Saint of the day and Feast days.

[odhiambo]

11 April

Today is the Feast day of
Saint Gemma Galgani
Amomg many other Saints.

[Shin]

'Remember daughter, that whoever truly loves Jesus speaks little and bears all things. I command thee, on behalf of Jesus, to always refrain from giving your own opinion, unless it is asked; always to prefer silence to upholding your own views. Whenever you have committed a fault, accuse yourself of it at once, and do not wait for others to accuse thee. Give full obedience to your confessor, and to those whom he commands thee to obey; and be always sincere with them. Remember to guard your eyes, and be assured that the eyes that are mortified, shall behold the beauties of heaven.'

'Poor child! How imperfect you are! How much you need others to keep a constant guard over thee. Oh, how much patience I must have with thee.'

St. Gemma Galgani's Guardian Angel

[odhiambo]

Saint Gemma Galgani

Gemma Galgani was born on March 12, 1878, in a small Italian town near Lucca.
Her parents were poor people.
Gemma developed a love for prayers at an early age.
She received her First Holy Communion on June 17, 1887. She attended a school run by the Sisters of St. Zita.
Gemma was loved by all her teachers and her fellow pupils.
Unfortunately, she suffered from chronic ill health and had to quit school before completing her course of study.

When she was seven years old, her mother died; her father also died at a later date. At nineteen, Gemma was forced to work as a maid so as to be able to care for her seven brothers and sisters for whom she now had responsibility following the death of both their parents.

Her hope was to be a Passionist nun but her poor health prevented her from being accepted.(she took several vows in private).
She apparently suffered from spinal tuberculosis. She was later cured from this illness, through the intercession of Saint Gabriel Possenti .

Passionataly religious, the saint was the subject of various extraordinary supernatural phenomena such as visions, ecstasies, revelations, supernatural knowledge, conversations with her visible Guardian Angel, prophecy and miracles. These experiences were investigated by her confessor, Father Germano di San Stanislao Ruappolo.

Between 1899 and 1901, she intermittantly received the stigmata and marks of scourging on her body. It seems also that she exhibited occasional erratic behaviour that she attributed to diabolical possession.

She died quietly in the company of the parish priest, on Holy Saturday, April 11, 1903. She was twenty-five years old.
She was soon considered for canonization. This was opposed by some because of those erratic episodes of her life. She was however accepted as the holiness of her life was unquestionable.

She was beatified in 1933 and canonized on May 2, 1940, by Pope Pius XII, only thirty-seven years after her death.

Saint Gemma,
Pray for us!

[Shin]

She certainly died young! .. On Holy Saturday..

[odhiambo]

Saint Gemma Galgani

Between 1899 and 1901, she intermittantly received the stigmata and marks of scourging on her body. It seems also that she exhibited occasional erratic behaviour that she attributed to diabolical possession.

It is possible for one who is 'inhabited' by God to be possessed?

[odhiambo]

At one time during her sufferings, she was asked: “If Jesus gave you the choice between two alternatives, either going immediately to heaven and having your sufferings disappear, or else remaining here in suffering to procure still more glory for the Lord, which would you choose?” She answered: “I prefer to remain here rather than going to heaven, when it is a question of suffering for Jesus and His glory”

[Patricia]

It is possible for one who is 'inhabited' by God to be possessed?

Coincidence. I was just reading about it in Fr Gabriele Amorth book 'An exorcist tells his story' a few moments back. I quote.

The lives of many saints include examples of this affliction. Among modern saints, I can cite two who have been beatified by Pope John Paul ll : Father Giovanni Calabria and Sister Mary of Jesus Crucified (who was the first Arab to be beatified).  In both cases, and without any human fault, they were subjected to periods of true satanic possession.  During those periods, the two saints did and said things totally incompatible with their holiness without the least fault, because it was the devil who acted through their bodies.

[martin]

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"
Prayer of St Gemma Galgani

[odhiambo]

It is possible for one who is 'inhabited' by God to be possessed?

Coincidence. I was just reading about it in Fr Gabriele Amorth book 'An exorcist tells his story' a few moments back. I quote.

The lives of many saints include examples of this affliction. Among modern saints, I can cite two who have been beatified by Pope John Paul ll : Father Giovanni Calabria and Sister Mary of Jesus Crucified (who was the first Arab to be beatified).  In both cases, and without any human fault, they were subjected to periods of true satanic possession.  During those periods, the two saints did and said things totally incompatible with their holiness without the least fault, because it was the devil who acted through their bodies.

Quite a coincidence that one Patricia.
 So it is possible, though it is still difficult for me to comprehend.  

[odhiambo]

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"
Prayer of St Gemma Galgani

A powerful prayer!
I never came across it.
Thanks for sharing

[Patricia]

So it is possible, though it is still difficult for me to comprehend.  Smiley

Yes a little eerie for me too!

[odhiambo]

12 April

To day is the Feast day of
Saint Teresa of the Andes
Among Many other saints.

[odhiambo]

Saint Teresa of the Andes

Also known as
Saint Teresa of Los Andes
Discalced Carmelite Mystic.

Teresa was born in Santiago, Chile, on 13 July 1900. She was christened Juana Enriqueta Josefina of the Sacred Hearts Fernandez Solar. She was , however called Juanita. Her family consisted of her parents Miguel Fernandez and Lucia Solar, three brothers and two sisters, her maternal grandfather, uncles, aunts and cousins. The family was well off and were also faithful Christians. She was educated in the college of the French nuns of the Sacred Heart.

Juanita was devoted to Christ from a very young age. When she was just fourteen, she decided to consecrate herself to God.
On May 7, 1919 at the age of 19, she entered the Discalced Carmelite monastery of the Holy Spirit in the township of Los Andes, some 90 kilometers from Santiago. She was clothed with the Carmelite habit on 14 October the same year and given the religious name of Teresa of Jesus.

Toward the end of her short life, Teresa began an apostolate of letter-writing, sharing her thoughts on the spiritual life with many people. Still aged 19 she contracted a severe case of typhus. She received the last sacraments, and on 7 April, because of danger of death, she made her religious profession early. She died April 12, 1920 during Holy Week. Three months more and she would have turned 20.
She still had 6 months to complete her canonical novitiate and to be legally able to make her religious vows. She died as a Discalced Carmelite nun.

Teresa was beatified by Pope John Paul II in Santiago de Chile on April 3, 1987. Luis, one of her siblings, was present at her beatification.
She was canonized by Pope John Paul II on March 21, 1993. Her remains are venerated in the Sanctuary of Auco-Rinconada of Los Andes.

She is the patron of young people.

Saint Teresa,
Pray for us!

[odhiambo]

Saint Teresa of the Andes

Teresa was beatified by Pope John Paul II in Santiago de Chile on April 3, 1987. Luis, one of her siblings, was present at her beatification.
She was canonized by Pope John Paul II on March 21, 1993. Her remains are venerated in the Sanctuary of Auco-Rinconada of Los Andes.

Imagine your very own sister up there! 

[Shin]

'How is it that we do not die of love in seeing that God Himself could do no more than shed His divine blood for us drop by drop? When as man He was preparing for death, He made Himself our food in order to give us life. God becomes food, bread for his creatures. Is this not enough to make us die of love?'

'Perfection of life consists in drawing close to God. Heaven is the possession of God. In heaven God is contemplated, adored, loved. But to attain heaven it's necessary to be detached from what is earthly. What is the life of a Carmelite if not one of contemplating, adoring and loving God incessantly? And she, by being desirous for that heaven, distances herself from the world and tries to detach herself as much as possible from everything earthly.'

St. Teresa of the Andes

[odhiambo]

 13 April
Today is the Feast day of
Saint Martin I, 
Among many other saints.