February 27
St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows
St. Gabriel was born in 1838 in Assisi, Italy. He was given the name Francis at birth after the great saint, St. Francis of Assisi. His mother died when he was only 4 years old so his father brought in a governess to look after Francis and his brothers and sisters.
Francis grew to be very handsome and popular. People loved to have him come to their parties but he was often bored. He was searching for something with more meaning. Twice he became so sick, he almost died. He prayed to the Blessed Mother as he lay ill that he would become a religious if she would only cure him. Both times he recovered but he did not keep his promise.
Then one day, Francis saw the image of the Sorrowful Mother being carried in procession. It appeared as if her eyes were looking straight at him and at the same time, he heard a whispering in his heart that the world was no longer for him. At that point, he decided to join the monastery of the Passionates.
He took the name Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother. His trademark was joy and his virtues were humility and obedience. He brought happiness to everyone around him. The saint died after only four years in the monastery in 1862. H was only 24. He was declared a saint by Pope Benedict XV in 1920.
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