Diary of Saint Gemma Galgani
Gemma Galgani
Saint Gemma Galgani, 20th century Italian mystic and stigmatic, kept this Diary at the direction of her Confessor, Monsignor Volpi. The Diary was started on July 19, 1900 and stopped less than two months later, on September 3, two days after meeting Father Germano, who was to become her Spiritual Director, and with whom she'd been corresponding for several months. Under the direction of Fr. Germano, she later began her Autobiography.
Here's an excerpt from the Diary:
“I spent the rest of the day united with Jesus. I suffer a little but no one sees my suffering. Only from time to time does some complaint escape me but, my God, it is truly involuntary.Today it took very little, indeed nothing, for me to collect myself. My mind was already with Jesus and I immediately went in spirit as well. How affectionate Jesus showed himself to be today. But how he suffers! I do what I can to diminish the anguish and I would do more if I had permission. He came near today, lifted the crown from my head, and then I did not see him replace it as usual on his head. He held it in his hands. All his wounds were open, but they did not drip blood as usual. They were beautiful.
He usually blesses me before leaving. I saw him lift his right hand, and from that hand I then saw a ray of light shine forth, much stronger than a lamp. He kept his hand raised. I remained still watching it..."
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