Saint of the day - August 7

Saint Cajetan was born in October 1480, to a wealthy family in Vicenza, Republic of Venice, and is considered as the Patron Saint of Argentina.

He studied law and theology, and became a senator during the time of Pope Julius II. Cajetan sought a deeper meaning in his life and decided to step down from his office to study for the priesthood. He was ordained in 1516 and became a priest in his mid-thirties. After a few years of service, he went back to Northern Italy to serve the sick and poor.

His life took a characteristic turn when he joined the Oratory of Divine Love in Rome, a group devoted to piety and charity, shortly after his ordination at 36. When he was 42, he founded a hospital for incurables at Venice. Cajetan sought out the sick and poor of the town and served them.

Cajetan realized that the greatest need of the time was the reformation of the Church that was “sick in head and members.” Thus, Cajetan and his three friends figured out that the best road to reformation lay in reviving the spirit and zeal of the clergy.

In 1523, Cajetan went back to Rome with three other well-educated noblemen to form the small congregation called the Theatines. The Theatines’ goal was to preach correct doctrines, teach the Scripture, and aid the impoverished of Rome. One of these friends later became Pope Paul IV.

The Theatines were outstanding among the Catholic reform movements that took shape before the Protestant Reformation. When Emperor Charles V’s troops attacked Rome in 1527, Cajetan and companions escaped to Venice, after their house was wrecked. 

Cajetan founded a “mountain or fund of piety” in Naples, one of many charitable, non-profit credit organizations that lent money on the security of pawned objects. The purpose was to help the poor and protect them against usurers. His little organization ultimately became the Bank of Naples.

Thus, Saint Cajetan became a great reformer who helped the Church shift its focus to moral rectitude.

The troubles he saw in his Church as well as his home took its toll on his health, and as a result, Cajetan fell ill. When doctors tried to get him to rest on a softer bed than the boards he slept on, Cajetan answered, "My saviour died on a cross. Let me die on wood at least."

Cajetan died on August 7,1547 and was canonized in 1671.

Other Saints of the Day
1. Saint Donatus of Besancon
2. Saint Faustus of Milan
3. Saint Agathangelo Noury
4. Saint Albert of Trapani
5. Saint Basicicus of Kemet

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