February 27

ST. GABRIEL OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS

This lovable saint was born in Assisi, Italy, in 1838. He received the

name Francis at Baptism, in honor of the great St. Francis of Assisi. His

mother died when he was only four. Francis' father sent for a governess to

raise him and the other children.

Francis grew to be very handsome and likable. He was often the most

popular person at a party. He loved to have fun but there was another side

to him, too. Even while having good times, he was sometimes bored. He

couldn't explain why. He seemed to feel in his heart a strong desire for

God and the deeper things of life.

Twice he became so sick he nearly died. Each time he promised Our Lady

that if she would obtain his cure, he would become a religious. He did get

better both times, but he did not keep his promise.

One day, he saw a picture of the Sorrowful Mother that was being

carried in a procession. It seemed that the Blessed Mother was looking

straight at him. At the same time, he heard a voice in his heart telling

him, "Francis, the world is not for you anymore."

That did it. Francis entered the Passionist monastery. He was

eighteen. The name he took was Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother.

Gabriel's great loves became the Holy Eucharist and Mary, the Sorrowful

Mother. He loved to spend time thinking about the passion of Jesus and how

much the Lord had suffered for him. Gabriel also learned to practice two

virtues in a special way: humility and obedience. His special trademark was

joy. He was always happy and spread that happiness to those around him.

After only four years in the Passionist order, Gabriel died on February 27,

1862. He was proclaimed a saint by Pope Benedict XV in 1920.

We should not think only of having good times. We can ask St. Gabriel

to help us find real joy and meaning in our life.