Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows
In the town of Spoleto, Italy, the young Francesco Possenti was known as the dancer. He was a lad for the parties, for which he spent several hours preparing because he loved to have the latest clothes and fashion, and the best haircut. When he wasn’t at a party, he was out at the theatre or hunting or reading a novel. It is no wonder his father couldn’t believe him when he said he wanted to join the Passionists. St Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows (or of the Sorrowful Mother ) was born Francesco (Francis) Possenti on March 1, 1838, in Assisi, Italy, the eleventh of thirteen children of Sante Possenti, a civil servant, and Agnes Frisciotti. Sante was transferred shortly afterwards, so the family had to settle in Spoleto. Here they were devastated by multiple misfortunes: the death of two daughters and that of Agnes, Francesco’s mother. Sante Possenti nevertheless managed to lead his family through the tragedy, raising them in Christian virtue. He spent an hour in prayer every mornin...
