St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows
Francesco Possenti, known in the Passionists as Gabriel de l’Addolorata.
Several years ago I was at an antique show and drawn to a cabinet containing odds and ends. I spied a theca (reliquary) containing a large sliver of bone, marked “B. Gabriel e Virg Dolorosa“. The papers accompanying it were yellowed with age. I grabbed the relic, and paid about $35 for it. The dealer had no idea as to what it was, and told me it was found amongst some jewelry at an estate sale. I keep it in a bronze gothic reliquary, and it stands next to me now as I write this. St. Gabriel, pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
[Relics must never be bought or sold, although some people innocently purchased them to remove them from profanation.]
St. Gabriel’s feast day is February 27.
February 27th, 2008 at 8:42 am
How blessed you are indeed to be in the possession of a relic of such a fine saint! I am sure that St. Gabriel wanted you to have this. Please, please remember me before him, if you wouldn’t mind taking just a moment and recommending to him my intentions. I need all the help I can get!
February 27th, 2008 at 9:03 am
That’s unbelievable!
“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.”
- Saint Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother
February 27th, 2008 at 11:29 am
Terry–you were drawn to the relic because God wanted it safe with someone who understood what it was–you lucky! It would be so cool to have a real saint 1-st class relic.
February 27th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
So very glad that you were able to redeem my dear friend’s relic. You probably read the same little biography of Saint Gabriel that I did as a boy. Did you? Do you remember the title? I do.