, she do not love and someone I do nini family could be infected stopped repeating this. On the not believe in?”. by her disease, Gemma aban- contrary, to those commenting: However, one day she addres- doned the house and was mo- “Poor soul, she can bear it no sed Gemma, and said: ““If you ved in the small flat her aunt more”, she answered: “I can”. want this homage from me, let was renting. Her pains were During those long nights, her me love you”. As if by magic, by now excruciating. Her sto- only comfort was praying: “Let my dislike for her vanished, it mach could bear no more food, us pray, sister, let us pray. Let turned into an overwhelming not even some liquid drops; us not think of anything but love, and this happened before vomit achingly shook her poor Jesus!”. And when she could I read her biography. I read it, body. Cough destroyed her not pray with her lips, she eventually, and since the very chest, taking her breath away. prayed with her heart, as she first pages, the sweet and he- Not even one part of her body had been taught to by roic figure of Gemma jumped was exempt from pain. Later Monsignor Volpi. “I do exactly out of it, beautiful, bright, saint on, sight failed her, and her what he told me to do”. […]. I contented myself with voice got weak, she struggled Besides the physical sufferings, writing these few pages, in to utter a word. Still, never did Gemma had to bear the moral which I wanted to put all my she ask for relief; never did sufferings, too, which were love, to make amends for my she look tired or grieved; never even worse. past incredulity; read from me, did she ask to be moved or The devil tried to drive her to

13 despair, by filling her mind tion and confusion, she wrote into something else…". with ghosts, so as to raise the story of her life, declaring Then it was the time of fearful anxiety, bitterness and fear in herself guilty of a thousand apparitions, of deafening noi- her heart. Her sorrowful life, hells, for having deceived, with ses. People in the house sprink- the misfortunes of her family, evil intent, her confessors, di- led holy water in the room; the agonizing hours, the priva- rectors and herself. Coming to then, for a moment, the distur- tions of every sort, all of this the details, she went through bances ceased, but only to be- was set before her, and a voice the Decalogue, the precepts of gin again later on, even worse filled wih irony and sarcasm the Church, the deadly sins, than before. seemed to repeat in her mind: the obligations of her , and When they offered her some “This is what you have recei- she declared herself terribly food, she saw it, under the de- ved from your hard work for guilty for everything. vil’s spell, strewn with filthy the Lord”. The very same voice This letter, before being sealed, insects, so that they were for- suggested to her the idea that was read by someone and sent, ced to take it out of her sight, God had abandoned her becau- at Gemma’s request, to a sain- leaving her hungry. se she had taken the wrong tly priest well known to her, She felt like horrible animals path, and only showed her de- and whom she begged to come of hideous shapes came into ception and hypocrisy in her and give her absolution for her her bed and crept over her bo- most heroic virtues, in the great sins. He came and reassured dy, she felt trapped in a ser- favours she had received. This her. The Devil tried to tempt pent’s coil choking her. She temptation was the most terri- her impatience, but in vain. He asked to be exorcised, but she ble and the most lasting. Gem- tried to tarnish her virginal pu- was not allowed to, so she did ma almost found herself op- rity, but in vain. This last temp- it by herself. Sometimes the pressed by it, so she thought tation was so painful that she Lord and his good Angel ru- she could try to contrast it with wrote these words to her spiri- shed at her aid, cheering her a general confession. She took tual director: “Father, this tor- up with words aiming not at a pen and, in the middle of that ment is more than I can bear. fear, but at increasing her hope: painful state of spiritual agita- Ask Jesus to change it for me “Resist, do not be defeated, if

14 temptation persists, then shall how you would rejoice!". Then Thursday morning, Gemma resistance persist as well, and she received the Viaticum, and thought to have seen a crown the fight will lead you to on the following day, she desi- of thorns, and said: “I shall go victory”. But these moments red to receive the Viaticum through all sorts of pains, be- of light were rare, and after again, fasting throughout the fore you are completed!”. And them, the fight got fiercer. night, the priest finding it dif- turning to the Sister she added, “Where are you, Jesus?”, she ficult to give it to her for two "What a day tomorrow will said after every fit, “Where are consecutive mornings. be!". It was almost the end of you? You know it, Jesus, you “She looked like a Saint”, a the tragedy. In fact, when on see my heart…”. wit- Friday morning around ten, And days, weeks, months went Signora Cecilia, feeling exhau- by like this. sted with fatigue and want “Learn, Eufemia, how of sleep, expressed her Jesus wants to be loved”, will to go home and Gemma told Eufemia take a little rest, Giannini one day, the Gemma said to her: latter being holding a "Do not leave me basin for her, who until I am nailed to was prey to a severe the cross. I must be cough. “Jesus, I am crucified with yours, body and Jesus! Jesus told soul. I accept every me that His chil- suffering, but I want dren must be cru- to be entirely yours”. cified." Being with Jesus Shortly after, was the only aim of Gemma entered her life. into a sheer ecstasy, But Jesus did not and she gradually abandon her belo- extended her arms ved. The special so that her body got graces with which the shape of a she got strength for cross, and she re- the last fight acted as mained like that a counterpoint for until half-past her sufferings. twelve, on that On Good Wedne- Friday. Her ex- sday God had pression reflected already been so kind sorrow and love, as to lift an edge of desolation and the veil which hid heaven from ness said, “seated on the bed calmness. She did not utter a her. When in ecstasy, a Sister with her hands joined, her eyes word, but her attitude sugge- asked her if the Lord had lowered, her face radiant and sted she was in agony with her comforted her, and she answe- her lips smiling, in spite of the sweet Lord. Everyone in the red: "Oh, Sister, if only you extreme pain she felt”. During room gazed upon the scene, could see the smallest particle the ecstatic meditation of the thinking they were about to of what Jesus has shown me, Holy Communion, on that witness her last breath. But her

15 agony went on for the rest of Monsignor had been told that was at dinner. "Gemma is the day, for the entire night and Gemma was expecting him, dying!" she exclaimed. The even on Saturday morning. and he had answered: “Tell her whole family, all except the She had said it: her crown of if it is for confession I will young, rose and hastened to thorns had to be completed come, but if it is to assist her see the dying girl. Signora Giu- with cruel sufferings. On that in her agony, it is impossible. stina lifted her, and put one of Saturday, she found some little There are the curates”. Those her arms behind the pillows, strength to answer in a low and days were, for an auxiliary so that Gemma’s head could weak voice to the prayers of Bishop like him, exceptionally rest on her shoulder. Eufemia, the Anointing of the sick cere- busy. When I told Gemma kneeleing before the bed, hold mony. Monsignor’s words –Signora Gemma’s right hand into hers, The priest who had anointed Giannini says– Gemma took pressing her head against it. her went away at once, and he the Crucified in her hands, Next to her, Signora Cecilia did not come back until her holding it opposite her eyes and the other members of the very last moments, to pray for and, while looking at it, she house filled the room. her soul. said: “You see, Jesus, I really Abbot Angeli, who prayed for The one who had given her the cannot bear this anymore; if her soul, looked at the present Viaticum did not show up people and asked: “Has she again, nor did the exceptional died?”. She really had died, confessor who she had called, “She kissed the Crucified, but nobody had realized it. and who confessed her quickly. she placed it on her heart “I attended to many sick Gemma wished Monsignor and, while keeping her people”, he said, “But never Volpi to come and perform the hands on it, she closed her have I witnessed a death like exorcisms of the last sacra- eyes, and remained still.” this, with no foreboding signs, ment, because she saw the De- no tear, no panting. She died vil in the form of a ferocious with a smile, and she remained black dog close to her; but, this is your will, then take me”. with that smile on her lips, and since the services took a long Then she glanced up towards I could not persuade myself time, he was not able to go the painting of Mary, hanging that she was dead”. until around midday. “I left”, on a wall, and added: “My said Signora Cecilia, “Gemma Mother, I entrust you with my Father Germano also missed said she wanted the exorcisms soul, tell Jesus to be merciful”. Gemma’s agony. When the end and Monsignor, after having She kissed the Crucified, she appeared imminent, Signora given her blessings, asked her: placed it on her heart and, whi- Cecilia told Gemma: “We must “Are you satisfied, now?”. le keeping her hands on it, she send a telegram to Father Gemma answered she was not, closed her eyes, and remained Germano”, but Gemma, and that she wished for the real still. When Monsignor arrived, knowing by an interior light exorcisms. "I must go to wish she opened her eyes told him that God wanted this sacrifice, the Archbishop a happy Ea- what we said before. When he too, did not mention it anymo- ster," replied Monsignor. "I left, she went back in the same re, and to those who asked will come back and see you position. about him, she answered, with later on." But he was not to see Signora Cecilia ran to call the a sweet smile that expressed her again, as Gemma passed parish priest, Abbot Angeli of her love: "I seek nothing more. away shortly”. the Canons Regular of the La- I sacrificed everything and eve- “I must confess”, says Signora teran, and then rushed to the ryone to God. Father Germano Cecilia “That on that morning Giannini’s, where the family will come after Easter."

16 Jesus had been celebrated in zing it, she passed away. knees to respect her body, Lucca’s churches during the They dressed her in black, put exclaimed: “Gemma! Here lies Holy Week: he had by now the necklace around her neck, a miserable sinner! Pray Jesus been taken off the cross, and the Passionist emblem on her for me!”. the Eucharist had been placed breast, a garland of flowers on On the -a day in the so called sepulchre. It her head; they joined her han- that is regularly part of Easter’s was the Holy Saturday, and a ds, in the position she took solemn vigil-at dawn, the complete silence reigned. And when she was in ecstasy; she brothers of the company called on that very day of peace, the did not look dead, just peace- “The Rose”, with their typical Lord chose to take off the cross fully asleep, or in the middle yellow sack, went out of the his loyal lover, too, and to in- of a love ecstasy. house where Gemma had pas- dissolubly bind her to him in sed away. The coffin was car- the glory of resurrection. A vast crowd gathered around ried by two of them and by two Therefore, on the Holy Satur- the body of that creature who members of the Giannini fami- day, her soul opened to receive had lived in darkness, ignored ly, who considered this last the Love that, in a moment, almost by everyone. The old homage as an honour to their would become eternal inside and the young, priests and angel Gemma. her, a nameless glory. laypeople, everyone came to kneel before her remains, invo- The city bells rang a joyous Gemma had asked Jesus to die king her holiness, asking for peal for Easter, while the An- with no human support, just her relics, kissing her hands, gels of Passion ad Resurrection like Him: “A priest and a Chri- pressing crowns and medals floated around the coffin, sin- stian will be enough”, she had against them. ging hosanna and hallelujah to said. Among the others, there was the woman who, having fol- The last verses of that poem the priest to whom Gemma, lowed our Lord to the Gathse- filled with love and pain ended when possessed by the devil, mane and to the Calvary, had in a great suffering and surren- had written the general confes- also deserved to join Him in dering. She silently bended her sion of what she considered to the triumph of His resurrection. head and, with nobody reali- be her sins; he, falling on his

17 By FABIOLA MARIA BERTINOTTI

LIFE EXPERIENCES

PATIENT, COME FORTH! Christian reading of the “Patient advocacy”, the great revolution in the world of science and people who live with a rare disease.

he crossroads and the ment of trauma and discoura- whether to live and be active Timpulse towards change gement, a strange reaction be- or to die and throw in the came manifest in our first-time- towel. However, before each What can reassure the heart of parent minds, actually, a totally problem, before each stone on an ill person and her/his fami- unexpected one. At the time, my way, the answer came na- ly? Where does the impulse now 13 years ago, for every turally, like water gushing out that throws your heart beyond bad news –and they poured in of a spring, out of a stone the wall of illness and makes one after the other– my heart behind which nobody sus- you feel better, no matter the felt pierced, no way out. At the pected a source could hide. difficulties, come from? I left first occasion, I cried all my you with the story of my family tears; then, after a while, some- Coming into action and how the three of us –my times in a day’s time or even son, my husband and I– reacted less, I felt my strengths retur- As a perfect ignorant about when our son, only two years ning, and I started anew, in rare diseases and about that after his adoption –so at the search for answers, solutions, specific disease, the faciosca- age of five– was diagnosed ways out. pulohumeral muscular dy- with a rare disease, a form of I felt like, finding myself at a strophy, I found myself, against dystrophy. After an initial mo- crossroads, I had to decide my will, coming into action to

Fabiola among the group of expert patients certified at Winter Course EURORDIS

18 get to know the experts perso- was a process of getting closer, son and myself. A path made nally: doctors, scientists, insti- becoming accomplices and of many slopes, many fallings, tutions, associations, speciali- more unite, a process which and many tears. zed centres, etc.; in short, the allowed a resilient force, which We needed so much patience! world which could positively we had never felt in our lives, So much perseverance! So affect my son’s health. I really to flow out of my husband, my many prayers! could not sit and wait, I had to know and un- The art of trusting derstand. In 2006, one year after the diagnosis, From that moment on, I had set my mind on we have never stopped. investigating, on ente- The journey is still ring in contact with going on. There still are people that counted in slopes, fallings, tears, the field of my son’s and there still are disease, on getting to be prayers, but also many known by them, and I good differences, in gave myself one year. comparison with that An ambitious goal, pioneering time which, maybe, considering I nowadays, feels so far was starting from away. First, and I am scratch. “On our way”, now talking exclusively as we say in Brianza, about myself, since I am the place in which I was entering a spiritual di- born, so I set out. Or, mension, I have become better, we set out, since, fully aware of the fact although the first effect that I am not alone. of the diagnosis was the Nobody ever is. Provi- shock, the second one dence has its own paths

19 and logics, which men and wo- you would give your own life. pected. I once confessed these men cannot understand, so it There are moments when, no pains to the then Mother Supe- hurts when we have to admit matter how much you struggle, rior of the Sanctuary of Saint we do not have the situation you never see the end of the Gemma and this woman, phy- under control. tunnel, not even a feeble light. sically weak but spiritually Here comes the best of it, but In those moments, prayers be- powerful, answered: “Fabiola, also the most difficult part. We come more intense, and we keep on working and keep on must learn to move like the knock, repeatedly, louder and knocking on Jesus’ doors: you blind. Senses that we had never louder. I have learnt that even must be the biggest pain in the experienced awaken, sensitivi- when you feel alone, He is the- neck to him!”. ty becomes manifest beside the ordinary We all are the main rationality. The ap- characters of a proach to life changes, cartoon both towards oursel- ves and towards our I have been telling all neighbours. It is a this with the aim of process. Everything making you under- happens by progres- stand that each and sive hues, not from every of us is the main one day to the next. character of a Then we realize we drawing, like a are “accompanied”. cartoon, or a docu- The Lord is with us, mentary. The Author He precedes us, He of Life sketched us, follows us, He chal- and we do not know lenges us. Sometimes what story he has in he shows up with si- store for us; what we gns, sometimes we know, if we decide to must trust that he is accept His will, is that there even though we we have a Father and cannot see him, even that this Father loves if we despair. That is us and looks after us, how we learn the art Fabiola and Melanie Bordes pose in front of gently asking to make of trusting. This is the the Center for Genetic Diseases in Paris choices, to decide if biggest challenge. To accept re, he forges you, he models we do want to cooperate on we do not have the situation you like an artisan with his His drawing. Every answer is under control and place our work. Stepping out of the legitimate. All of us are pieces trust in Him. comfort zone to explore the of work. My story can resem- unexpected, disease, uncertain- ble other stories, but it will The biggest pain in the neck ty, and dependence is never never be the same story. There something we wish to do. Yet, are no right or wrong choices. Nobody ever wants to drink in doing it, we find paths that Everyone has its own. So let from the bitter cup of sickness, we had never imagined, we me conclude by telling you or impotence before the diffi- land in harbours of our being what my choice has been when culties of a dear one for whom that are totally new and unex- facing the mystery that Provi-

20 dence set before me by means is the CRISPR/Cas9, the The reason why the European of my son’s disease. innovative technology through Community realized patients which we can “cut” the genetic had to be advanced to the status Patient Advocacy: active pa- code exactly where it needs to of co-stars of a medical- tients for everyone’s sake be modified, and which promo- scientific process, especially tes a correct genetic expression, for what concerns research for I am writing to you today, in which means, it eliminates the new drugs, is that “no expert March 2019. I have just fi- flaws. is more expert than the patient nished the second qualifying Science is making great pro- herself/himself”. course EURORDIS that the gress. The result is not a cer- During the years, excluding European Community funds tainty, yet, but the way is pa- the patient, or diminishing in order to educate patients and ved. her/his importance, has led the make them experts in the so You will be wandering why European Community and its called Patient organisation in this Advocacy. The first field -the EMA, course -which I fi- European Medici- nished in June nes Agency- to ob- 2018- aimed at the serve that conside- preparation of pa- rable fortunes were tients (or of their invested in scientific close relatives) who research in condi- live with rare dise- tions that were not ases, focusing on optimal, and that the subject of how was because the scientific experi- patient was an out- mentation that sider, a player who brings to the deve- benched and… was lopment of new just patient! drugs work, and Whereas nowadays, what are the natio- people like me or nal and the Euro- like many other pean central bodies Fabiola and her husband Maurizio with Jaya in Lourdes mates coming from in charge of con- many European trolling this process in the in- patients, being ill people who, countries, have the ability to terest of public health. The se- by definition, have a passive acquire knowledge, to study, cond course, on the other hand, role and “have patience” are to be selected and certified and, allowed me to obtain a certifi- now to become expert patients eventually, to say: “Here I am! cation of expert patient in the and to help their own selves, I am here to find a new drug field of genetics and that of the the other patients and, conse- or to improve an existing one, new technologies that nowa- quently, their families. In a to improve a new technology days underpin the development word: their neighbours. for the community of people of new therapies. An example Patient Advocacy is a term that who share my problem”. is the gene therapy, which uses means protection, defence, viruses to diffuse compounds support, which is, actions that Monza, Saturday, March 23rd, that modify the expression of us patients can carry out for 2019 a defective gene; another one ourselves and for other people.

21 By the Editorial Staff

OUR DIOCESE

PAOLO STARTS... FROM GEMMA

t is a date that we must keep rator of Cardinal Gualtiero accident. Iin mind: May 12th, 2019, Bassetti, president of the CEI The image of the good she- Good Shepherd's Sunday. (Conferenza Episcopale Italia- pherd is a symbol that the Bible On this day the pastoral service na – Italian Episcopal Confe- bears in many of its Scriptures. of the new archbishop of rence) and guide of the regional The application of this symbol Lucca, Paolo Giulietti, begins. capital of Umbria. The fact that to the Lord is evident, and in His Excellency Monsignor Pa- the Letter to the Hebrews, it is The press has already outlined olo Giulietti chose Good She- expressed very clearly. his essential features. He co- pherd’s Sunday as the starting Hebrews 13, 21-22 mes from Perugia, where he is day of his pastoral service into 20 Now the God of peace, that auxiliary bishop and collabo- the Diocese, is certainly no brought again from the dead

22 our Lord Jesus, that great she- in a memorable page of The cause, on the very 12 May, pherd of the sheep, through the Betrothed, referring to the before entering Lucca, the ar- blood of the everlasting cove- newly converted Unnamed: chbishop will stop in the house nant, 21 Make you perfect in “We will leave the ninety and of Saint Gemma; that’s becau- every good work to do his will, nine sheep… they are in safety se the new bishop will arrive working in you that which is on the mountain. I must now in Lucca on pilgrimage with wellpleasing in his sight, throu- remain with the one which was young people, passing by the gh Jesus Christ; to whom be lost”. Surely Archbishop Paolo Via Francigena, a road long 7 glory for ever and ever. Amen. Giulietti will be equal to be kilometres by foot, starting I perfectly remember this pa- that good shepherd of whom from Capannori, the meeting storal image being my favou- the Bible speaks. place for the departure at 2:00 rite psalm, the 23rd, out of whi- The first pieces of information p.m., up to Lucca, with a stop ch a famous religious song at Saint Gemma’s Sanc- was then made; the song tuary for a brief moment says: “The Lord is my of prayer; from here he shepherd; I shall not will resume the path to the want… he leadeth me in Cathedral of Saint Martin. the paths of right- eousness… thy rod and thy We are very grateful to the staff they comfort me… new Archbishop Paolo Yea, though I walk through Giulietti for having chosen the valley of the shadow of our Sanctuary, where the death…”. remains of an incredible This, in a way, is the Saint like Gemma Galgani "command " interpretation rest. She wanted to be the of the shepherd, but it is bride of the Crucified always associated to the Jesus, for the conversion one of the "travel compa- of all sinners, and she had nion" who "does not make a direct relationship with me fear no evil because him. you are with me". The We are sure that, before shepherd is not the one resuming his journey to who first refreshes himself Lucca, Archbishop Giu- but, together with his flock, lietti will stop to pray, he uses the fruits of the oasis describe the new young arch- kneeling before the body of and, on the contrary, wisely bishop (he just turned 55 years the Saint. Dear Saint Gemma, makes provisions and gathers old) as a bishop "wearing his we earnestly ask you to inspire flasks for the long periods of shorts", considering his passion Paolo to be that "good she- transhumance and poverty. for pilgrimages on foot: this is pherd" who John, in Chapter The good shepherd is the one how he had presented himself 10, describes as one who who lives for his flock, unlike to a General Audience by Pope knows and loves his flock. the mercenary who, when dan- Francis, completely dressed as If you have called him to you, ger arises, only tries to save a scout, with the inevitable before the beginning of his himself. No. Not the Shepherd. shorts, blue shirt and handker- service, perfuse him with the As the character Cardinal Fe- chief. On this point, our Sanc- love you have given and rece- derigo Borromeo reminds us tuary has reason to rejoice be- ived from our wonderful Jesus.

23 By the Editorial Staff

Dates and events at the Sanctuary

GEMMA’S 141st BIRTHDAY

ast March, on the 12th, the was a broad participation of would take advantage of the L141st anniversary from children, mothers, fathers and occasion to reconcile with the Saint Gemma Galgani’s birth grandparents, who did not miss Lord, Father Marco was busy was celebrated. this event, which, by now, is for the organization and the considered as important and is celebration of over 250 chil- As you might know, dear and marked on the calendar. dren and about 500 adults. affectionate reader, on the very While Father Giovanni, as He was very skilled in catching same day we also celebrate usual, opened the doors of his their attention by distributing children. This year, too, there confessional to those who

24 little hearts and by explaining God is love, to quote the apo- indeed, by now a tradition, the to them that the most important stle John. end of which took place in the thing in the world comes from Then it was the turn of a “Sala del Pellegrino” (Room those very hearts, and that is mother, then that of a father, of the Pilgrim), with a tasty love. then that of a grandmother and buffet. It is a right thing that As he always does, he took a a teacher: in turns, they went images, more than words, shall simple but precise, synthetic to the ambo to read passages speak, and we hope, dear rea- path to get to explain, even from the Scriptures. der, to see you next year among through Gemma’s words, that A very pleasant celebration, those present.

25 By GIUSEPPE MILANI

SPIRITUALITY PAGES EASTER TIME...

t is a memory that I still Easter, the Resurrection Sun- ba, Father. The Spirit itself Ipreserve in the casket of my day of our Lord Jesus Christ, beareth witness with our spirit, heart, that of the two most is the most important between that we are the children of God. important celebrations of Chri- the two events. The real And if children, then heirs; stianity: Christmas and Easter. apotheosis, our hope, our faith, heirs of God, and joint-heirs As a very young kid, I liked lies in there, as it is made clear with Christ. (Romans 8, 11.14- Christmas the most, with its in a most wonderful work, Ro- 17) magical time: snow, maybe, mans. But if the Spirit of him Each and every of us remem- and the fairy-tale landscape; that raised up Jesus from the ber, from the first Sunday the night falling all school classes, the of a sudden in the angel who, in the middle of the after- empty sepulchre, noon, leaving a coat waited about, among of mystery; the in- the bendages that termittent flashlights were once tied of Christmas trees, around Christ, the projecting incredible bendages of the wo- views. And the na- men who, early in the tivity scene, with the morning, the day asymmetrical but after Saturday, had incredibly meanin- come to the sepul- gful faces of the little chre with the spices. shepherds, the flock Carved in stones, but of sheep, the cave, even more in our nestled in the rock and moss; dead dwell in you, he that rai- minds, those words still echo: in the distance, Herod’s sed up Christ from the dead gloomy castle, which gave you shall also quicken your mortal HE IS NOT HERE, FOR HE gooseflesh… bodies by his Spirit that dwel- IS RISEN. These are slides from a past leth in you. For as many as are A sentence which will be repe- time, a time that is nowadays led by the Spirit of God, they ated century after century, and being lived by other children, are the sons of God. For ye which will be the emblem of who are loaded with an atmo- have not received the spirit of the whole evangelical message, sphere –even climatic– which bondage again to fear; but ye of theology, of art. Jesus Christ, makes them dream. have received the Spirit of real God and real man, who It takes time to understand that adoption, whereby we cry, Ab- assimilated human condition

26 until the last terrible proof, the shadow of death and from HANDLE ME, AND SEE; death, but who, son of God, is the ice-cold sepulchre, rises to FOR A SPIRIT HATH NOT risen, bearing witness of his his feet, rises to heaven. FLESH AND BONES, AS condition, that of our Lord, Jesus’ story is paved with YE SEE ME HAVE. who came come to redeem us people who described him first Thus, dear reader, Easter is a all. The Italian term for Easter, as a hero, then as a great festivity; or better still, the fe- Pasqua, comes from the He- prophet or whatever. Nothing stivity of festivities. It is an brew pesah, a term referred to more wrong: he is not a hero event that goes beyond history, a Jewish fesivity. It reminds us who dies, in the end, but, as a although it took place in hi- of the ritual of the veal, roasted famous religious song says, he story; an event that goes without having its bones bro- is beyond the limits of space and ken; the blood time. over the nomad Jesus rose to set camping tents; the us free from evil: unleavened brea- we must look ds; all famous ri- upon him if we tuals in the cere- want eternal life, monies of too. Actually, transhumance talking about re- shepherds. In surrection, in ad- Israel, Easter is dition to the two the celebration of verbs we talked the liberation about before, from oppression. eghéirein and In the New Te- anistemi, there is stament, Easter a third one, rather and resurrection meaningful, to be are made explicit properly learned through the use of as well. This verb two verbs, which is hypsoùn, which is better to know means “to lift up”. and adopt. The Do you remem- first is eghéirein, ber? Jesus said which means “to awaken”. De- THE LIVING GOD that: “When I am lifted up from ath is seen as a sort of sleep, That’s right, because, after his the earth, I will draw everyone while life is seen as a state of death, he is still present in hi- to myself”. wakefulness. In the Greek tra- story and, in the guise of a This is basically what we also dition, the word used by the mangled body, he allows the have to do, to lift up, to rise angel with the astonished wo- incredulous apostles to touch above human miseries, above men is meaningful: eghérte= him, in particular Thomas the our pure selfishness, above our he is risen. The other Greek sceptic; he meets his followers mostly wretched deficiencies, verb still gives us, figuratively, on a magic night, on the Road in order to fill ourselves with the precise idea of “rising to to Emmaus. Before the natural him. Still, today is a great ce- one’s feet”, and it is anistemi. astonishment and fear of his lebration, as we were saying; It is a verb which reveals the disciples, Jesus is at pains to life, this life, does not stop power of our Lord who, from tell them. here…

27 By FATHER MARCO CATORCIONI c.p.

Dear Saint Gemma

TESTIMONIES AND PRAYERS FROM THE PILGRIMS VISITING THE SANCYUARY

Gemma, my friend, how many Saint Gemma, my dear sister, I would like to give my testi- times have you comforted me, for a long time I have not been mony: I have been devoted to relieved me, cheered me up? I able to listen to your words, Saint Gemma since my chil- feel your love… I did not know but one day you appeared in dhood because my maternal you, yet you called me and I my dreams. I was surrounded grandfather, who was born in found that I was loved, you by flames and you, bright and Chile, was also devoted to her. know everything about me. I beautiful, prayed with me, and My mother was named Gem- think about you every day, and after five Ave Marias, you took ma. I have lived in for I thank you for your protection. me away from the darkness. five years, and I was born in Talk with Jesus about me and From that day on, my life has Venezuela. I had two pregnan- protect my children. Thank changed… I have changed. I cies in Italy and, when my chi- you, Gemma. I love you. have learned to pray with you ldren were born, I went to Antonietta and every day I pray the good Lucca to give thanks to Saint Lord to protect my family, the Gemma. I am now living in sick and all the people who do England and three years ago I The Passionist Nuns introduced not believe, so that they will gave birth to a girl who, at the me to Saint Gemma… I was be able to find in yourself and time of her birth, suffered from given her diary, the book of her in the Lord the path to salva- meningitis. I fervently prayed short but intense life. The more tion. Saint Gemma. She spent three I read it, the more I understood Salvo, Agata e Valentina days in intensive care; we bap- that I had never been a good tized her because we did not Christian, that I had never done know what would happen. anything for Jesus… and one The priest who baptized her can only think that, in her holi- saw the image of Saint Gemma ness, Gemma felt as the worst that I had placed on her incu- of sinner, even though she did bator, recognized her and told not allow sin to come close to me that Saint Gemma was the her… she was always careful Saint of hospitalized children and always praying. She had a (I did not know this). The fol- direct contact with the Lord, lowing day my daughter was who also gave her the discharged from therapy. To- stigmata… That is why she was day, Martina Gemma is three much hated by the devil! Dear years old. Two years ago, we Saint Gemma, I wish all the went to Lucca with her and we Christians were like you! took her to the Sanctuary. Pina Anonymous

28 By FATHER MARCO CATORCIONI c.p.

Dates and events at the Sanctuary

Passionist cenacle with Saint On the 3rd Wednesday of every Gemma Galgani month, the prayer group “Volto Santo” from On the first Thursday of every Lucca meets at the Sanctuary month, at 9:00 p.m., we meet at 4:00 p.m., to pray the holy at the Sanctuary before the rosary and for the Eucharistic Corpus Christi, and we take Celebration. our requests and pleas to the altar. We alternate silence, chants, simple symbolic gestu- Useless Servants group res; that is how we adore our They meet on the last Monday Lord, praise him, and invoke of every month, at 9:00 p.m., the Holy Spirit on those pre- for Eucharistic Adoration. sent. Day of Saint Gemma’s death Memory of the gift of the stig- Sanctuary, and it will include On April 11th, we remember mata rosary and Mass. Saint Gemma’s birth in heaven during the Eucharistic Celebra- On the 8th of every month (or tions at 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on the following Monday, if Praying with and for families the 8th corresponds to a Satur- Moments of prayer and medi- day or Sunday), we remember tation open to everyone, with in a special way Saint Gem- a special treatment for families ma’s gift of the stigmata, which with children, for which a she received on the 8th of June service of babysitting is avai- 1899: the house of the stigmata lable during the meetings. will be open for visiting and At the end of each encounter, praying. At 6.30 p.m., the we dine together with a “bring Novena and Saint Gemma’s ce- “Memory of the gift of the and share” meal. lebration stigmata” will take place in the The theme of these encounters From May 7th May 16th, we is “Master, teach us how to celebrate the novena in our pray”. You can find the timeta- Sanctuary, in preparation for ble of the encounters below: Saint Gemma’s celebration: 3rd encounter: Saturday, Mar- every evening there is a rosary ch 30th, 2019, 7:00 p.m. praying at 4.45 p.m. and a Holy 4th encounter: Saturday, May Mass at 5:30 p.m., livened up 18th, 2019, 7:00 p.m. by Lucca’s parishes. 5th encounter: Saturday, June 15th, 2019, 7:00 p.m. The Saint’s Celebration is on Padre Pio prayer group “Volto May 17th. Masses at 8:00 a.m., Santo” 10:30 a.m., 5:30 p.m.

29 By ROSARIO MELLONE

Dates and events at the Sanctuary

IN YOUR HEART! Gemma’s words turn into music

ucca, city centre. Santa world, maybe there was so- mind for days… The children LMaria della Rosa Church. mething I could do to help her. were watching TV in the living A painting of the Merciful I am not a musician, nor do I room and I closed the kitchen’s Jesus that I stared at for several know a lot of music, but God door. In 10 minutes, the music minutes, because of a writing gave me the ability to turn into and the melody of the song Nel next to it: “Jesus, I would like music thoughts and feelings tuo cuore (In your heart), whi- my voice to get to the limits of that rise from experiences and ch would also give the title to the world, I would call all the relationships with the Lord and the CD that our Lord gave us, sinners and I would tell them those who live next to me… were born. On that very night, to enter your heart!”. I did not That is how the first song in- I recorded the newborn song know that this sentence would spired by the writings and life with my mobile phone and sent become like a worm in my of Gemma Galgani was born. it to David, a close friend of head and in my heart, until the I still remember that night: I mine, who I had met (and now day it became a song. was at home with my kids; I I can tell it was not by chance) If Gemma had wished her voi- took my guitar because those thanks to Saint Gemma. A mu- ce to get to the limits of the words had been echoing in my tual musical understanding was

30 born straight away between people the story of each track. David and I… maybe because It was a powerful emotion. he is a real musician, a violinist Our prayer was, since the very of distinction. beginning, that of being just I sent him a message, asking humble tools in the hands of his opinion on the song, and God, tools that could allow asking if he could “frame” it Saint Gemma to fulfil her dre- with the music of his violin. I am; her voice will undoubtedly also wanted to know his wife’s get to the limits of the world opinion, Floriana, an excellent in the form of music and wor- soprano, who could lend her ds, and the Monastery will be voice to Gemma. The result? whole community of Saint able to benefit from the earnin- The chant was ready in a few Gemma’s followers, not only gs of the CDs’ sales (for our- days and it was sang in the those from Lucca? After all, selves, we only ask prayers to Sanctuary during the Euchari- this was Gemma’s wish: that the nuns). stic Celebration. What an emo- her voice got to the limits of With this service, we wish to tion!!! the world! be a tool in God’s hands to help This was only the beginning Enthusiasm was, from the very Gemma fulfil her dream. With of our journey. beginning, the major engine of our music and our voices, we New inspirations came little this adventure. There were wish to help people pray and by little, which turned Gem- many things to do, and we had praise, enjoying Saint Gemma ma’s words and life into songs. no experience in the field: we Galgani’s spirituality and her With time, more and more had to deal with the SIAE (So- limitless love for the Lord. people showed their taste for cietà Italiana Autori ed Editori With our hearts filled with the “Gemma’s chants”. Many - Italian Authors and Publishers hope that Gemma’s voice will people told us they could pray Association), we had to find a get to the limits of the world, in more intimate terms, thanks sound studio, improve the we thank God for having gran- to them, someone even asked tracks, record them and release ted us the privilege of playing if they could record them… the CD. and singing for Him, and we Why not do it ourselves? Why We did it, eventually. We pre- wish everyone a journey of not record our chants and put sented the CD at the Sanctuary holiness with Jesus, Mary and them at the disposal of the on a Saturday evening, and told Gemma.

31 A Message from Un Messaggio da Mother Catherine Marie Madre Catherine Marie

Cari amici di Santa Gemma, Dear Friends of St. Gemma,

Auguri per una Settimana Santa e una Pasqua Greetings for a blessed Holy Week and Easter- piena di benedizioni! Voi e i vostri cari sarete tide! You and your loved ones will be held in nei nostri cuori e nelle nostre preghiere durante our hearts and prayers during this holiest season questo tempo santo. Speriamo che possiate of the Church year. We hope that you can attend partecipare il più possibile alle celebrazioni as many of the Holy Week services as possible, della Settimana Santa, per mostrare gratidudine to show Our Lord your gratitude for all He has al nostro Signore per tutto ciò che Lui ha fatto done and suffered for love of us. e sofferto per amore nostro. La Settimana Santa Holy Week and Easter are a wonderful time to e la Pasqua sono un tempo meraviglioso per give public testimony to our faith, and to deepen dare pubblica testimonianza della nostra fede, our commitment to speak and act as the Father’s e per approfondire il nostro impegno nel parlare beloved children in the midst of a world often ed agire come figli amati del Padre in mezzo hostile to Christianity. al mondo spesso ostile alla Cristianità. Questa This may be the last time I will be writing to potrebbe essere l’ultima volta che scrivo a voi, you, for I have been elected Mother President perché sono stata eletta Madre Presidente della of our new Monastic Congregation of Passionist nuova Congregazione Monastica dei monasteri Nuns’ throughout the world. delle Suore Passioniste sparsi in tutto il mondo. We are now eagerly awaiting the arrival of Sr.

Stiamo aspettando l’arrivo di Suor Monica Monica Graffinara, C.P. who will take up the [email protected] Graffinara, che prenderà la leadership del mo- leadership of the Lucca monastery after Easter. nastero di Lucca dopo Pasqua. Suor Monica Sr. Monica has served as a formation director Email: ha svolto il suo servizio come formatrice sia a both in Loreto and in Malang, Indonesia. Loreto che a Malang, Indonesia. So che voi la I know that you will make her feel as welcome farete sentire la benvenuta a Lucca come avete in Lucca as you have made me feel. fatto sentire me. Gli amici di Santa Gemma a The friends of St. Gemma in Lucca and throu- Lucca e in tutto il mondo sono senza dubbio ghout the word are certainly wonderful, faith- persone meravigliose piene di fede. filled people. Sarete sempre nelle mie preghiere. You will always remain in my prayers. Vi ringrazio anche per aver risposto generosa- I also want to thank you for your generous mente al nostro appello di aiuto finanziario. response to our appeals for financial assistance. Noi abbiamo ancora bisogno di riparare diversi We still have an urgent need to repair several metri di rivestimento sul tetto del santuario. meters of plaster facing just below the roof of L’umidità ha polverizzato gran parte di quello the Santuario. Humidity has pulverized large precedente, lasciando scoperti i mattoni. portions of plaster, exposing the brickwork Abbiamo bisogno di ripararlo prima che subisca underneath. We need to repair this before more ulteriori danni. Così spero che ci ricordiate deterioration occurs. So, I hope you will keep nelle vostre offerte e gesti di carità nel 2019! us in mind for your charitable offerings in Ogni offerta, anche piccola, conta enormemen- 2019! Every gift counts tremendously! te! Our prayers and gratitude extend to each and La nostra preghiera e gratitudine si estende ad every one of you, the friends of St. Gemma. ognuno di voi, amici di Santa Gemma. Mother Catherine Marie and the Passionist Madre Catherine e le suore passioniste di Lucca. Nuns of Lucca. Monastery-Sanctuary of Saint Gemma - Passionist Nuns Outside Porta Elisa 55100 Lucca (Italy)