Feast of St. Gemma

Born in 1878, St. Gemma Galgani "always had a smile for everyone." She was deemed too sickly to become a nun, but continued to minister to the poor. In 1899, the signs of the stigmata began and continued every Thursday night through Saturday morning until the last three years of her life. At that point her confessor told her not to accept it anymore, and they stopped. She became a saint in 1940.

My 4th grade teacher was named Sister Gemma. She was also my 5th, 6th, and 7th grade teacher at Our Lady of Sorrows School in Vestal, NY. She was...how can I say this...mean. One time, I saw her confiscate a plastic water pistol from a kid and CRUSH IT WITH ONE HAND. Do you think that's easy? Then try it....