27TH FEBRUARY 2003
ST GABRIEL OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS...
CONFESSOR( 1838--1862)))
LIFE:
Francis Possenti, a native of Assisi (Italy) recieved Baptism at the
same font at which his great namesake had been christened over 600
years before.His father was supreme court judge at Spoleto, and a deeply
religious man;before attending Mass each day morning , he would spend an
hour in prayer and reading, and each evening he would pay a visit to the
Eucharistic Lord.
Young Francis , who was the 11th among 13 children, lost his christian
mother through death, when he was four.His father was vigilant to instruct
his children in the catechism and to familarise them with the meaning of
the lives of Christ and saints.Under a cleric tutor,Francis` studies
progressed well.Although engrossed and delighted by social life, drama,
opera and concerts ,Francis did not permit these to crowd out his prayers
and sacramental life or tender his devotion to our Lady..
On two occasions he had experienced the chastening influence of serious
sickness and each time he had promised Mary that , if cured , he would
enter a religious order.Yet , after recovering he had procastinated .When
there came a devastating out break of cholera in 1856, people turned to
Madonna and a procession held with her ancient image as they promised
.When Francis knelt among the people as the image passed , his eyes were
caught and held by those of the Madonna; her gaze seemed to penetrate his
soul and as her lips moved he heard himself sternly addressed : ""Francis,
why do u tarry in the world? Arise and make haste and become a
religious!"".This time there was no delay, and he entered the Passionist
Order as Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows.
As a novice he was most meticulous in observing every
detal of the rule; he possessed wonderful memory and spirit of prayer, and
aws particularly conspicuous for his fervent devotion to Our Lord`s
passion,to the blessed Sacrament, and to our Lady`s Sorrows.
He died on 27 February 1862 at Abruzzi, Italy of tuberculosis. So many
conversions and miracles were effected through his intercession after death
that the process of his beatification was begun before the sipulated time.He
was canonized in1920 by Pope Benedict XV ,in presence of his aged brother.
PATRONAGE:
chief patron of today`s youth and particularly of the interior lives of
the young novices and professed religious.
Abruzzi region of Italy, Catholic Action, clerics, students,
REFLECTION::
"" If there is any fibre in my heart that does not beat for the
love of God,I am ready to pluck it out and to destroy it without
delay"" ( St.Gabriel)Prayer to Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of SorrowsDear Saint, your
very name recalls your particular devotion to Christ the Man of Sorrows and to Mary
the Afflicted Mother. You died young as a Passionist religious but left to us all an
example of a life of Christlike sacrifice. Intercede for our seminarians and young
religious who are in desperate need of your patronage amid today's sensual and selfish
world. Amen.
Oh! sweet Eucharist ! & beloved Mother keep me as thy own.....
S.THOMAS
NOTTINGHAM
ENGLAND
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