Blessed Gabriel Of Ferrara

Biography

Blessed Gabriel of Ferrara, also known as Gabriele Ferrari or Camillo, was born around 1543 in Milan, Italy, into the noble family of the Count of Ferrara. He received a comprehensive education and trained as a skilled surgeon, practicing medicine in Milan and serving as the personal physician to the Duke of Urbino.

In 1591, Gabriel made a life-changing decision and joined the Brothers of Mercy, a hospital order dedicated to caring for the sick and needy. Taking on the name Gabriel, he made his religious vows in 1595. His dedication to both medicine and his faith led him to write an influential surgical textbook titled "Nuova Selva di Cirurgia" in 1596, which became a standard teaching resource in Italian and German.

In 1598, Gabriel was transferred to the Brothers monastery and hospital located on Tiber Island in Rome, Italy. He distinguished himself within the order and became the prior of the house in 1599. Gabriel's administrative abilities were recognized, and in 1602, he was appointed the Provincial of the Brothers of Mercy, overseeing their general administration.

Due to his reputation as an exceptional surgeon, Gabriel was approached to treat prominent individuals in various European courts. In 1608, he successfully treated King Sigismund III of Poland, and the following year, he established a hospital in Kraków, Poland. Gabriel's skills were then sought by Emperor Matthias of Austria, whom he treated successfully, subsequently founding a hospital in Vienna, Austria, in 1614. His talents as a surgeon were further demonstrated when he saved Archduke Ernst of Styria's arm from amputation in 1615, leading to the establishment of a hospital in Graz, Austria.

During the turbulent times of the Thirty Years War, Gabriel served as a dedicated field surgeon. He aided the imperial troops at the Battle of Jasna Gora near Prague in 1620, which earned him leadership of a hospital in the same city in 1621. His commitment to medical care extended beyond the borders of Austria, as evidenced by his involvement in establishing a hospital in Neuburg an der Donau, Germany, in 1622. The support of Archduke Ernst's brother, Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II, helped the Brothers of Mercy continue their charitable work in Austria, receiving official support in 1624.

Throughout his life, Gabriel's compassionate nature and dedication to helping the sick and marginalized led him to establish hospitals in various locations. In 1625, he founded a hospital in Trieste, Italy, further expanding the network of houses that provided spiritual guidance and medical care to those in need.

Blessed Gabriel of Ferrara passed away on January 15, 1627, in Vienna, Austria, from natural causes. His relics were enshrined in the church of the Brothers of Mercy on Taborstrasse in Vienna, where they continue to be venerated. Gabriel's legacy encompasses not only his contributions as a skilled surgeon but also the lasting impact of the hospitals he founded, which provided care and solace to countless impoverished individuals.

Although Gabriel's beatification status and specific feast days are not mentioned in the provided information, his life and accomplishments serve as an inspiration for those dedicated to the healing ministry and the service of others.