St Gabriel and St Therese

Today’s saint, Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows (born Francesco Possenti 1 March 1838 – 27 February 1862) was an Italian Passionist seminarian. Born to a professional family, he gave up ambitions of a secular career to enter the Passionist congregation. His life in the monastery was not extraordinary, yet he followed the rule of the congregation perfectly and was known for his great devotion to the sorrows of the Virgin Mary. He died from tuberculosis at the age of 23 in Isola del Gran Sasso, in the province of Teramo. He was canonized by Pope Benedict XV in 1920.  Gabriel has been compared to Saint Thérèse.  ‘Both were difficult, willful children, but managed, by the grace of God, to bend those wills to God’s will. Like the French Carmelite, he joined a religious order at a young age – here the Passionists. Both died also at a young age, he at 23, she at 24 – both of complications arising from tuberculosis. Both kept the rule of their Order with great devotion, and offered up their sufferings, maintaining a pleasant, even joyful, disposition, right up to the end. Both were canonized in the 1920’s.’ [Courtesy of catholicinsight.com]

Intercessions:

Cancer: Brian Davis, Bernard (and wife Angela caring for him), Jacqui, Theresa K, Fr Jon Bielowski (Plymouth Diocese), Catherine, Alex (43 with five children), Marie

Illness:  Katy Keeling

Siena, Elara – sick children

David OCDS – housebound

Sophia – blind infant

Grace – troubling ailments, job difficulties, family (deceased mother and health of father)

Lucia – Overwhelmed by weariness

Mark – brain infection

Michael – youngster with occult influences

Defence of the unborn and the elderly

RIP Connor Calleja (20 yrs old, funeral 25 Feb)