GABRIEL OF ST. MARY MAGDALEN

Also known as Adrian Devos; Discalced Carmelite, spiritual writer; b. Bevere-Audenaerse, Belgium, Jan. 24, 1893; d. Rome, March 15, 1953. After his studies in the humanities, he was professed in the Teresian Carmel of Bruges (Sept. 8, 1911) and studied philosophy at Courtrai (Belgium) and theology in Dublin. World War I forced his return to Belgium, where he was mobilized and served in the sanitation corps; twice wounded, he was awarded the military cross of honor. He was ordained Dec. 20, 1920, and then served as professor of philosophy and theology in his province (1920–26). He was called to Rome as professor in the International College of the Discalced Carmelites, of which he later became vice-rector (1926–36). As professor of spiritual theology and author of many lectures and writings, he acquired an international reputation. When the International College was granted the faculty of theology, he was appointed prefect of studies. He intensified his literary work in 1941 by founding the journal Vita Carmelitana, which became the Rivista di Vita Spirituale in 1947. He was cofounder of the scientific journal of the theological faculty Ephemerides Theologicae-Carmeliticae (1947). All his writings were in the field of mysticism.

Bibliography: c. di s. giuseppe, Un Maestro di vita spirituale: P. Gabriel di S. M. Maddalena (Rome 1959). b. della ss. trinita, "Il fondatore della 'Revista de Vita Spirituale,' " Revista de Vita Spirituale 7 (1953) 113–161. v. di sta. maria, "Il P. Gabriele di Sta. M. Madd., Carm. Scalzo" Vita Cristiana 22 (1953) 249–258. bede of the trinity, "Fr. Gabriel of St. Magd., Exponent of Carmelite Mysticism," Ephemerides Carmeliticae 13 (1962) 758–767.

[o. rodriguez]