Saint Who?
Saints Who Founded Communities
Saint Cajetan of Thiene
Priest († 1547)Feast: August 7
Gaetano (or Cajetan) dei Conti di Tiene was born in Vicenza, Italy, in 1480. He distinguished himself as a student, for both academic excellence and virtue, and served as a senator in his hometown. He came to Rome to pursue a religious vocation, but instead the pope made him a curia official.
Towards the end of his time in Rome, Cajetan stepped down from his office and refounded the Oratory of Divine Love, a confraternity of laymen and clerics grounded in prayer, the sacraments, and works of mercy. He was ordained a priest three years later and later returned to Vicenza.
Desire to foster clerical reform grew in him. He told his family, “For some time Christ has been calling me and inviting me, because of his kindness, to take part in his kingdom…. I see Christ poor, and myself rich, he is mocked and I am a guest of honor…. I am dying to take a step towards meeting him.” He and a few companions established the order of Theatines (named after the see of the bishop who was the first superior). Committed to poverty—they accepted no benefices, nor did they even ask for alms—the order also cultivated reverent worship, combated error, and served the poor. Cajetan died in 1547.
Father of truth, through the intercession of
Saint Cajetan, strengthen those who live in radical poverty for the sake of the Christ and his Church.
