Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows

Who they were

Francesco Possenti was born at Assisi on 1 March 1838, eleventh of thirteen children; his father was an official of the Papal States, and the family moved to Spoleto. His mother died when he was four. Educated by the Jesuits, he was lively, elegant and popular, loved dances, the theatre and novels, though drawn to religious life.

After his sister died of cholera in 1855 he thought again, and on 22 August 1856, as the image of Our Lady passed in procession through Spoleto, he heard her say: 'Francesco, don't you see this life is not for you? Follow your vocation.' He entered the Passionists as Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, living in prayer, penance and love of the poor at Isola del Gran Sasso. Stricken with tuberculosis, he died on 27 February 1862, aged 24, clasping an image of the Crucified with Our Lady of Sorrows.

The miracles

The miracles examined for his causes are not described in the sources we have used.

Why that counted as sanctity

A lively young man of the world gave everything to God at Our Lady's call and in a few years reached holiness through ordinary faithfulness and love of Mary's sorrows.

Connected on this site

• Bernard Mary of Jesus Blessed
  “He joined the Passionists, where he was a fellow novice of Francesco Possenti, the future St Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows.” — this site's research