Saint Gemma Galgani, 1878–1903
April 11

Saint Gemma Galgani was a beautiful Italian girl who loved Jesus from the time she was very little. When she wanted to send someone a message, she would sometimes ask her Guardian Angel to deliver it for her. When she prayed, her Angel would kneel and pray with her. She felt him always at her side, even when she was afraid or sick. Saint Gemma said the best way to always do the right thing is to pray to Jesus and Mary for help.

Discuss: When do you pray to Jesus or Mary for help?

Saint Gemma is a patron of students and pharmacists. In school she enjoyed learning French, math, and music. She worked as a maid for a time, but always wanted to be a nun. She was unable to enter religious life because of illness, but took private vows after she believed she’d been cured. Gemma had a deep devotion to prayer and to care for the poor.

Activity
Guardian Angel
Verbal/Linguistic

Explain to the child that Saint Gemma Galgani always prayed with her Guardian Angel when she needed help.

• Ask the child to share who their Guardian Angel is. Ask if they always feel their Guardian Angel by their side.
• Invite them to discuss when they might need to pray with their Guardian Angel.
• Have the child say this prayer:

Angel sent by God to guide me, be my light and
walk beside me; be my guardian and protect me;
on the paths of life direct me.