~ st gabriel ~
St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother

St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother, C.P., played a very important role in St. Gemma's life. He was a Passionist monk who lived from 1838-1862. He died before Gemma was born and like Gemma was both Italian and passed away in the flower of his youth (age 24).

St. Gemma had an extraordinary devotion to (at that time Venerable Gabriel), whom she considered her Patron and Protector. Gabriel appeared to Gemma many times giving advice and words of encouragement from Heaven. He was instrumental in miraculously healing her. In one of his apparitions to her, he placed the Badge of the Passionists on Gemma's side and said prophetically, "You will be a Passionist."