FEAST OF SAINT CAJETAN OF THIENE – 7th AUGUST

FEAST OF SAINT CAJETAN OF THIENE
FEAST DAY – 7th AUGUST

Gaetano dei Conti di Thiene (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. 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 Region.

His father died when he was two years of age. Quiet and retiring by nature, he was predisposed to piety by his mother. Cajetan studied law in Padua, receiving his degree as doctor utriusque juris (i.e., in civil and canon law) at age 24. In 1506 he worked as a diplomat for Pope Julius II, with whom he helped reconcile the Republic of Venice. But he was not ordained a priest until the year 1516.

With the death of Pope Julius II in 1513, Cajetan withdrew from the papal court. Recalled to Vicenza by the death of his mother, he founded in 1522 a hospital for incurables there. 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”. He intended to form a group that would combine the spirit of monasticism with the exercises of the active ministry.

A new congregation was canonically erected by Pope Clement VII in the year 1524. One of his four companions was Giovanni Pietro Carafa, the Bishop of Chieti, elected first superior of the order, who later became pope as Paul IV. From the name of the city of Chieti (in Latin: Theate), arose the name by which the order is known, the “Theatines”.

The order grew at a fairly slow pace: there were only twelve Theatines during the sack of Rome in 1527, during which Cajetan was tortured by the Spanish soldiers of Charles V who had mutinied. The Theatines managed to escape to Venice. There Cajetan met Jerome Emiliani, whom he assisted in the establishment of his Congregation of Clerks Regular.

In 1533 he founded a house in Naples. The year 1540 found him in Venice again and from there he extended his work to Verona. He founded a bank to help the poor and offer an alternative to usurers (who charged high interest rates). It later became the Banco di Napoli. Cajetan died in Naples on 7 August 1547. His remains are in the church of San Paolo Maggiore in Naples; outside the church is Piazza San Gaetano, with a statue.

He was beatified on 8 October 1629 by Pope Urban VIII. On 12 April 1671 Cajetan was was canonized. Saint Cajetan’s feast day is celebrated on 7 August. St. Cajetan of Thiene is the patron saint of Argentina, the gamblers, document controllers, gamers, and good fortune. He’s also the patron saint of the unemployed and job seekers.

St. Cajetan is also the patron saint of bankers, since he established what is now one of the oldest operating banks in the world. Jesuit missionary Eusebio Kino in 1691 established the mission San Cayetano de Tumacácori in honor of Cajetan. It is now Tumacacori National Historical Park in Arizona.

Saint Cajetan 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 practiced total renunciation of material riches would be, he was unwavering in his pursuit of the spiritual goals and never allowed himself to be distracted from realizing them. To the end, he was immersed in his work; and he meets, fully and favourably, the hopes and aspirations of those seeking his intercession.

PRAYER

Lord God, we thank You for giving us your priest, St. Cajetan of Thiene, as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You that he showed by choosing to serve You as a priest.

St. Cajetan of Thiene, you first learned about the Faith from your pious mother. From her, you learned how to serve God with devotion. As a young man, you studied the Faith more as you earned a degree in canon law.

You did not immediately set out to become a priest, but you eventually realized God was calling you to this path. Pray that I may be open to God leading me in an unexpected direction. Pray that I will be open to following Him.

As a priest, you served God wholeheartedly. You served Him in the poor and suffering, and you desired to reform His Church. Pray for me, that I may serve God as fervently as you did!

(Prayer Source: praymorenovenas.com)

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ALSO CELEBRATED:

SAINT SIXTUS II, POPE AND MARTYR (d. AD 258)

Saint Sixtus II served as the 24th Pope of the Catholic Church from AD 257 to 258. He became Pope during one of the most difficult periods in Christian history, when the Roman Emperor Valerian launched a fierce persecution against Christians.

Known for his wisdom, humility, and love for the Church, Pope Sixtus II worked to strengthen unity among Christians and reconcile divisions within the Church. He encouraged the faithful to remain steadfast in their faith despite growing threats.

On August 6, AD 258, while celebrating the Holy Eucharist with the Christian community in the Catacombs of St. Callixtus in Rome, imperial soldiers arrested him. Refusing to abandon his mission or deny Christ, he was sentenced to death and was beheaded along with several of his deacons.

Among his companions were Saints Januarius, Vincentius, Magnus, Stephanus, Felicissimus, and Agapitus, who also gave their lives for Christ.
Shortly afterward, St. Lawrence, one of the Church’s most beloved deacons, was also martyred after faithfully carrying out Pope Sixtus II’s final instructions.

St. Sixtus II is remembered as a courageous shepherd who remained faithful to Christ until the very end. His life reminds Christians that true leadership is rooted in love, sacrifice, and unwavering trust in God, even in the face of persecution.

Bible Verse: “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” — Revelation 2:10

CONTEMPLATING THE LIVES OF SAINTS SIXTUS II, POPE, AND HIS COMPANIONS, MARTYRS

WHERE ARE YOU GOING, FATHER? A STORY OF COURAGE IN THE CATACOMBS

During the persecution of Emperor Valerian in the year 258, Pope Sixtus II continued to shepherd the Christians of Rome despite the danger. In the catacombs, he celebrated the Eucharist and strengthened his people with faith, hope and courage.

THE ARREST OF POPE SIXTUS

While Sixtus was celebrating the Eucharist in the Catacombs of San Callisto, Roman soldiers arrived and arrested him together with his deacons Januarius, Magnus, Vincent and Stephen. Sixtus did not resist, but calmly accepted the suffering that awaited him.

LAWRENCE AND HIS SPIRITUAL FATHER

When the young deacon Lawrence heard that Sixtus had been arrested, he ran to him in tears and asked, “Father, where are you going without your son?” Sixtus comforted him and foretold that Lawrence would follow him three days later.

THE MARTYRDOM OF SIXTUS AND HIS COMPANIONS

Sixtus and his deacons were put to death for their faith. Felicissimus and Agapitus, two other deacons, were also martyred. Their sacrifice became a powerful testimony that faith in Christ is stronger than fear and death.

LAWRENCE, FAITHFUL TO THE END

Three days later, Lawrence was arrested. When ordered to surrender the treasures of the Church, he presented the poor and the sick, declaring that they were the true treasures of the Church. He was then martyred for Christ, remaining faithful to his calling until death.

A LEGACY THAT COULD NOT BE SILENCED

The persecution could not destroy the Church or silence the Gospel. The witness of Sixtus, Lawrence and their companions continued to inspire Christians through the centuries. Their names are still remembered in the Roman Canon during the celebration of the Eucharist.

THE POWER OF LOVE OVER FEAR

The martyrs had no weapons or armies. They possessed only faith, love and the courage to remain faithful to Christ. Their lives remind us that “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” Their victory was not found in escaping suffering, but in remaining faithful through it.

PRAYER TO FOLLOW CHRIST WITH COURAGE

Lord Jesus Christ, in the silence of the catacombs, Your servants Sixtus, Lawrence and their companions chose love over fear, faith over comfort and truth over life itself.

Grant me the grace to follow You in the quiet sacrifices of daily life, to love when it costs, to serve when no one sees and to trust when the path is dark.

May I treasure what You treasure and walk courageously in Your footsteps until I see You face to face. Amen

PRAYER

St. Sixtus II, faithful shepherd and courageous martyr, pray for us. Help us to remain steadfast in our faith, to serve Christ with humility, and to trust God in every trial. Amen