Voice … He suffered because the things that he wanted to do were not done perfectly, he was deeply ashamed before God, and he became lifeless and promised to do better in future. In this way, bit by bit, he reached such a degree of virtue that I couldn’t have asked for more …

Michele …Hey Frankie, I have brought you a little gold heart; you can put the image of the Madonna in it …

Gabriel … I can’t accept it as I have taken the vow of poverty … “Corde magno et animo volenti”! …

Voice … He was quoting the watchword of the founder of the Passionists with gentleness of spirit, escaping the rush and anxiety without being slow …He took great care to protect himself from futile thoughts and talk, and he often ended his discussions with these or similar words:

Gabriel … What we have said is fine, but it is not enough just to say it, we need to put it into action.

Voice … He didn’t teach the others anything that he didn’t practise. I never saw those highs and lows of joy and sadness in him, which I saw in most of the others. There was always that constancy of one who is above all the events of this life … … If the faith of this servant of God was so excellent, then his hope was no less so … His many talents, his position in the world, and his popularity and sensitivity could have prepared him for a bright future in this world …

Gabriel appears elegantly dressed, followed by many young people in evening dress, including his brother, Michele. The scene changes and Gabriel is celebrating inside a nobleman’s house, and drinks a toast with the music of “Libiam” from Verdi’s “Traviata” in the background. In the midst of the songs and dances, Gabriel performs a short play for his friends. Then just as everything appeared, it disappears, leaving the usual fireplace and two armchairs while the “voice” continues re-evoking his days of illness …

Voice … but he gladly and willingly gave up worldly goods for supernatural ones. In giving himself to God, he didn’t follow those who give themselves half-heartedly, but gave himself totally without any hesitation.

Gabriel … Never anything against God, never, never Father, never anything against God …

Voice … During his illness he continually sympathised with his companions who helped and served him …

Gabriel … If you want to hear how I feel, let me tell you that I don’t mind dying, in fact right now I feel real love …

Voice … Often when he was ill he would ask me for Holy Communion. Once, when the others had gone to bring the host, I remained with him …

Gabriel … Father, do me a favour, let me get out of bed to receive Jesus kneeling … Father …

Voice … I can’t, you’ll have to receive communion in bed …

Gabriel … Then, Father, let me kneel on the bed …

Voice … It was a great sacrifice for him when even this request was refused, and he was forced to receive communion sitting up in bed. But he obeyed.
When he saw that he only had a few more minutes to live and that death was close, he took the time necessary to make an act of contrition and said:

Gabriel
If our salvation was left in our own hands, we would have every reason to be afraid, but it is in the hands of God and therefore in good hands. God doesn’t want to see us idle, but wants us to do all we can to merit Paradise. If God even gave me his son, what could I not hope for from him? If Jesus became man for me, and was even prepared to die such a painful death for me, why should I be afraid that he doesn’t want to complete his work?