Gaetano dei Conti di Thiene (October 1480 – 7 August 1547), known in English 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.

Life

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, Cajetan was predisposed to piety by his mother. Cajetan studied law in Padua, receiving his degree as (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. However, 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. 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".

The Theatines managed to escape to Venice, It later became the Banco di Napoli.

Cajetan died in Naples on 7 August 1547. outside the church is Piazza San Gaetano, with a statue.

Veneration

He was beatified on 8 October 1629 by Pope Urban VIII. On 12 April 1671, Cajetan was canonized by Pope Clement X.

See also

  • Theatines
  • Sant'Andrea della Valle

References

  • [https://sites.google.com/view/san-gaetano/home]
  • "Pope Francis' Message for the Feast of Saint Cajetan", Zenit, August 7, 2013
  • Colonnade Statue in St Peter's Square
  • Founder Statue in St Peter's Basilica