St Gemma Galgani -11th April

St. Gemma Galgani (1878–1903) Feast Day: April 11
Patron Saint of:

Students

Pharmacists

Those suffering from back pain

Those struggling with temptations

The poor and abandoned

She is often called the “Daughter of the Passion” because she shared deeply in the sufferings of Christ.

Her Life

St. Gemma was born in Italy and grew up quiet, gentle, and deeply prayerful.
She wanted to become a nun but her health was poor. Instead, she lived a simple life at home with her family.

She experienced mystical visions, and even the stigmata (the wounds of Christ) during prayer. She loved Jesus profoundly and united all her sufferings to Him.

Her spirituality centered on:

Silence

Humility

Offering daily difficulties to God

A burning love for Jesus in the Eucharist

Her Most Famous Prayer

“Jesus, if you want me to be happy, change my heart.
If you want me to suffer, strengthen my heart.” This shows her total trust in God’s will.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/JTRwnsKr-L8

Virtues She Teaches Us

Patience in hardship

Offering struggles to God

Pure love for Jesus

Courage in spiritual battle

Short Prayer to St. Gemma Galgani

You can pray this any time you feel overwhelmed or tested:

St. Gemma Galgani,
gentle saint of the Passion of Christ,
help me to love Jesus with a pure and humble heart.
Strengthen me in temptation,
comfort me in suffering,
and pray that I may accept God’s will with peace.
Amen.

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Prayer for  - St. Gemma Galgani 11th April   

O my crucified God, behold me at Your feet; 

do not cast me out, now that I appear before You as a sinner.  

I have offended You exceedingly in the past,  

my Jesus, but it shall be so no longer. 

Before You, O Lord, I place all my sins; 

I have now considered Your own sufferings and see 

how great is the worth of that Precious Blood that flows from Your veins. 

O my God, at this hour close Your eyes to my want of merit, and since  

You have been pleased to die for my sins,  

grant me forgiveness for them all, that I may no longer feel the burden of my sins,  

for this burden, Dear Jesus, oppresses me beyond measure. 

Assist me, my Jesus,  

for I desire to become good whatsoever it may cost; 

take away, destroy, utterly root out all that You find in me contrary to Your holy will.  

At the same time, I pray You, Lord Jesus,  

to enlighten me that I may be able to walk in Your holy light.  

Amen. 

Oh St. Gemma, how compassionate was your love for those in distress,  

and how great your desire to help them.  

Help me, also in my present necessity and  obtain for me the favor I humbly implore,  if it be profitable for my soul. 

The numerous miracles and the wonderful favors  attributed to your intercession instill in me the confidence that you can help me. 

Pray to Jesus, your Spouse, for me.  

Show Him the stigmata which His love has given you.  

Remind Him of the blood which flowed from these same wounds, 

the excruciating pain which you have suffered and the tears  which you have shed for the salvation of souls.  

Place all this as your precious treasure in a chalice of love and Jesus will hear you.  

Amen. 

Prayer To obtain a desired grace: 

Behold me at Your most holy feet,  

O dear Jesus, to manifest to you my gratitude for the continual favors  

which You have bestowed upon me, and still wish to bestow upon me.  

As many times as I have invoked You, O Jesus,  

You have made me content;  

I have often had recourse to You and You have always consoled me. 

How shall I express myself to You, dear Jesus? 

I thank you! Yet one more grace I desire of you,  

O my God, if it would be pleasing to You (here mention your request).  

If you were not omnipotent, I would not make this request.  

O Jesus, have pity on me. May your most holy will be done in all things”  

Amen 

Prayer to St Gemma Galgani asking for her intercession: 

Oh holy Gemma, I am near you, help me to pray. 

You know what I and those near me need;  

look after my urgent needs and my spiritual and material wants.  

You take care of them! I confide in you and entrust all to your loving care.  

Offer up to Jesus that tender and constant care that you bore Him here on earth. 

Oh holy Gemma, you who physically suffered all the pains of the Passion of Jesus,  

I beseech of you the grace to meditate on and live the Passion of Jesus,  

and the sufferings of Holy Mary.  

Pray that I will be able to walk in the path of humility, simplicity,  

love and sacrifice, fulfilling at all times and in all ways,  

the holy will of God. Let me live united with Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary,  

and you, for all eternity.  -  Amen. 

Very popular prayer to St Gemma Galgani 

 Oh St. Gemma,  

how compassionate was your love for those in distress,  and how great your desire to help them.  

Help me, also in my present necessity and obtain for me the favor I humbly implore,  if it be profitable for my soul.  

The numerous miracles and the wonderful favors   attributed to your intercession instill in me the confidence that you can help me.  

Pray to Jesus, your Spouse,   for me. Show Him the stigmata which His love has given you.  

Remind Him of the blood which flowed from these same wounds,   the excruciating pain which you have suffered and the tears  

which you have shed for the salvation of souls. Place all this as your precious treasure in a chalice of   love and Jesus will hear you.  

Amen. 

Prayer to St Gemma Galgani for purity 

 Oh bright flower of heaven,  

St Gemma, mirror of purity and penance,  

obtain for us the grace of purity and  

help us against all temptations of the flesh.  

We ask this through Christ our Lord.  

Amen. 

Pray for us, Saint Gemma Galgani 

Let us pray: 
 O God, Who fashioned thy servant Saint Gemma into a likeness of Thy Crucified Son, grant us through her intercession the favor that we humbly request, and through the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Thy Son, may we be united with You for all eternity. 
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Prayer from Pope John Paul II for Saint Gemma Galgani 

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 Novena Prayers 

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  

Amen. 

Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Gemma Galgani as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You she showed by remaining faithful amidst many suffering from chronic health problems.  

St. Gemma Galgani, you suffered a lot from poor health throughout your life. As a small child, your chronic health problems were so severe that they prevented you from continuing your education in school. Despite these sufferings, you held fast to your Faith and your love for God. 

Please bring my petitions before God Whom you loved so dearly! 

You never allowed your sufferings to deter you from serving God. You persevered in seeking holiness throughout your life. 

Pray for me, that I may never allow sufferings to deter me from serving God. Pray that I may be as faithful as you were, amidst all trials. 

Please also pray for (mention your intentions here). 

St. Gemma Galgani, pray for us! 

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  

Amen. 

Here are the Catholic patron saints of education, students, and learning — each with a simple, clear role:

Primary Patron of Students & Education

St. Thomas Aquinas

Feast: January 28
A great theologian and philosopher.
Known for his intelligence, humility, and total reliance on God for understanding.

Patron of students, universities, and scholars.

Simple Prayer:

St. Thomas Aquinas, help me to study well and seek truth. Amen.

For Students Who Struggle or Feel Discouraged

St. Joseph of Cupertino

Feast: September 18
He struggled academically but became holy through humility and perseverance.

Patron of students taking exams.

Simple Prayer:

St. Joseph of Cupertino, pray that I may remain calm and do well. Amen.

Patron Saint of Teachers

St. John Baptist de La Salle

Feast: April 7
Founded the Christian Brothers and modern classroom teaching methods.

Patron of teachers and Catholic educators.

Patron Saint of Young Students

St. Gemma Galgani

Feast: April 11
Pure heart, loved simplicity and virtue.

Patron for young students who want to grow in love for God.

Patron Saint of Writers & Learning

St. Catherine of Alexandria

Feast: November 25
Known for her wisdom and intelligence.

Patron of philosophers, libraries, and students seeking clarity.

For School Communities

St. John Bosco (your favorite)

Feast: January 31
Educated the poor and abandoned youth with love and joy.

Patron of youth, catechists, school communities, and vocation discernment.

PRAYERS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE	WEBPAGE
Prayers to Archangels 29th September	https://saintmichaelusa.org/archangels/
Guardian Angels 2nd October	https://saintmichaelusa.org/1002-Guardian-Angels
Prayers for Children	https://saintmichaelusa.org/children
Prayers for Students	https://saintmichaelusa.org/students
St Joseph Curpertino – 18th September	https://saintmichaelusa.org/0918-St-Joseph-Cupertino
St Carlo Acutis 12th October	https://saintmichaelusa.org/1012-St-Carlo-Acutis/
St Dominic Savio – 6th May	https://saintmichaelusa.org/0506dominicsavio/
St. Pier Giorgio Frassati – 4th July	https://saintmichaelusa.org/0704-St-Giorgio Frassati.
St Maria Goretti – 6th July	https://saintmichaelusa.org/0706-st-maria-goretti/
St Gemma Galgani 11th April	https://saintmichaelusa.org/0411-St-Galgani
St Thomas Aquinas – 28th January	https://saintmichaelusa.org/0128thomasaquinas/
St John Bosco 31st January	https://saintmichaelusa.org/0131johnbosco/