Gemma Galgani & Other Saints for School (Pluta #3)

Maria Pluta, now a grown-up six-year-old, stood before the mirror in the tiny downstairs bathroom as Mama ran a brush through her chestnut hair. Maria looked at the little girl in the mirror with a great sense of anticipation, as she was excited for her first day of school. The little girl staring back at her wore a freshly pressed uniform, indicative of the first day of school, and her hair was being pulled back into two short braids, to be tied with little elastic bands. 

"There you are," Mama said with a contented sigh. "Let me look at you!"

Maria whirled around obediently and her mother hurriedly ran a hand over her uniform jumper, straightening out the little sleeves of her snow-white shirt and running a damp finger at the space above her upper lip, where the remnants of a blueberry muffin sat, previously undetected. 

"Mama," Maria said, her voice instantly growing quieter. "There are butterflies in my tummy."

Mama looked with compassion on her eldest daughter and knelt down until she was at the little girl's level. 

"Here," she said, reaching into her skirt pocket. "I have something for you."

Maria watched with interest as her mother ruffled through her pocket and extracted a thin card, with the image of a young, dark-haired woman printed atop it. The girl quickly studied the woman's face with curiosity. She was young, pious-looking, with an expression of great peace creasing her face. Her hands were clasped in prayer, immediately reminding Maria of the various saint statues scattered throughout their home. 

"This is a prayer card for you, Maria," Mama said, setting the card in the hands of the girl. "This is Saint Gemma Galgani. She lived in Italy in the 1800s, and she is the patroness of students. Perhaps she can be your friend today."

"What do you mean, Mama?" Maria questioned curiously. 

"The saints are always looking out for you, whether or not you realize it," Mama began. 

"I thought that was Mary's job!" Maria interrupted. 

"It is the job of Mary to watch over you, with Our Lord and the Guardian Angels," Mama continued. "However, it is also the job of saints, particularly those who are especially close to us."

"So today...Gemma will be watching over me?" Maria asked, tilting her head to one side and squinting her deep blue eyes. 

"Yes," Mama answered. "With every step. You have only to ask her for help."

Maria jumped into her mother's arms, the prayer card firmly in her grasp. As the morning passed and it came time for Maria to board the bus, she got on with the prayer card stuck into her little pocket, and it was taken out several times, followed by a quick utterance of four simple words from the child's mouth: "Gemma, pray for me."

And so, Gemma became a dear friend to Maria. As school begins, everyone is invited to enter into a special friendship with the saints, the Friends of G'D! Perhaps you will choose Gemma to ask for help from this year, as she is the patroness of students. But at her side are many others who would like to help you this year! Saint Thomas Aquinas, Saint Scholastica, and Saint Aloyisius Gonzaga are all patrons of students. Saint Edith Stein and Saint Catherine of Alexandria are patronesses of deep-thinking and debating. Perhaps you can call on Saint Albert the Great for help in science, or Francis de Sales in English. And of course, always call upon Saint Joseph of Cupertino for help with testing...these saints will NEVER fail you, and will always be at your side to inspire your mind to find the correct answers. Never ignore the power of their friendship, as they will never leave your side!