Today, February 27, is the memorial of Saint Gabriel Possenti of Our Lady of Sorrows.
Gabriel embodied worldliness: he was a ladies’ man (he was engaged to two girls at the same time), a well-known partygoer, a fantastic dancer, considered the most fashionable bachelor in town who wore the latest outfits of the time (it took him hours to get dressed for parties). He was also a terrific horseman and an outstanding sharpshooter.
Gabriel’s birth name was Francesco, and he was born in Assisi, Italy in 1838. He became a sickly student later on. He promised that if he got better, he would enter the religious life. He got well, but forgot his promise. He got sick again, made the same promise, got well, and forgot his promise again.
When the banner of Our Lady, Help of Christians was in procession, in a vision he saw the Virgin Mary look at him. Then the Blessed Mother said, “Keep your promise.” This was enough for him to turn away from his old life and joined the Congregation of the Passion or the Passionists.
His family was completely shocked when he told them he was going to become a Passionist monk. Given his reputation, no one believed him. They predicted that if he did join the Passionists, he would give up easily.
He did stay and was given the religious name Gabriel. Once, thieving soldiers swept down through Italy ravaging villages. Brother Gabriel confronted them with his gun and drove them away.
He spent the rest of his short life in prayer, sacrifice, and a devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows.
He died of tuberculosis in 1862 at the age of 23. Many miracles were attributed to him. St. Gemma Galgani herself said that Gabriel cured her.
He was beatified in 1908 by Pope St. Pius X. Pope Benedict XV canonized him in 1920.