Saint Gaetano Catanoso Parish Priest, Founder

Working as a parish priest is a fulfilling calling but also challenging.  The priest must balance prayer, work and rest.  He is called to be a spiritual father to the people of his parish and those he comes into contact.  He may baptize an infant, console the sorrowful, hear confessions, pray for the dead, celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, see that a broken door is fixed, attend a meeting and oversee the financial matters of the parish all in one day.   The priest is called to act in ‘persona Christi’ – in the person of Christ.  The men God calls to the priesthood carry a heavy burden but are given many, many graces as well.

Gaetano Catanoso was born to a well to do family in a small town in Italy in 1879.  He was one of eight children.  His parents were not only wealthy land owners but faith-filled Catholics.  He was ordained a priest in 1902 and was assigned to a parish in a remote village.  Father Gaetano understood that he was called to bring the sacraments to the people.  But he also traveled great distances to bring hope to others.  In his parishes he revived devotion to Mary and the Eucharist, improved religious education and encouraged the people to observe the liturgical feasts.

He wanted to imitate the life of Christ by serving the poor whenever and wherever he could.  He would walk or ride on a donkey many miles to reach isolated mountain villages.  He founded an order of nuns called the Veronican Sisters of the Holy Face to help him.  The nuns were mostly young women from poor families.  They were inspired his humility, devotion and mission to give all to Christ.

With his help, the sisters built schools and nursing homes   Father Catanoso also founded the Poor Clerics to encourage priestly vocations.  He had a great devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus and encouraged others in this devotion by establishing the “Confraternity of the Holy Face” in 1920.  He worked as a spiritual director for religious institutions, a prison, hospital and seminary.

Although Father was a man of action, he understood the importance of prayer.  He often spent hours and sometimes entire days in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.   He was always striving to deepen his union with Christ and to do God's will. 

 He died on April 4, 196. Pope John Paul II beatified him on May 4, 1997.  Pope Benedict XVI canonized him on October 23, 2005.