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St Gabriel of Our Lady Of The Sorrows
1995
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| SAINT GABRIEL POSSENTI (1838
- 1862) Gabriel's father was a lawyer, leading Catholic layman and governor of Assisi, begetting thirteen children by his wife before she died. Orphaned at four, the boy (whose name was originally Francis) was raised by Jesuits and studied at the Jesuit college at Spoleto. There he was known for his love of clothes, dancing, the theatre, and was called "Il Damerino" ("The Ladies' Man"). Twice in his teens he was afflicted with serious illnesses, and on both occasions vowed to enter the priesthood if cured, but on recovery delayed his decision. In 1856 (when he was eighteen) an epidemic of cholera broke out. A Holy Picture of Our Lady of the Sorrows was paraded through the streets, which put a quick end to the plague, but as it passed Francis, the Blessed Mother looked at and spoke to him. He immediately joined the Passionist Order, taking the name "Gabriel of Our Lady of the Sorrows". He was, by all accounts, a model novice; cheerful, humble and obedient. He was committed to prayer and penance (his body wrapped at his own request in chains set with sharp points to mortify his sinful flesh) and specifically devoted to the Sorrows of Mary, but the shadow of serious illness was never far away. His overwhelming desire to become a priest was never fulfilled. After a short but exemplary religious life, he died from tuberculosis at the early age of twenty-four. He was canonized in 1920 and nominated as Patron saint of college students and youths. Also called Gabriele dell 'Addolorata, immense numbers of pilgrims have visited his shrine. Some of his writings, mainly letters, have been published. Feast day February 27 |
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