I know a Saint

Sippin my coffee out here on this firearm Friday.

Heard some guy talking about owning a firearm is a sign of Masculinity, makes you a man by owning a gun or (guns) depending on your situation, posting their hardware, wearing garb while posing for pictures. Knowing full well what a Woman is, I see nothing close to Masculinity with the lady leaning on the gun counter. And if one were to ask me, I’d say she’s got her lean workin just fine

Saint Gabriel Possenti is considered the patron saint of handguns due to a legend in which he demonstrated his marksmanship to scare off attackers, thereby protecting a village. He is also recognized as a patron saint of youth and students.

As the story goes:

After freeing a young woman from would-be rapists, St. Gabriel Possenti confronted the onrushing brigands waving revolvers. At that moment, Possenti fired at a lizard that happened to be running across the road and dispatched it with one shot. Thus having demonstrated his excellent handgun marksmanship, he was able to take command of the situation and ran the now-frightened brigands out of town.

St. Gabriel Possenti performed this feat of courage without causing physical harm to a single human being.

Francesco Possenti had been the fanciest dresser in town as well as the best dancer. He was a superb horseman and an excellent marksman. Engaged to two girls at the same time and a great partygoer, he had shocked his family by announcing after his graduation that he was going to become a Passionist monk. No one believed him and expected him back within a few weeks. 

He had become very sick during his school years and had promised that if he got better, he would dedicate his life to God. St. Gabriel Possenti got better and forgot about it. He got sick again and made the same promise, but again got well and forgot his promise. Once, during a church procession in which a great banner of Our Lady, Help of Christians, was being carried, the eyes of Our Lady looked straight at him and he heard the words: “Keep your promise.” Shaken, he remembered his promise, changed his life completely, and entered the Passionists.

He hoped to be sent to the missions after his ordination to the priesthood, but at the young age of twenty-four, he died. Canonized in 1920, he is, along with St. Aloysius, one of the patrons of youth. He was very fond of his family and is particularly remembered as a remarkable young man who, at the age of twenty, threw all aside for God, determined to become a saint.

Thought for the Day: By his courage, St. Gabriel showed that holiness is in no way opposed to the best qualities of manhood. He showed courage in very dangerous circumstances, where he could have very well been killed. We may not have to face such dangers, but we do need that kind of courage to witness to our faith on a daily basis.

He would have made a good Marine, you know

Semper Fedilis

God

country

corps

Always Faithful