27/08/2026
Blessed Gabriel Mary
This blessed man belonged to the most outstanding clients of Our Lady in the Franciscan Order. As a result of a sermon on the Immaculate Conception which had been delivered by a member of the Friars Minor, he himself became a Friar of the Order. Due to his great learning and virtues, he was frequently entrusted with the highest offices in the Order.
Gabriel studied at the Convent of Amboise where he was Ordained a Priest. From 1498 until 1502 he served as the gatekeeper of his Convent where he later met Saint Jane de Valois (1464-1505) and he became her Confessor and Spiritual director.
His fame, however, rests on his founding of the Order of the Annunciation, together with St Jane de Valois who is venerated as its mother. The Blessed Mother of God commissioned him to undertake its establishment. He became the protector and spiritual counsellor of the Order, composed its Rules and constitutions, secured many new members and was instrumental in establishing ten Convents. Later, he was given the title of General of the entire Order of the Virgin Mary.
Pope Leo X was so impressed by his devotion to Our Lady that he changed his name from Father Gilbert Nicholas to Father Gabriel Marie of the Annunciation, or Fr Ave Maria. Father Gabriel Mary always closed his letters with the words, “Your servant in Mary.”
