February 27 · Catholic · traditional calendar
Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows
Gabriel Possenti entered the Passionist congregation at eighteen and took the name Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows. He died of tuberculosis in 1862 before ordination, so the imported description of him as a Passionist priest was incorrect.
- Patronage
- youth, students, young religious, seminarians
- Era
- 1838–1862
From Francesco to Gabriel
Born Francesco Possenti, Gabriel grew up in central Italy and was known as an intelligent and lively young man. Personal loss and illness deepened his religious calling. At eighteen he entered the Passionists and received the name by which he is now remembered.
A vocation cut short
Gabriel's spirituality centered on Christ's Passion and devotion to Mary. He died from tuberculosis on February 27, 1862, before he could be ordained. The Passionists list his beatification in 1908 and canonization in 1920. His life is therefore the story of a young religious in formation, not a priestly ministry.
Sources and references
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