St Gemma Galgani relic

Details concerning the Saint Gemma Galgani relic that I have in my posession, the wood fragments of which are in the St Gemma relic lockets offered in the St Gemma Gift Store.

The relics inside the St Gemma relic lockets and relic locket rosaries that I offer are wood fragments that come from two large pieces of wood from Saint Gemma's original coffin, called "ex capsa" in Latin. 

Gemma's original wooden coffin was exhumed as part of the official beatification/canonisation process, which began in 1907. 

I feel very blessed to have recieved these two large pieces of wood from her original coffin, and it is from these two large pieces of wood that the relics inside the St Gemma relic lockets come from.

Original wooden cigar box that the St Gemma relics were delivered in

As can be seen in the photos, these two pieces of wood came from the Postulator General of the Passionists in Rome back in 1952, and were originally sent to the Passionist nuns at the Chapel of Saint Gemma Galgani in Sittard, Netherlands. The relics have the official seal of the Postulator General of the Passionist Congregation, along with a signed document, attesting to their origin and authenticity.

The signed document of authenticity from the Postulator General of the Passionists in Rome, written in Latin states the following:

(Translated from Latin to English)

Postulator of the Passionists

Saints John and Paul, Rome

We give credit to the inspection of all letters of praise. We have taken from the authentic remains, which are preserved with us, two pieces from the wooden box in which the sacred body of Saint Gemma Galgani, the Virgin of Lucca, was first buried. In whose faith we have given these Letters, twice signed, and secured by our seal.

Given at Rome, SS. John and Paul: May 20, AD 1952

(Signed)

Aegidius Joseph a SS. Cordibus

Postulator General C.P.

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Original Latin:

Postulazione PP. Passionisti

SS. Giovanni E Paolo - Roma

Universis praesentes Litteras inspecturis fidem facimus Nos ab authenticus Reliquis, quae apud nos servantur, has duas particulas extraxisse ex Capsa lignea, in qua sacrum Corpus Sanctae Gemma Galgani, Virginis Lucensis primum conditum fuit. In quorum fidem has Litteras a bis subscriptas et sigello nostro munitas dedimus.

Datum Romae, ad SS. Ioannis et Pauli: Die XX mensis Maii, A.D. MCMLII

(Signed)

AEGIDIVS IOSEPH A SS. CORDIBVS 

Postulator Generalis C.P.

Original wooden cigar box that the St Gemma relics were delivered in

As a side note, Reverend Father Aegidius of the Sacred Hearts, C.P., spent 31 eminently successful years as Postulator General of the Passionists (from 1921 to  October  25th,  1952, and died on November 29, 1953 +) where he successfully promoted the  causes of beatification and  canonization  of  Saint Gemma Galgani, along with several other Servants of God of the Passionist Congregation, such as beatification  and  canonization  of  St. Vincent  Mary Strambi, and the approval of the heroic  virtues of Venerable John Baptist of  St.  Michael the Archangel. He was succeeeded by Reverend Father  Robert of Our Lady of Good Counsel, C.P.,  who had held the office of Vice-Postulator. 

Paper and Passionist Seal that the wooden casket relics are wrapped in

St Gemma "ex capsa" coffin relic

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Check out the beautiful handmade relic lockets and other items at the St Gemma Gift Store here.