Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows

FRANCIS was the son of Signor Possenti, a lawyer of great talent, who was appointed Governor of Umbria, in Romagna, Italy, when barely twenty years old, and who, before retiring from public service, became Grand Assessor of Spoleto. Francis' mother belonged to one of the best families of Civitanova, in the marches. Both father and mother were distinguished, not only by birth and position, but also for their piety and Christian virtues. Francis was the eleventh of thirteen children. He was born at Assisi on the first day of March, 1838. His father had not yet beenmade Grand Assessor of Spoleto. The child was baptized on the day of his birth, at the same font where, over six hundred years before, another Francis, the great patriarch of the city and glorious saint, was baptized. Before he was quite four years old Francis lost his pious and beloved mother. Four of her children had died before her. Signor Possenti, though stricken with grief at the untimely death of his tender and affectionate wife, neglected neither the important duties of a governor nor the responsible obligations of a father. He entrusted the management of his household, as well as the care of his nine children, to a responsible and experienced lady named Pacifica. The education of Francis was begun by Pacifica, a tutor, and his pious father.