We celebrate St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows on February 27th. We remember his life, his devotion to the Virgin Mary, and his unwavering faith in God.

The feast day of St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows is an occasion for prayer, reflection, and celebration. It is an opportunity to ask for his intercession and to seek his guidance in our own lives. Many churches hold special Masses or services in honor of St. Gabriel on his feast day, and devotees often gather to share stories and experiences of the saint’s miraculous interventions.

The celebration of St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows’ feast day is a global phenomenon that takes on various forms. Those who hold the saint in high esteem often converge in sacred spaces to render prayers and take part in Masses or special services. Beyond the conventional religious practices, there are secular and cultural customs peculiar to the feast of St. Gabriel.

In Italy, the people have a deep-seated veneration for St. Gabriel, and he is considered one of the patron saints of the Abruzzo region in central Italy. During his feast day, there are processions in his honor, and many devotees visit the church of his order in Isola del Gran Sasso to pray and implore his intercession. Moreover, they often prepare special foods, such as Easter bread and fava beans, which are associated with the saint.

The people of the Philippines also celebrate the feast of St. Gabriel with great fervor. Novenas and processions are held in his honor in many churches, and the faithful offer up special petitions and prayers for his intercession. There are also street parades and cultural festivals that celebrate the saint’s life and teachings.

In Brazil, St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows is known as the patron saint of students. His feast day is commemorated schools and universities across the country. The students arrange different cultural events and activities to celebrate Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows and his legacy of devotion to learning and faith. In addition to Masses and prayers, cultural programs and street parades also take place.

In the United States and other countries, St. Gabriel’s feast day is commemorated by many Catholic parishes and organizations. Some organize special prayer services or Masses, while others hold cultural and community events to mark the occasion. For example, the Italian-American community in Chicago hosts an annual festival to honor St. Gabriel, featuring food, music, and other cultural activities.

Overall, the feast day of St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows is a significant event that is celebrated worldwide with great devotion and respect. Whether through traditional religious practices or secular cultural events, people commemorate the saint’s life and legacy of unwavering faith in God and devotion to the Virgin Mary.

Where are the Relics of Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows?

The relics of St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows are enshrined in various locations around the world. St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrow ‘s body is entombed in the Basilica of St. Lawrence in Santeramo in Colle, a town in the Apulia region of southern Italy.

In addition to his body, there are also many relics associated with St. Gabriel that are kept in churches and religious sites throughout Italy and other countries. For example, a reliquary containing a piece of the saint’s bone is housed in the Chapel of the Crucifix in the Sanctuary of the Holy Face of Manoppello, a shrine in Abruzzo, Italy that is dedicated to the Holy Face of Jesus.

There are also relics of St. Gabriel that are kept in churches and chapels in the United States, such as the National Shrine of St. Gabriel in Connersville, Indiana, and the St. Gabriel Possenti Chapel at the Grotto in Portland, Oregon.

Devotees of St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows often make pilgrimages to these and other sites to pray before the saint’s relics and ask for his intercession. Many believe that the saint’s relics have healing powers and can help them to grow closer to God and live more virtuous lives. As such, the veneration of St. Gabriel and his relics continues to be an important aspect of Catholic devotion and spirituality around the world.

How to take a Pilgrimage to see Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows

If you are interested in taking a pilgrimage to see St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, there are several steps you can take to plan and prepare for your journey.

First, you will need to decide which site or sites associated with the saint you wish to visit. As mentioned, the Basilica of St. Lawrence in Santeramo in Colle, Italy, is the location of the saint’s body, while other sites in Italy and around the world house relics and other items associated with St. Gabriel.

Once you have decided exactly where you want to go, you will need to make travel arrangements. You’ll need to book your flight, train or car rental. Finding the best sleeping arrangements to suite your budget is also a must.

It is also a good idea to research the religious and cultural customs associated with the places you intend to visit so that you are prepared. You’ll want to brief yourself on the history of the place and significance of St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows and his legacy. Learning about the local customs and traditions.

During your pilgrimage, make sure you take time to slow down and really get into the spiritual journey of St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows. Imagine his life like a movie reel for you to mediate on and ask him for plenty of prayers. This will allow you to in tune with the spiritual significance of the sites you are visiting. You should attend Masses, participate in prayer services or novenas, and spend time in quiet reflection.

It’s also important to maintain an open mind and allow yourself to be fully present in the overall experince.  You’ll deepen your connection to St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows and his teachings, and return home with a renewed sense of faith and purpose.

I’ve attached a fun day trip for you so you can explore the surrounding areas while you take your pilgrimage to see St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows. You can see it HERE.

Prayer to Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows

There are many prayers to St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, but one of the most popular is as follows:

“Dear St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, I come to you today seeking your intercession and guidance. You were known for your unwavering devotion to the Virgin Mary and your deep love for Jesus Christ. I ask that you help me to deepen my own faith and commitment to God.

Please pray for me and ask God to grant me the strength and courage to face the challenges of my life. Help me to remain faithful in times of trial and to trust in God’s plan for me. Please bless me with the grace to follow in your footsteps and to love the Virgin Mary with the same fervor and dedication that you did.

I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.”

St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows Novena

A novena is a nine-day prayer cycle that is often used in Catholic tradition as a way of seeking divine intervention and guidance. Many people pray novenas to St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, asking for his help and support in their spiritual journeys.

Here is an example of a novena prayer to St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows:

“O St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, I come to you with a heart full of faith and trust in your intercession. You were a shining example of love and devotion to the Virgin Mary, and your unwavering faith in God inspired many throughout your life.

I ask that you bless me with your powerful intercession and guide me on my own spiritual journey. Help me to deepen my faith and my love for God, and grant me the strength and courage to face the challenges of my life.

Please hear my prayers and intercede on my behalf. I ask that you obtain for me the grace to follow in your footsteps and to love the Virgin Mary with the same fervor and dedication that you did.

O St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, I entrust my prayers to your care and ask that you bring them to the feet of the Lord. Amen.”

In conclusion, St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows is a powerful intercessor and a source of inspiration for many Catholics around the world. His feast day, prayer, and novena are all ways in which people seek his intercession and guidance in their own spiritual lives. As we reflect on his life and teachings, may we be inspired to deepen our own faith and love for God, and to follow in his footsteps of devotion to the Virgin Mary.

Are You Inspired?

Are you inspired by what you’ve learned today? I love sharing the lives of the saints. Check out our blog HERE for more inspiring saints! For example, you can learn about the early Christian martyrs like Saints Felicity and Perpetua or a more contemporary saint like Saint John of God.

Did you know that you can join us every day as we learn about the Saint of the Day? Take a minute to sign up for my daily saint emails that I’ll send you delivered straight to your email inbox. I know people are busy so I keep it short and sweet but also very educational so you can live your life with the saints as I do.

Also, I give you a free screen saver for your phone as an added gift.  Just fill in your details and I’ll send you your new screensaver so you can download it right away. Enjoy!

Well, that’s all for today.

I’ll see you back tomorrow with another Saint of the Day to inspire you!

God bless you,

-Priscilla