Prayer for the Feast of St. Gabriel of our Lady of Sorrows

The feast of St. Gabriel of our Lady of Sorrows is celebrated by Holy Mother Church on February 27.  Born Francis Possenti to a devout Italian family, St. Gabriel was a pious and kind person, even from boyhood.  Although he was quite intelligent and could have excelled in worldly pursuits, he was drawn to the religious life, feeling the Blessed Virgin Mary calling him.  Staring in the eyes of a statue of our Lady, he felt her speak, "Why! thou art not made for the world! What art thou doing in the world? Hasten, become a religious!” From that moment Francis' life changed.  He immediately entered the strict Passionist Order and took the name St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows. 

Here St. Gabriel  lived a life of silent joy, using each act of suffering to rid himself of any sin and to grow closer to Our Lord.  He sought constantly to honor the Blessed Mother, often contemplating her amidst her sorrows, which filled him with great grief of heart.  At the age of 24, joyfully gripping his image of the Crucifixion scene, St. Gabriel experienced a painful death caused by consumption.  During his life with the Passionists, St. Gabriel lived a quiet life devoted to Our Lady and the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  Meditating on the Passion, he strove to draw closer to God, leaving his worldly desires behind. 

With Septuagesima upon us and Lent nearing, may we imitate St. Gabriel, turning with greater attention to our Lord and Lady and detaching ourselves from those things that draw us from God and our most Blessed Mother.  As we pray the novena below, may we keep the image of our Lady of Sorrows in our minds, striving to love her ever more.  To end the novena below on the vigil of St. Gabriel's feast, begin praying it on February 18. 

"Love Mary!… She is loveable, faithful, constant. She will never let herself be outdone in love, but will ever remain supreme. If you are in danger, she will hasten to free you. If you are troubled, she will console you. If you are sick, she will bring you relief. If you are in need, she will help you. She does not look to see what kind of person you have been. She simply comes to a heart that wants to love her. She comes quickly and opens her merciful heart to you, embraces you and consoles and serves you. She will even be at hand to accompany you on the trip to eternity.” --St. Gabriel of our Lady of Sorrows

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Prayer to St. Gabriel

O angelic young Gabriel, who, with your ardent love for Jesus Crucified and your compassion for Our Lady of Sorrows, were on earth a mirror of innocence and an example of every virtue; we turn to you full of confidence to implore your aid. Oh! How many evil things and afflictions O how many dangers, assail our young people from every side, seeking to make them lose the faith. You, who lived always a life of faith, who amongst the temptations of the world maintained purity and virginity; turn your eyes to us, cast us a compassionate and pitying glance! Help us to have the grace to persevere in faith; we invoke your name; we cannot doubt the effactiousness of your patronage! In full confidence of our hope in you, we pray, O Sweet Saint, to obtain this particular grace for the greater glory of God and for the good of souls (here mention your request). Finally, obtain for us from Jesus Christ Crucified, through Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows, resignation and peace so that we might always live the Christian life, throughout all the times of this present life, so that we might one day be happy with you in the presence of our Heavenly Father. Amen

God bless!

+JMJ+