As her illness had taken a toll on her strength, Saint Gemma Galgani was not able to return to school. She remained at home and taught her sisters and brothers.

At her beatification, one of her brothers said, "Gemma always brought the olive branch." She lovingly cared for the needs, both spiritual and physical, of her family, often at the neglect of herself. She had no use for fancy clothes, and adorned herself in simple, extremely austere black dresses.

One day to please a relative, not wanting to offend him by refusing his gift, Saint Gemma Galgani wore a gold watch and a gold cross and chain when she went outdoors.

When she returned home, who should come to her but her Guardian Angel. He scolded her: "Remember, the spouse of the Crucified King should wear no ornaments but thorns and crosses." She immediately pledged never to wear nor speak of things of the world.

She went back to the severity of the clothes she had been wearing, and when she ventured out, she donned a simple black cloak to cover a shapeless black dress and a straw hat. This did not detract from her fine patrician looks, but instead enhanced them.

Her Guardian Angel stressed obedience! He would repeat over and over again: "Obedience! You must obey! You must be like a dead body; whatever is asked of you, you must obey quickly and joyfully!"

He was not above reproaching her, scolding Saint Gemma Galgani: "If you do not obey, I will not show myself to you, again."

He taught her that to disobey would always lead to sin. He told her there was no shorter road to heaven than through obedience!