Dear Friends:
FEAST OF St. GABRIEL:  Feb. 27th was the Feastday of our beloved St. Gabriel, a Passionist student who died at 24 in the Abruzzo area, Italy. His director was Fr. Norbert Casinelli, a candidate for sainthood, also. Our monastery church is one of the places where great devotion to Gabriel was first fostered. The little chapel which houses his statue and shrine was added in 1910. Many people were coming here to pray to Blessed Gabriel. His canonization was delayed till 1920 because of World War I. Fr. Norbert was alive for Gabriel’s beatification.  Returning from that ceremony, one Passionist said to Fr. Norbert: “With all of the great Passionist missionaries, bishops, preachers, why are they canonizing this kid?” “If you lived with him, you would know why. He loved everyone and especially the Blessed Mother.” Norbert said.