Saint Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother

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St Gabriel of the Addolorata.jpgO good St. Gabriel, God inspired you to love the passion of Jesus as it was reflected in the heart of Mary, his mother. By her side, you stood beneath the cross of Jesus, gazing on him as she did, and sharing her compassion. O St. Gabriel, we wish, like you, to grow in love for God and all his people. Remember us in the trials of our life. Remember especially those who are young and in need.

Support us, all our days, by your holy prayers. And when this life is done, may we join you in heaven in the joyful company of Jesus and Mary. Amen.

Francesco Possenti's love of Jesus Christ was mediated through Mary. No wonder that his name in religion would be "Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother."

Francesco Possenti was born on 1 March 1838 in Assisi; he was the 11th child. On 21 September 1856,  Francesco received the religious habit of the Congregation of the Passion (the Passionists) and was given the name "Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother." His love for the Mother of God under the title of "Sorrowful Mother" was intimate, intense and beautiful. She taught him what it meant to be at the foot of the Cross. In few years on earth Gabriel cultivated a profound love for the Christ Crucified. At a young age Gabriel was diagnosed with tuberculosis, dying only days before he could be ordained a priest.

On this date in 1862 at 24 and 6 years a Passionist, Brother Gabriel died. Pope Benedict XV canonized him on May 13, 1920 and declared him a patron of Catholic youth. In 1959, Blessed Pope John XXIII named him the patron of the Abruzzi region, where he lived prior to death. He's also revered by seminarians, novices and those with an abiding desire to be with Christ.

It was through Gabriel's intercession that Saint Gemma Galgani was cured.

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Paul A. Zalonski is from New Haven, CT. He is a member of the Fraternity of Communion and Liberation, a Catholic ecclesial movement and an Oblate of Saint Benedict. Contact Paul at paulzalonski[at]yahoo.com.

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This page contains a single entry by Paul Zalonski published on February 27, 2011 11:20 AM.

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