February 27: Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows
Surrendered to the love of Mary
The brief life of Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, marked by contagious joy and an intense love for the Virgin Mary, left a profound imprint: he remains in the history of the Church as the “Saint of the Smile,” capable of transforming fragility and suffering into a hope that touched everyone around him.
Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows (Francesco Possenti) was born in Assisi on March 1, 1838, into a large and well-to-do family in central Italy. Raised in a cultured and deeply religious environment, he absorbed from childhood the value of prayer and trust in God, inspired by the example of his parents. His father, an official of the Papal States, moved to various cities for important assignments, bringing the entire family with him until they eventually settled in Spoleto.
His childhood was marked by suffering: while still a boy, he lost his mother. Thus, the image of his mother “in heaven” became intertwined with that of the Virgin Mary, toward whom he nurtured a tender and trusting affection that would become the center of his inner life.
During adolescence, he was a bright and lively young man. Gifted with quick intelligence, a sociable spirit, and refined taste, he enjoyed company, music, theater, and outdoor activities. He frequented high society and took advantage of the opportunities his privileged condition could offer. At the same time, he actively participated in the life of the Church.
Behind this apparent lightheartedness, however, was a deeply sensitive soul. A series of family bereavements gradually unsettled the balance of his serene life. The loss of several siblings and, above all, the sudden death of his sister Maria Luisa from cholera struck Francesco profoundly, leading him to question the meaning of worldly joys and the direction his life should take. He began to detach himself from worldly concerns and to move gradually toward religious consecration.
The decisive moment came in the summer of 1856, during a solemn Marian procession in Spoleto. Amid the crowd, as the image of Our Lady passed before the faithful, he felt personally called to follow Christ more closely.
A few days later, he left Spoleto and traveled to Loreto to entrust his decision to the Virgin. After careful reflection, he chose to enter the Passionists, taking in the novitiate the name Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows as a sign of his deep bond with the Sorrowful Mother of Christ.
Religious life brought him new joy and renewed fervor. Gabriel embraced community discipline wholeheartedly, dedicating himself fervently to prayer, study, and service to the poor. Transferred to Abruzzo to continue his formation in preparation for the priesthood, his health grew increasingly fragile. The hardships, combined with a delicate constitution and voluntary penances, weakened his body. Stricken with tuberculosis, he faced suffering with faith and abandonment to God until his death on February 27, 1862, before he had yet reached the age of twenty-five.