*This novena starts April 1st and is to be prayed April 2nd (Good Friday) and ends on April 11th (Divine Mercy Sunday).
To the Flower of Lucca, who chose me, an unworthy sinner, and graced me with the gift of your love, to help spread your devotion to the world, so that we all may imitate your heart with a desire to love Christ deeper, and embrace suffering as you did, emulating your humility so that we may be brought closer union with Christ.
Oh, Gemma, my love, the devotion in your eyes is undeniable. How beautiful your gaze, unwavering on the Cross of our Lord. You understood his suffering, for you too felt the crown of thorns pressed into your brow, and later bore the wounds of the nails which pierced His precious hands and feet. But you did not complain, no, you asked to suffer more. Press upon my heart, your gift of willingness to suffer. So that I may humbly understand as you did, the true cause and pain of sin which Christ suffered on the cross. Oh Gemma my love, give me your strength to suffer for Christ.
My beautiful St. Gemma, daughter of the Passion, may this novena be an unworthy example of my dedication to following Christ as you followed Him, to strive for Christ as you strove for Him, to love Him as you love Him. That my heart may for a brief moment be graced to be pressed against your heart so that in this embrace, my Love for God will deepen ever more through your intercession…
St. Gemma Galgani, pray for us.
DAY 1
Preface: Oh most Divine Lord, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to your servant, St Gemma Galgani, whose intercession we are now imploring.
Most compassionate virgin, St. Gemma, during thy short life on earth, you gave a most beautiful example of angelic innocence and seraphic love and was found worthy to bear in thy flesh the marks of our Lord’s Passion. Have pity on us who are so much in need of God’s Mercy, and obtain for us through thy merits and intercession, the special favor which we now fervently implore (mention request). …..
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
Pray for us, Saint Gemma, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. O God, Who fashioned thy servant, Saint Gemma, into a likeness of Thy Crucified Son, grant us through her intercession the favor that we humbly request, and through the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Thy Son, may we be united with You for all eternity. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
DAY 2
Preface: Oh most Divine Lord, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to your servant, St Gemma Galgani, whose intercession we are now imploring.
O worthy Spouse of the Lamb of God and faithful virgin St Gemma, you preserved the innocence and splendor of virginity, giving to the world a bright example of purity and the most exalted virtues. Look down with pity from thy high place in heaven upon us who confide in thee, as we implore thee for the favor we so ardently desire (mention request).
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
Pray for us, Saint Gemma, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. O God, Who fashioned thy servant, Saint Gemma, into a likeness of Thy Crucified Son, grant us through her intercession the favor that we humbly request, and through the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Thy Son, may we be united with You for all eternity. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
DAY 3
Preface: Oh most Divine Lord, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to your servant, St Gemma Galgani, whose intercession we are now imploring.
O most loving virgin St. Gemma, with a fervent love for Jesus you suffered immensely for the conversion of sinners as a victim for sin, and you loved others intensely out of love for God. Do not forget us then, who remain here on earth, and look down with kindness on those of us who implore thee in the confident hope of receiving this favor through thy loving intercession (mention request)
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
Pray for us, Saint Gemma, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. O God, Who fashioned thy servant, Saint Gemma, into a likeness of Thy Crucified Son, grant us through her intercession the favor that we humbly request, and through the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Thy Son, may we be united with You for all eternity. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Day 4
Preface: Oh most Divine Lord, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to your servant, St Gemma Galgani, whose intercession we are now imploring.
Blessed St Gemma, you who by the will of God suffered the loss of both of your parents at a young age, and whom also suffered countless pains in body and spirit, teach us how to sacrifice and to suffer out of love for God, that we too may expiate our sins here on earth, and thereby become more worthy of the infinite treasure of being united with God in heaven.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
Pray for us, Saint Gemma, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. O God, Who fashioned thy servant Saint Gemma into a likeness of Thy Crucified Son, grant us through her intercession the favor that we humbly request (mention request), and through the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Thy Son, may we be united with You for all eternity. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Day 5
Preface: Oh most Divine Lord, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to your servant, St Gemma Galgani, whose intercession we are now imploring.
Oh, glorious St Gemma, for years you greatly desired to enter the consecrated religious life, but God desired otherwise, telling you after many years that it was not to be, and thereby causing you such great disappointment. Yet, you accepted this great sacrifice and resigned yourself to the will of God. Teach us then, dear St Gemma, to accept the sacrifices and sufferings that God permits in our lives, especially those that are very much against our own will and desires.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
Pray for us, Saint Gemma, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. O God, Who fashioned thy servant, Saint Gemma, into a likeness of Thy Crucified Son, grant us through her intercession, the favor that we humbly request (mention request), and through the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Thy Son may we be united with You for all eternity. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Day 6
Preface: Oh most Divine Lord, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to your servant, St Gemma Galgani, whose intercession we are now imploring.
Beloved Gem of Christ St Gemma, whose heart was all on fire for the love of God, teach us to love God with all our hearts, minds, and souls, and fervently place God above all things, so “that where our treasure is, there also will our heart be.” (Matt 6:21)
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
Pray for us, Saint Gemma, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. O God, Who fashioned thy servant, Saint Gemma, into a likeness of Thy Crucified Son, grant us through her intercession, the favor that we humbly request (mention request), and through the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Thy Son may we be united with You for all eternity. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Day 7
Preface: Oh most Divine Lord, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to your servant, St Gemma Galgani, whose intercession we are now imploring.
Oh holy saint of the Passion of Jesus, St Gemma, as a soul victim you were always pleading for the salvation of sinners. Obtain for us, we beg you, not only the grace that we are asking, if it would be God’s will (mention request) but most importantly obtain for us the conversion and salvation of our souls, so that someday we may be united with Jesus, Mary and you for all eternity.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
Pray for us, Saint Gemma, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. O God, Who fashioned thy servant, Saint Gemma, into a likeness of Thy Crucified Son, grant us through her intercession, the favor that we humbly request, and through the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Thy Son may we be united with You for all eternity. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Day 8
Preface: Oh most Divine Lord, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to your servant, St Gemma Galgani, whose intercession we are now imploring.
Oh most fervent St Gemma, so many times you shed countless tears over your sins and sought constantly to do penance and to make reparation for them. We who are so inclined to pamper ourselves, always seeking to gratify our senses and excuse ourselves from every penance, help us to recognize the infinite sufferings that Jesus endured for our sins, and all the pains we caused Him, and with the Passion of Jesus in mind, obtain for us a great sorrow and desire to never commit such sins again.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
Pray for us, Saint Gemma, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. O God, Who fashioned thy servant Saint Gemma into a likeness of Thy Crucified Son, grant us through her intercession the favor that we humbly request (mention request), and through the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Thy Son, may we be united with You for all eternity. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Day 9
Preface: Oh most Divine Lord, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to your servant, Saint Gemma Galgani, whose intercession we are now imploring.
Oh most lovable St Gemma, we ask you to be our patroness and special friend today and always. Assist us in our daily spiritual and material needs and teach us to know, love, and serve the Lord our God with all our hearts. Accompany us, along with our guardian Angel, in all our ways, and guide us lovingly to Heaven. Assist us at the time of our death along with Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, and plead our cause before God, and trusting in His great mercy and the Passion of Jesus thy Spouse, obtain for us the salvation of our souls, and also the favor that we now humbly request (mention request).
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
Pray for us, Saint Gemma, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. O God, Who fashioned thy servant, Saint Gemma, into a likeness of Thy Crucified Son, grant us through her intercession the favor that we humbly request, and through the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Thy Son, may we be united with You for all eternity. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
