Born in Italy into a large family in 1838, St Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows lost his mother when he was only four years old. He was educated by the Jesuits and survived two serious illnesses as a child. Feeling called to religious life, he was unfortunately turned down by the Jesuits due to his young age of 17. After his sister died of cholera, his call to enter the religious life became even stronger. He was accepted by the Passionists. He was known for his love for the poor, for his devout prayer life, and for his kindness toward others. After four years of studies, he contracted tuberculosis. He patiently and quietly accepted his sufferings. He died in 1862 at the age of 24. He was canonized in 1920 by Pope Benedict XV. He was declared a patron saint of Catholic youth and of students studying for the priesthood. In 1959, Pope John XXIII declared him to be patron saint of the Abruzzi region of Italy, where he spent the last two years of his life.
Isaiah addresses the people of Sodom and Gomorrah today, telling them to wash themselves clean of their sins, that they can instead put aside sins that are a brilliant scarlet red, making them as white as snow. Sodom and Gomorrah are infamous in our day for cities who turned their back to God and who reveled in their sins, making a mockery of God. I know that in the days of 2024 in Jackson there have been a lot of killings and murders. I was driving home at night after being at the prison and at the chancery office at about 9:00 pm. I was stopped at a light on Capital Street and heard what sounded like gun fire and I just about jumped out of my skin. With our own communities torn apart by violence and anger, I wonder what the prophet Isaiah would say to us. What are the things we need to work on as individuals and as a community during our Lenten journey? Perhaps the way St Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows approached the ordinary moments of his life is a good example for us.
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