Saint Who?
Saints Who Promoted Eucharistic Devotion
Saint Gaetano Catanoso
Priest and founder († 1963) Feast: April 4
“The Holy Face is my life. He is my strength.” Gaetano Catanoso was born in southern Italy in 1879, the son of wealthy Italian landowners. He became a priest in his early twenties, serving readily and vigorously in isolated villages and large cities alike. His primary goal was to grow closer to Christ and help his people do God’s will.
Father Catanoso helped orphans, tended to the abandoned elderly, and worked to deepen his people’s devotion. He founded several congregations—including one to promote priestly vocations—and a squad of priests who committed themselves to help out in each other’s parishes. He labored to promote Eucharistic devotion and helped to restore neglected churches and tabernacles. He would spend hours, even whole days, praying before the Blessed Sacrament.
He was especially devoted to the Holy Face of Jesus, and wrote, “If we wish to adore the real Face of Jesus…we can find it in the divine Eucharist, where with the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ the Face of Our Lord is hidden under the white veil of the Host.” Gaetano Catanoso died in 1963 and was canonized in 2005.
Beloved Jesus, help us to see your face
in the Blessed Sacrament.
