St Gemma and Guardian Angel

I am pleased to present my latest Icon of the very Dear Saint Gemma. It was a commission piece, which I just completed.
Gemma is one of many interesting Saints(just as there are many interesting souls in all of time! Including ourselves.)

Eldest daughter of a poor pharmacist; her mother died when Gemma was seven, her father when the girl was eighteen, and she took over the care of her seven brothers and sisters. This meant she was unable to finish school.
Her health was always poor, though she was miraculously healed of spinal meningitis, by praying to The Sacred Heart of Jesus, and asked for the intercession of Saints Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, and Saint Marguerite Marie Alacoque.
Though she very much wanted to become a Nun, they were concerned that she was too sickly(many convents have chores, and daily activities, and aiding communities, that make it helpful if you join relatively healthy), as well as potentially making up some of her supernatural experiences.
Of these, she wrote in her diary, visits from Christ, The Blessed Mother, Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, and repeatedly, satan, tempting her to disrespect all things Holy(such as spitting on a cross, ripping up rosary beads, etc). Furthermore, satan was physically harmful to her, and she would write of times where satan would appear to her, and beat her. Proof of this, were actual scars and bruises.
In this suffering, and in many moments of her life, she was allowed to see and speak to her Guardian Angel, who would comfort her.
She would also show marks of the stigmata(or similar bleeding wounds on her hands, feet, side and forehead, where Christ bore his original wounds). Though they would only manifest from Thursday evening, until Friday afternoon,(June 1899 and continuing into 1901) which again, mimicked when Christ suffered his suffering and death long ago.
In 1903, due to increased problems with tuberculosis, she died. But written accounts of her life, by her spiritual director(Priest and good friend) Germanus Ruoppolo and her diary, are availble now for us to read.
And though it may seem strange, when we hear of a person, who's life was so short, so full of pain, yet also healed of something else they suffered from, there are always greater reasons why we suffer. Some of these, we may never know until we go on into the next part of eternity. But devout Catholics believe no suffering is wasted, and that we can offer our pains to Christ, in union with what He suffered, in exchange for someone else, somewhere, who is also suffering, to find relief. This is also what many people do when they are too sick, or in too much pain to say a prayer for the sad and hurting in the world.
Perhaps, Gemma had much relief to give, by dealing with the hardships she endured, and maybe that relief even ressonates, to this day.

In essence, suffering isn't in vain, and can have great reward, if we trust in God to use it for the greater good.

size:8x10 inches on Bristol Board
media: mixed

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