Saint Cajetan

Gaetano dei Conti di Thiene CR (6 October 1480 – 7 August 1547), known as Saint Cajetan, was an Italian Catholic priest and religious reformer, co-founder of the Theatines. He is recognised as a saint in the Catholic Church, and his feast day is 7 August.

Life

Cajetan was born in October 1480, the son of Gaspar, lord of Thiene, and Mary Porta, persons of the first rank among the nobility of the territory of Vicenza, in Veneto^[1] Region.

His father died when he was two years of age. Quiet and retiring by nature,

With the death of Pope Julius II in 1513, Cajetan withdrew from the papal court.[3] Recalled to Vicenza by the death of his mother, he founded in 1522 a hospital for incurables there.^[4] By 1523, he had established a hospital in Venice, as well. His interests were as much or more devoted to spiritual healing than the physical kind, and he joined a confraternity in Rome called the "Oratory of Divine Love".^[1] He intended to form a group that would combine the spirit of monasticism with the exercises of the active ministry.

Theatines

A new congregation was canonically erected by

Cajetan died in Naples on 7 August 1547.^[6] His remains are in the church of San Paolo Maggiore in Naples;^[7] outside the church is Piazza San Gaetano, with a statue.

Veneration

He was

He is known as the patron saint of Argentina, the unemployed,^[8] gamblers, document controllers, and good fortune. He was a spiritual aspirant in the mould of St. Francis of Assisi who gave up his riches for leading a life of Christian piety. Fully committed and dedicated as one who practised total renunciation of material riches would be, he was unwavering in his pursuit of the spiritual goals he had set for completion and never allowed himself to be distracted from realizing them. To the end, he was immersed in his work; and, after being made the patron saint of the unemployed, he meets, fully and favourably, the hopes and aspirations of those searching for work.

See also