About St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows
St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows (1838–1862), born Francesco Possenti in Assisi, Italy, was a Passionist seminarian whose joyful holiness and deep love for Jesus Christ made him one of the Church’s most beloved young saints. Although he enjoyed a comfortable and lively youth, he experienced a profound conversion after hearing God’s call and entered the Passionist Congregation.
As a religious, Gabriel developed an extraordinary devotion to the Passion of Christ and to the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title Our Lady of Sorrows. He embraced prayer, humility, obedience, and cheerful sacrifice, offering every aspect of his life to God.
Although he died of tuberculosis at only twenty-four years of age before being ordained a priest, his reputation for holiness spread rapidly. Numerous miracles were attributed to his intercession, and Pope Benedict XV canonized him in 1920.
St. Gabriel is the patron saint of Catholic youth, seminarians, students, clerics, and those seeking purity and holiness. His life reminds us that sanctity is possible at any age through love of Christ and devotion to His Blessed Mother.
His feast day is celebrated each year on February 27.
Who was St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows?
St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows was a nineteenth-century Passionist seminarian known for his joyful spirit, deep devotion to Jesus Christ, and tender love for the Blessed Virgin Mary. He is one of the youngest canonized saints of modern times.
What is St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows the patron saint of?
St. Gabriel is the patron saint of:
- Catholic youth
- Seminarians
- Students
- Clerics
- Abruzzo, Italy
- Those seeking purity and holiness
What is the St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows Novena for?
The novena is prayed to ask for:
- Growth in holiness
- Joy in following Christ
- Purity of heart
- Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows
- Strength during suffering
- Vocations to the priesthood and religious life
- Special personal intentions
When should I pray the St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows Novena?
You may pray the novena at any time during the year. Many Catholics begin it on February 18, concluding on his feast day, February 27.
How do you pray the St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows Novena?
Pray the novena prayer each day for nine consecutive days. Present your personal intention, then conclude with:
- Pray One: Our Father…
- Pray One: Hail Mary…
- Pray One: Glory Be…
Why is St. Gabriel so devoted to Our Lady of Sorrows?
As a Passionist religious, St. Gabriel meditated deeply on the Passion of Christ and the sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He believed that devotion to Our Lady leads us closer to Jesus and helps us faithfully carry our own crosses.
What can we learn from St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows?
St. Gabriel teaches us that holiness is achieved through joyful obedience, prayer, purity, humility, and complete trust in God. His life encourages young people and adults alike to respond generously to God’s call.
When is the feast day of St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows?
The Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows each year on February 27.
| Novena Begins: | February 18 |
| Feast Day: | February 27 |
Patron Saint of Students, Youth, Seminarians
Day 1 – St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord, You gave St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows the special grace of entering deeply into the Passion of Your Son and the sorrows of His Blessed Mother. Through his intercession, teach us to contemplate the mystery of our salvation with faith, hope, and love.
May we follow his example by embracing our daily crosses with joy, trusting always in Your providence, and growing in devotion to Jesus Christ and Our Lady of Sorrows.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 2 – St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord, You gave St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows the special grace of entering deeply into the Passion of Your Son and the sorrows of His Blessed Mother. Through his intercession, teach us to contemplate the mystery of our salvation with faith, hope, and love.
May we follow his example by embracing our daily crosses with joy, trusting always in Your providence, and growing in devotion to Jesus Christ and Our Lady of Sorrows.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 3 – St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord, You gave St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows the special grace of entering deeply into the Passion of Your Son and the sorrows of His Blessed Mother. Through his intercession, teach us to contemplate the mystery of our salvation with faith, hope, and love.
May we follow his example by embracing our daily crosses with joy, trusting always in Your providence, and growing in devotion to Jesus Christ and Our Lady of Sorrows.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 4 – St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord, You gave St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows the special grace of entering deeply into the Passion of Your Son and the sorrows of His Blessed Mother. Through his intercession, teach us to contemplate the mystery of our salvation with faith, hope, and love.
May we follow his example by embracing our daily crosses with joy, trusting always in Your providence, and growing in devotion to Jesus Christ and Our Lady of Sorrows.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 5 – St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord, You gave St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows the special grace of entering deeply into the Passion of Your Son and the sorrows of His Blessed Mother. Through his intercession, teach us to contemplate the mystery of our salvation with faith, hope, and love.
May we follow his example by embracing our daily crosses with joy, trusting always in Your providence, and growing in devotion to Jesus Christ and Our Lady of Sorrows.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 6 – St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord, You gave St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows the special grace of entering deeply into the Passion of Your Son and the sorrows of His Blessed Mother. Through his intercession, teach us to contemplate the mystery of our salvation with faith, hope, and love.
May we follow his example by embracing our daily crosses with joy, trusting always in Your providence, and growing in devotion to Jesus Christ and Our Lady of Sorrows.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 7 – St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord, You gave St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows the special grace of entering deeply into the Passion of Your Son and the sorrows of His Blessed Mother. Through his intercession, teach us to contemplate the mystery of our salvation with faith, hope, and love.
May we follow his example by embracing our daily crosses with joy, trusting always in Your providence, and growing in devotion to Jesus Christ and Our Lady of Sorrows.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 8 – St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord, You gave St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows the special grace of entering deeply into the Passion of Your Son and the sorrows of His Blessed Mother. Through his intercession, teach us to contemplate the mystery of our salvation with faith, hope, and love.
May we follow his example by embracing our daily crosses with joy, trusting always in Your providence, and growing in devotion to Jesus Christ and Our Lady of Sorrows.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 9 – St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord, You gave St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows the special grace of entering deeply into the Passion of Your Son and the sorrows of His Blessed Mother. Through his intercession, teach us to contemplate the mystery of our salvation with faith, hope, and love.
May we follow his example by embracing our daily crosses with joy, trusting always in Your providence, and growing in devotion to Jesus Christ and Our Lady of Sorrows.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Leave us your prayers…