Eufemia Gemma Giannini

Who they were

Eufemia Giannini was born in Lucca, Italy, on 27 October 1884, the third of thirteen children. Her family's home often received Saint Gemma Galgani, and after Gemma's death Eufemia entered the new Passionist monastery at Lucca in 1906, taking the name Gemma Magdalene of Jesus.

She became novice mistress, then superior of a new Passionist monastery at Itri, and later founded the Missionary Sisters of Saint Gemma Galgani, a congregation of active life under the rule of Saint Paul of the Cross, which received diocesan approval in 1964 and sent its first sisters to the Congo. She died at Borgonuovo di Camigliano, near Lucca, on 26 August 1971 after years of illness.

The miracles

The Church has not yet approved a miracle in this cause.

Why that counted as sanctity

A Passionist nun formed in Saint Gemma Galgani's circle who founded a missionary congregation in her name.

The cause

Connected on this site

• Gemma Galgani Saint
  “Her family's home often received Saint Gemma Galgani, and after Gemma's death Eufemia entered the new Passionist monastery at Lucca in 1906, taking the name Gemma Magdalene of Jesus.” — this site's research
• Paul of the Cross Saint
  “She became novice mistress, then superior of a new Passionist monastery at Itri, and later founded the Missionary Sisters of Saint Gemma Galgani, a congregation of active life under the rule of Saint Paul of the Cross, which received diocesan approval in 1964 and sent its first sisters to the Congo.” — this site's research