We are called to be saints no matter who you are: man or woman, old or young – if we wish to be in heaven, we must become saints, we must work on growing in holiness, writes Father Corey Bilodeau, Parochial Vicar at Saint Thomas Aquinas parish and Saint John Student Center in East Lansing upon the Feast of Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, February 27, patron of youth and students.

Born Francesco Possenti in the town of Assisi, Italy, Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows (1838-1862) was a clerical student with the Passionist congregation. His life in the monastery was, in many ways, humdrum but he meticulously adhered to the rule of the congregation and had a great devotion to the sorrows of the Virgin Mary. Gabriel died from tuberculosis at the age of 23, before he could be ordained to the priesthood, and was canonized by Pope Benedict XV in 1920. Father Bilodeau continues:

In today’s world and culture, this is getting harder to do and, in particular, for our young people. The world is throwing so much at them, tempting them to let go of holiness in order to grasp a very cheap and temporary moment of pleasure. All of this noise is rapidly drowning out God’s voice. But even in this very clear opposition that young people are facing on every college campus, there is still a cause for hope. We have seen young people be steadfast to the Lord, choosing Him over cheap imitations.

One saint who can be an example to us, is Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows. This young man, who died at the age of 23, took everything that life threw at him and still remained faithful to God. Whether it was the Jesuits turning him down, the death of his sister, or even his battle with tuberculosis, Saint Gabriel remained faithful in the small and everyday stuff.

That is the key. To become a saint, living a life of holiness, is rooted in the everyday matters. Do not be overwhelmed with how much you have to overcome while on campus, but rather, look at the small details of your day and do them to the best of your ability. Be kind to others, treating everyone with love and charity, the same way you would want someone to treat you. As many of the saints show us, our path to sanctity, like theirs, most often lies not in heroic doings but in performing those small acts of kindness each day.

Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.