Our Blessed Friends #7

“G’D IS WITH YOU”

Giulia Gabrieli

A young girl stood alone in the large cathedral, praying. Her hand rested on the tomb of Saint Anthony of Padua. Suddenly, a woman came up behind the young girl and rested her own hand atop the girl’s. Meeting the woman’s gaze, the girl attempted to read the woman’s eyes. “DON’T WORRY. KEEP GOING. G’D IS WITH YOU,” they seemed to say. The girl had never seen the woman before, and she never did again, but her faith had now been strengthened. So who was that girl, and why is this scene important?

Giulia Gabrieli was born into an Italian family in Bergamo in 1997. The oldest of two, she was very good-natured and friendly. She had a lot of hobbies, including writing and music. Her favorite song was the Laura Pausini interpretation of “Strada Facendo” (“Along the Way”). On the outside, Giulia seemed like a very normal girl. 

But deep inside her heart, Giulia had a burning love for Jesus. Her faith was tested time and time again near the end of her short earthly life, but she never lost it. 

Shortly after being confirmed in 2009, while vacationing with her family, Giulia noticed swelling in one of her hands. When it did not disappear, her parents took her to the doctor, where she was diagnosed with a particularly aggressive form of cancer called sarcoma. The spiritual gifts Giulia had received at confirmation were instantly put to use. At first the treatments were hard for her, and she would find herself in despair, asking “WHERE IS G’D?” But soon, Giulia’s courage was restored, and she was able to continue on with unwavering faith in G’D. This faith was restored on a trip to Padua, where she was reassured by a silent woman that G’D would always be with her.

Through all her pain, Giulia managed to graduate eighth grade with excellent grades. While sick, she put her talents to use and wrote about her experiences. It was published posthumously and titled “A Hook in the Middle of the Sky” - a reference to a line from Giulia’s favorite song. 

Giulia also found hope during her illness through two saints she could pray for the intercession of. The first was Our Lady. Her love for her heavenly mother was fostered through two trips to Medjugorje. The second was Chiara Badano, a young girl who had died of cancer in 1990 and had been beatified. Chiara’s story impacted Giulia in many ways, and she found herself replicating the virtues possessed by Blessed Chiara.The love of G’D was always shining through Giulia’s beautiful smile, and everyone around her noticed, even the doctors! The doctors expected Giulia to be sad and depressed, but instead, Giulia was always joyful. When they had to deliver distressing news to her about her condition, Giulia would comfort them, and tell her “superheroes”, as she called them, how wonderfully they were doing their jobs. 

Giulia died on 19 August 2011 while the Way of the Cross was ending at World Youth Day in Madrid. Her beautiful example of trust in G’D and thanksgiving for even the simplest of things will always remain relevant!