St Gabriel of OLS

St. Gabriel was named Francis Possenti when he was born. He was born to a rich and important family. He loved to be around people and enjoyed going to parties and celebrations. When he was young, he became really sick, not just once but twice. Both times, he promised Mary, Jesus' Mother, that if she helped him get better, he would become a priest. He was miraculously healed from both his illnesses, but both times he did not become a priest. When he was 18 years old, he saw a procession with a picture of the Sorrowful Mother. It was as if the eyes of the picture were fixed on him, and then he heard a voice saying that this world was no longer for him. After that he knew he was supposed to give his life to Jesus and he joined the Passionist Order. That is when he took the name Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother. Gabriel is remembered for his obedience, humility, and mostly for his great joy for Jesus and Mary. He shared this joy so happily with all those around him. He had only been a Passionist priest for 4 years when he died of tuberculosis (a sickness in his lungs) at the age of 24.