(The Vatican) Long shot: Patron saint of pistols?

Oatka · March 2, 2001, 01:42 PM

Purists would say that this belongs in the Handgun Forum, but IMHO, it's a great human interest story that should be shared with all.

by Frances d'Emilio, Associated Press

VATICAN CITY -- Admirers of a sharpshooting seminarian who became a saint are lobbying the Vatican to make their man the patron saint of handgun owners.

In a ceremony Tuesday, John Michael Snyder, a gun fancier and ex- Jesuit seminarian who once worked for the National Rifle Association, awarded medals to men who, like himself, think St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother deserves such special Vatican recognition. The event was held at a hotel just down the street from St. Peter's Basilica.

Born Francis Possenti in 1838 in Assisi, the hometown of another, more famous, holy man, the saint is also known as Gabriel Possenti. Along with another saint known for valor, Joan of Arc, he is one of three saints made during the early 20th century papacy of Benedict XV.

"It is obvious that St. Gabriel Possenti is very much a saint for the 21st century,'' Snyder said of the man whose sharpshooting skills scared away marauders from the Italian village of Isola del Gran Sasso one day in 1860.

According to accounts, Possenti confronted some renegade soldiers who were about to rape a village woman. At that moment, a lizard darted by, and Possenti shot it dead in a display of marksmanship that impressed the bad guys so much they fled.

Speaking on the saint's feast day, Snyder said making Possenti the patron of handgun owners would show that the Vatican is "courageous enough to stick its neck out for the right of individuals to defend themselves against evil and tyranny.

REST OF ARTICLE

traitorjack · March 2, 2001, 02:10 PM

would that make the lizard a martyr?

;-)

seriously though, I'd sign a petition for that.

**4V50 Gary** · March 2, 2001, 02:31 PM

Modernly, critter lovers would hang Possenti and never mind the safety of the woman he saved.

2GSP · March 2, 2001, 02:53 PM

There is a web site - http://www.possentisociety.com/

-Mike

Doc Hudson · March 2, 2001, 02:57 PM

Colonel Jeff Cooper is one of the people getting a medal this year.

BTW, while in Rome recently, i tried in several places, including the Vatican Museum to buy a St. Gabriel Possenti Medal and was unable to find one.

Doc Hudson

March 2, 2001, 01:42 PM	#1
Oatka Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 1999 Location: Nevada Posts: 3,119	Purists would say that this belongs in the Handgun Forum, but IMHO, it's a great human interest story that should be shared with all. by Frances d'Emilio, Associated Press VATICAN CITY -- Admirers of a sharpshooting seminarian who became a saint are lobbying the Vatican to make their man the patron saint of handgun owners. In a ceremony Tuesday, John Michael Snyder, a gun fancier and ex- Jesuit seminarian who once worked for the National Rifle Association, awarded medals to men who, like himself, think St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother deserves such special Vatican recognition. The event was held at a hotel just down the street from St. Peter's Basilica. Born Francis Possenti in 1838 in Assisi, the hometown of another, more famous, holy man, the saint is also known as Gabriel Possenti. Along with another saint known for valor, Joan of Arc, he is one of three saints made during the early 20th century papacy of Benedict XV. "It is obvious that St. Gabriel Possenti is very much a saint for the 21st century,'' Snyder said of the man whose sharpshooting skills scared away marauders from the Italian village of Isola del Gran Sasso one day in 1860. According to accounts, Possenti confronted some renegade soldiers who were about to rape a village woman. At that moment, a lizard darted by, and Possenti shot it dead in a display of marksmanship that impressed the bad guys so much they fled. Speaking on the saint's feast day, Snyder said making Possenti the patron of handgun owners would show that the Vatican is "courageous enough to stick its neck out for the right of individuals to defend themselves against evil and tyranny. REST OF ARTICLE

March 2, 2001, 02:10 PM	#2
traitorjack Senior Member Join Date: June 8, 2000 Posts: 132	would that make the lizard a martyr? ;-) seriously though, I'd sign a petition for that.

March 2, 2001, 02:31 PM	#3
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: California Posts: 13,263	Modernly, critter lovers would hang Possenti and never mind the safety of the woman he saved.

March 2, 2001, 02:53 PM	#4
2GSP Member Join Date: November 8, 2000 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 87	There is a web site - http://www.possentisociety.com/ -Mike

March 2, 2001, 02:57 PM	#5
Doc Hudson Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2001 Location: Mississippi Delta Posts: 637	Colonel Jeff Cooper is one of the people getting a medal this year. BTW, while in Rome recently, i tried in several places, including the Vatican Museum to buy a St. Gabriel Possenti Medal and was unable to find one. Doc Hudson