Gemma was beautiful

The information for this article is from the Italian book "La Povera Gemma" written by Padre Enrico Zoffoli C.P. The book is a 1000+ page hagiography on the life of St Gemma. The webmaster would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Mrs. Rita Dunn for translating it into English. May God bless her for her efforts.

"La Povera Gemma" (Gemma The Poor) by Enrico Zoffoli C.P.

p.419 Chapt.IV "Gemma was Beautiful"
J. Mouroux wrote that the Incarnation of our Lord has given to the human body a capacity of expression that goes beyond the infinite: it expresses God.
The face of Jesus is indeed the human face of God, so that " who sees Him, beholds the Father".
If a person is revealed through the Face of Jesus we have a Divine Person that is revealed through a human face. A Person whose "profound reality" is that of God Himself.
Therefore who becomes transformed in the Son " is" a theophany of the Father. Who resembles Christ reflects the light and joy of the Living God. This explains how in many saints we have so admired that ethereal beauty, so mysterious that transcends and gives light to the contours more or less regular of their facial features.

The ascent of the soul that subdues the flesh will make its corporeal shell thinner...and will it not also reveal the profound furrows of the spirit?...
Under this point of view, therefore, we need to recognize that in man there is a wonderful dichotomy between the visible and the invisible, the face and the soul, the external appearance and the life that goes on in mystery, under the eye of "He who searches into the abyss".

Gemma will not be able to escape from this law. Those who knew her will unanimously describe her one of the most enchanting women figures. She was not tall, she was one meter and sixty centimeters (63 inches, or 5ft 3 inches). However she was well built and very healthy looking. She had a rosy complexion, her face shape was more round than oval , and her eyes were sky blue, (p.420)
she had well defined lips and jaw, straight nose, large forehead and chestnut color hair in normal amount irregularly parted in the front and gently gathered behind the head.
Habitually Gemma had a smile on her lips and her countenance was ever infused by a"veiled melancholy" that revealed the misfortunes and also the passions of the young lady's soul.
However, this internal sadness was affable and was revealed by her ever lowered eyes and her gaze which was irresistibly attracted and immersed in the mystery of Christ.

The five authentic pictures reveal and confirm these descriptions about her. In one picture Gemma was seven years old and she holds the hand of her younger sister Angelina, when her mother was perhaps still living.
The other four pictures were not taken before the year 1900. We could have seen her in a group picture with her classmates when she was studying at the Istituto delle Zitine, but on that day we are assured by Mrs. Ada Gattai that she was ill at home.
We have the four remaining pictures because Fr. Germano wanted to make sure that posterity would see a most faithful image of his spiritual daughter. He was trying not to repeat the problem that happened with Saint Gabriele (St Gabriel Possenti -editor) since he was also at that time the Postulator General of his cause.

The first picture is perhaps the best one according to the Giannini's family. She appears a little worried and almost afraid. Eufemia explains that the photographer had to beg her not to move and to keep her eyes fixed on the camera.
On the second picture that was taken we see her profile plus one half of her face (three fourths of the face), her hands are as if
she would be praying. Her gaze is upwards and her expression is enchanted.. the incarnation of a fine beauty, celestial...
In the third picture that was taken during a dolorous ecstasis, she is transfigured, her eyes are bright wide with an incomparable charm.
In the fourth picture she is holding the hand of little Elena in the Giannini's garden. She appears in all her natural beauty
with her hairdo, her long black dress, her usual (mantellina) short cloak. Her eyes slightly cast down and her slight affable smile
that rendered her so lovely to behold. We still have the skirt and the short cloak. Both are made of ordinary black fabric
of the same cut; plus her little straw hat of the same color.
Her look was striking and the saint very often was the subject of derision as she walked the streets of Lucca. She did not care,
she was unmovable about it, this even pleased her.

It must be said that she did not care at all to appear or to be noted by others. She could never sufficiently hide that fresh youthful beauty of her person and most of all her affable face.
(p.421) Gemma had a very beautiful face that specially light up when she was smiling. Her rosey complexion was luminous especially when recollected.
She was not very tall nor too thin, declared Mother Gesualda. Little Contessina Sardi who so many times could look at her up close, said "She was so graceful and attractive with such fine facial features, large luminous eyes, an enchanting smile and the sweetest facial expression... a agreeable incantation. She was pleasant."

Mrs Ethel Rose wrote: "that young girl had a most beautiful face, I was stricken at my first encounter with the saint."
These same comments were confirmed by many old people that met her. All these comments are undeniable because they are very documented. However we can not explain how a Tuscan, Mr. Bargellini, wrote that if he had indeed met a girl like her in Lucca... he would have derided her. In reality at Camaiore it happened quite the opposite.

Alessandrina Balsuani wrote that Gemma had an admirer, his name was Romeo delle Lucche, she testifyes that "he begged her to tell Gemma about his sentiments for her".
Soon after always in Camaiore a nineteen year old young man named Girolamo "the son of Doctor Bertozzi fell in love with Gemma, so much as he and his father went to Gemma's uncle Mr. Domenico Lencioni to ask her in marriage".

(p.422) When she returned to Lucca one day as she was walking with her aunt Elisa a lieutenant of the cavalry approached the aunt and asked her if he could have a word with her. The aunt replied : "What do you want? Speak freely". The lieutenant said : "I would like to become 'engaged' to the young lady next to you". I replied : "She is just a child, she does not want a husband. She is not my daughter". The lieutenant replied so sadly : "I am so sorry at this, she looks like an angel and of a good heart. I am a good young man and I come from a respectable family, I could give you all the information of who I am... about my family....where we live...".

During the last years when the physical and moral strains would bring about her collapse.. Cecilia Giannini wrote. -"very often when soldiers walked by.... they were all staring at her."
It must be said that no one else recalled the superhuman grace of Gemma more than Pilade Franceschi. He met her when he was young by Mr. Marchetti, and he remained her dear affectionate friend. He recalls this secret chaste veneration he had for her. He describes : ".. her dress clean, simple, black like the one of a girl at a boarding school. Her eyes large and luminous with an ever present expression of a reflective intelligence. Her eyelids lowered just a little, a face from which goodness and modesty transpired; her inner recollection was a mature composure. Time has never dimmed this memory. I recall myself in the classroom cared and guided by Gemma Galgani a sweet and enchanting teacher, ready to help me...this gentle maiden was so lovely and full of kind cares. She had inexhaustible goodness, indulgence and patience. She was so faithful and capable to educate even those who were unruly. She was so alien to resentment, pride and ambitions. She was to me like an angelic image of perfection that left an indelible imprint in my young child heart".

(p.423) "One could think by appearances the very opposite to be true of what I am stating. However I want to point out that even though our destiny in life has been so different, any comparison would be almost sacrilegious. I have been profoundly influenced by her teachings and by a beneficial influx of her noble soul....

"As time was passing by the slight difference in age became non existent and we considered each other as classmates. Gemma so humble and frank and so estranged to any alternate motives, she seemed to forget that she was my teacher during my tender youth and she was treating me as we were on the same level. I was feeling and ardent emotional affection and a lively devotion towards this being so superior that it would make my heart beat... She was not a relative of mine, and I was never in love with her. I could not have for the fact that she was a superior creature and because of my respect for her. I will never forget our sacred friendship. In all the most difficult moment of my life, I always found myself asking the question: 'What would Gemma say'...?"

This long citation confirms what kind of soul this saint had; the power of her charm fascinated more that one heart that felt attracted by an ideal of supreme virtue and beauty. Therefore we are not surprised about Gemma who was so in love with her Spouse "the image of the invisible God". Through the harmony of her forms but mostly by the light of her gaze, she reveals
unaware and unable to contain within herself that mysterious action of God who modelled her spirit accordingly to the desires and wishes of an infinite love.

Some notes on Gemma's last illness

(p.424) Footnotes
(p.425) Additional footnotes. Towards the end of the page: 40iv . The diagnosis of Professor Bianchini is clear from his letters and it is addressed to Mrs. Cecilia , the date is from Feb. 13, 1903. The other one was to Fr. Egidio, Gen. Postulator written on Nov.8 1922.
For the scope of this writing we reproduce them in their entirety.
"Kind lady,
This morning I was supposed to visit the patient in Via Rosa but if you do not mind I will do that tomorrow, also because there is need to collect more urine and have a total daily amount. I am not sure if she has TB however I am certain she is a diabetic. Sorry for the inconvenience, sincerely " Dr. Bianchini.

Rev, Fr. Egidio,
I do not remember everything about Miss Gemma Galgani, the patient that you have inquired about . I can tell you from the note I wrote to Mrs. Giannini and from memory that my impression was that the patient had TB, however the tests results were never specific for that "bacilli" - I do remember I did several examinations. From memory I have to say that I had many cases of Tuberculosis associated with diabetes ( in many occasions the elevated blood sugar is favorable to the growth of TB bacilli).
From the microscopic exam the result I found was rather peculiar: a large quantity of cells that had all the characteristics of pulmonary cells well preserved in structure and well identifiable under stain. So I had the clear impression that more than TB in process it could have been a case of pulmonary neoplasm. This I can assure you, but not more because I did not follow
this patient until her death. Therefore I can not add anything to what I just wrote. ( inAGCP)

This page ends in just foot notes.

(p.427) n.88. States that: The conduct of Gemma during the ecstasies clearly excludes that they were pathological in nature.
n.100. The long tale of Dr. Tommasi about a note from Fr. Pfannar to Prof. D'Antonio Pagani of Nov. 20th 1907 about the various visits he did to Gemma before she became severely ill. The authentic copy was released to Mons. G. Ferrari Fiscal Promotor of the Lucca Process.
n. 102. Cecilia Giannini reports the note written by the saint to Mons. Volpi.- "Monsignor, if you want to come , come. However do not bring others besides you. Jesus is not happy about this and He will not reveal you anything. Do as you wish, I will be happy with whatever you decide. God Bless you , I am poor Gemma."

(p.428) n.121. About the notion in regard of the picture published of Saint Gemma by the Monastery of the Sanctuary in Lucca it is reported that the saint has her eyes open in the picture. It is not true. She kept her eyes lowered because she could not tolerate the sunlight, as it happens to most people...
n.122. Inside the Museum of Saint Gemma in the Monastery of the Sanctuary in Lucca everything is visible, including the straw hat that she used to wear. A felt winter hat was bought for her by Matteo [Giannini] for her to wear when going to Mass. He did not want that Gemma going out in public would look any different from his daughters. He was very mindful about the level of education and wealthy conditions that the Galgani's family was once accustomed. The living members of the Giannini family have informed us of this.
After the financial crash of the Galgani family with the death of Mr. Enrico Galgani [Gemma's father] Gemma when leaving the house wore a black veil. During the winter she wore a felt hat that is now lost. It was that hat that Mr. Matteo bought for her. The mother informs us that during that time the use of a hat was very common among the ladies in Lucca.

APPENDIX OF PHOTOS OF GEMMA

p.429. These indications about the picture of Miss Galgani - not before the year 1900 - the content is in the correspondence between Fr. Germano and Cecilia Giannini. We are not always able to reconstruct clearly the story before mentioned.
The ones of which we have absolute certainty of their authenticity besides her first picture [as a child] with her little sister Angelina.
The notes below are very worthy of reproducing because we have description on PSG of Sept.1935 pp.331 in this article ,
we believe it is important to make a special appendix of it.
It appears that the date is from Sept. 20th ? 1900. Fr. Germano writes to Mrs Cecilia about the first of the 4 pictures of the saint.
The picture that perhaps was chosen out of two proofs taken at the beginning of the month:
"Do not forget about the pictures taken of Gemma. Pick up also the negatives of the first and of the second one.." (AGCP)
We think that Fr. Germano when he went to Lucca since he knew personally the saint, he gave orders to have some pictures taken of her. Mrs. Cecilia was obedient to this and on Sept. 22 of the same year she wrote back to Fr. Germano:
"I had the portrait taken that you desired. I will soon mail it to you. They do not want to give me the negatives, because they do not give them, but they promised me never to develop other pictures without my permission." (iv)
The lady did not wait too long to mail the picture because she writes on Oct.13th : "Here with Mr. Lorenzo I sent it". She seemed worried and was asking him if he received it...
With an answer on Oct. 22nd 1900 Fr. Germano put her at ease.(iv)
We have a lot of data and testimonies from the Giannini's that demonstrate that the first of the 4 pictures is the best of the two ordered by Fr. Germano. It is precisely the one so cited in all the letters.

p.430. The work was done by the Photographic Studio of Mr. G. di Guilio & Co. (Garibaldi avenue, n.27. Lucca).
Gemma was about 22 and 1/2 years old. It seems not improbable that Fr. Germano had the second proof of the picture reproduced and diffused. This would prove the hypothesis about the very slight difference in expression that some times one can note about the frontal picture with her gaze so penetrating and gloomy....
The next year Father Germano desired something better, so he makes a request of Mrs. Giannini on Oct. 7th 1901...
Gemma at that time was ill and Mrs. Cecilia had to postpone every day : since it was not good to put her through another session of sittings in her conditions. Several months went by and Fr. Germano fearing that she had forgotten about his request wrote on July7th 1902:
"Do not forget about the new picture I requested but have it done at the first occasion as soon as this angel feels better...".
"The exposure should be taken standing and almost frontal but without having her turn the neck rigtht or left. Her eyes looking up with an expression like Gabriellino II Galileo (Nicolini). Her hands crossed about the breast like Gabriellino I - the saint - the exposure should appear effortless and tranquil.
The second exposure could be taken in the same manner with an angelic expression but slightly showing half profile. Do not spend money on the cardboard backing... but absolutely do think about getting the negatives this time." (iv)

In these descriptions we have the absolute confirmation of the authenticity of the second picture that was more diffused, and it is the most beautiful we have. ...we read this in this article, that it is the best, most authentic and most original picture since no touch ups of any kind were done. Therefore it has become the most traditionally used and the one to which an artist who wants to paint her should use if he does not want in any way change the physiognomy of Gemma. (iv p.323)

Mother Gemma Giannini C.P. [Eufemia Giannini] and Prof. Mariano assured us that Mr. Beppe had received as a gift - that is still today in the home - a modest camera with which he took pictures of the saint during her 'dolorous ecstais'.
Because there was not sufficient light he had to try several times but in the end he was successful. The pictures were not a work of art but Beppe sent them to Fr. Germano, who gave them to a professional artist that choose the best one.
He commissioned a copy to be done oil colors.
Father then informed Mrs. Cecilia when that the portrait was finished: "I gave the imperfect pictures taken by Beppe to a very good artist. He reproduced one and enlarged it on canvas. He was really able to truly portray her angelic appearance and freshness with lively expression that you will marvel when you see it. The artist himself was astonished saying that he has never
seen any human face like it. Now I am happy. If we were to buy the picture he would sell it to us for 25 lire. For now I will let him keep it, he is a good christian.....We shall see how this story of Gemma will end." (no date on this letter).

Even though we lack the date the letter from Fr. Germano seems to be from the late months of 1902, as a note in pencil on this paper states that Gemma was 24yrs. old. The picture is the one hanging in the aunt's bedroom. We have ordered a faithful reproduction of that art work.

p.431. There is also a biographic note about the portrait. One day Gemma discovered the canvas and she felt so mortified that she hid it behind the sofa. Gemma writes "After the portrait arrived they hid it - said the saint - I searched for it but I could not find it. So I began asking a lot of questions and I finally I found it in aunt Eufemia's bedroom. I could not believe it. When I was certain that no one was looking I went in the bedroom and took it and hid it... During that evening nor during the day after no one knew that it was missing. When they tried to search for it they could not find it. They started asking me questions ( Jesus helped me not to lie)

'So... Gemma' -they said- 'You did not take it did you?'
You are confused - I was saying - What do you want to do with it? Jesus does well all things, -if from the portrait you could have gained profit, Jesus would have left it with you. But from an ugly and scandalous picture, and all of you know it, it is best that when the body dies out so it must be for everything with it. "

Gemma's everyday clothes- a dress & mantle

In this way she was interrogated by Ms. Cecilia, but it was only twice. Gemma writes-
"The worse thing dear Father is that after I hid the portrait I felt remorse. The Monsignor [Msgr. Volpi] was away I made them call Mr. Correttore della Rosa. I confessed everything to him and he told me to be obedient and to put back everything the way it was....it was evening, I was in bed. I did not obey. Neither did I the next day. We are now on Dec. 24th.
Do you believe dear Father that I did not feel like obeying when Monday you commanded me to put the portrait back?" (Lg125p 239ss).

The remorse was sincere; -and what else could a soul so pure could have felt?

"If you give me a command" -she writes in the letter - "Dear Father forgive me, I will put it back where it was, but do not speak about it anymore.." IVP p294.
In fact in another letter of Jan. 7th of the following year she informs him...."that the famous figure that was lost for many days was returned to its original place. Goodbye dear father, forgive me, it will be the last sin I do".

It seems that the aunt [Cecilia] was not aware of what happened because in a letter of Jan.12th to Fr. Germano she writes:
"The way that picture disappeared and then reappeared again, it is a mystery to me. Gemma will not say anything about it and I do not understand it...". Therefore even though Ms. Cecilia was always very careful, it seems that on this occasion the poor Gemma was more clever than her. She was also helped by the 'dear Father' that even in the last letter he told her to be quiet about it and reccommended : ".....when you write about it, do not mention it". Lg.p.126 p.295.

Dom Roberto Andreucci - this should not need mention - was the custodian of the sacramental seal.. For this time Gemma could avert the irated remonstrances of the good aunt...
The 4th picture that represents the entire figure of Gemma with little Elena was taken by Beppe in front of a window of the new carriage barn. Using the trick that he was supposed to pick up his little sister the young man yelled at Gemma : "stop for a moment" and he took the picture. So we have the image of the saint caught in a spontaneous expression that will
impress anyone that would meet her. We see her well covered because it was the winter of 1901.
She was dressed exactly like she used to when going outside except for the hat that she used to customarily remove as soon as she went inside.

p.432. Later on - May 25 (1904?) - Fr. Germano while writing to Mrs. Cecilia and her niece Eufemia, talks about the two pictures taken by Beppino (Beppe). We can not ascertain if one of the pictures is one that was taken of the saint with little Elena nor can we say if both represent Gemma during a 'dolorous ecstasis'. (letter from Mother Gemma Giannini).
We do not have other documents that prove the authenticity of the four pictures of Gemma with that absolute certainty we desire. However, all the data collected can convince anyone that they show with fedelity the physiognomy of the saint. cf. The true image of B. Gemma Galgani Sep. 1935. p.321.-1.

The complete collection of 5 pictures is kept at the Monastery of the Sanctuary in Lucca. (AGCP).
The original picture of Gemma in a sorrowing 'dolorous ecstasis' is visible in the bedroom of aunt Cecilia precisely when Gemma was sitting on the arm chair unaware that Beppino took that shot. It is for certain that it is one of the shots taken by him. The photo is the one - or one of those - given to Prof. G. Francisi.

"I too, oh Jesus, have a great desire to love you in return....Yes, you have given me so much! I shall do everything for You; everything You ask of me." -St Gemma