Francesco was born and baptized on March 1, 1838, in Assisi, Italy, the 11th of 13 children to Sante and Agnes Possenti.  His father worked for the local government but was soon transferred to Montalta and then Spoleto where he was appointed legal assessor.  Shortly after, they experienced much loss with the death of their baby girl, Rosa, 7-year-old Adele, and the mother.

Growing up, he was well liked but also could be a difficult child with bouts of anger.  Later, he took great care in his appearance, becoming a “ladies’ man”, and was known as “the dancer”.

He was educated by the Christian Brothers and then the Jesuits in the town’s college where he excelled, especially in Latin.

In his early teens, he became severely ill and prayed to enter the religious life if he recovered but soon forgot his promise upon healing.  The same happened when he narrowly missed a stray bullet during a hunting expedition.  Once again, he became ill with a throat abscess, and made the same promise, but this time he actually set the process in motion to join the Jesuits.  Tragedy struck when his sister, who had cared for the family, died of cholera, and his religious proceedings stopped.

After the cholera epidemic, a procession of the ancient icon of the Virgin Mary was organized by the civic authorities.  As the image passed by, he felt an interior voice asking why he remained in the world.  He sought the advice of a priest and entered the Passionist Congregation.  His father denied permission, used several relatives to dissuade him, but soon saw his intentions were sincere.

At 18, he arrived at the novitiate and 2 days later received the habit along with the name “Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows”.  A year later he pronounced his vows.  Him and fellow students moved several times ending in the Monastery of Isola del Gran Sasso.

His superiors had great expectations as he prepared for priesthood.  He was an excellent student and made great progress in his spiritual life in a short time but then showed symptoms of tuberculosis.  The news gave him joy instead of sadness as he had prayed for a slow death to prepare himself spiritually.  He remained cheerful and kept up all usual practices and became a great inspiration to his fellow students.

As he worsened, he asked for his spiritual writings to be burnt for he feared they tempted him with pride.  Only his letters survived.

Just before ordination as a priest, he died in the early hours of February 27, 1862, surrounded by companions and smiling peacefully.  He was 23 years old.  Those present witnessed him sit up in bed and become radiant as he reached out to an unseen figure.

A girl that had been in love with him, hoping for engagement, Maria Panachetti, attended his beatification and canonization.

For God’s Glory.