Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows was born March 1, 1838, to a well-to-do family. He was the eleventh of thirteen children in his family. They lived in the town of Assisi where Sante worked for the local government. Gabriel was baptized in the same baptismal font that Francis of Assisi had been baptized. His family moved following his father’s job when he was very young. His mother died when he was four years old. He was taught by Jesuits. He was well-liked and known for his piety. He also did well in school, especially in Latin. He believed when he was called to the religious life. He wanted to join the Jesuits but was refused because he was not 17 yet. After his sister died from cholera, he wanted to enter the religious life even more. His father didn’t give his permission for him to become a Passionist. He was accepted into the Passionist congregation, on September 19, 1856. He lived an ordinary life in the monastery, following the rules of the congregation. He was again an excellent student and made great progress in his spiritual life. He was known for his great devotion to the sorrows of Mary.
He died from tuberculosis at the age of 23 in Isola del Gran Sasso, Italy. He was canonized by Pope Benedict XV in 1920.