Cajetan
Saint Cajetan was an Italian Catholic priest and religious reformer, co-founder of the Theatines. He is recognized for his efforts in spiritual healing and establishing hospitals for the poor and infirm. His work also extended to founding a bank to provide an alternative to usury.
- Feast Day
- 7 August
- Century
- 16th century
- Country Or Region
- Italy
Key Facts
- ›Born in October 1480, he was the son of Gaspar, lord of Thiene, and Mary Porta.
- ›He studied law in Padua, earning a doctor utriusque juris degree at age 24.
- ›Cajetan was ordained a priest in 1516.
- ›He co-founded the Theatines with Giovanni Pietro Carafa in 1524.
- ›He established hospitals for incurables in Vicenza and Venice.
- ›He founded a bank in Venice in 1540, which later became the Banco DI Napoli.
Gaetano dei Conti di Thiene
Argentina, the Unemployed
About Cajetan
Saint Cajetan
Gaetano dei Conti di Thiene, known in English as Saint Cajetan (October 1480 – 7 August 1547), was an Italian Catholic priest and a significant religious reformer. He is recognized as a saint within the Catholic Church, with his feast day observed on August 7th.
Life and Ministry
Born into a noble family in Vicenza, Cajetan was influenced by his mother's piety. He pursued legal studies in Padua, earning a doctorate in both civil and canon law. He served as a diplomat for Pope Julius II, aiding in the reconciliation between the Pope and the Republic of Venice. Although he was not ordained a priest until 1516, his early career involved significant diplomatic and charitable work.
After withdrawing from the papal court following Pope Julius II's death, Cajetan returned to Vicenza and founded a hospital for incurables in 1522. He later established a similar institution in Venice. He was also a member of the "Oratory of Divine Love" in Rome, an association focused on spiritual renewal and active ministry.
The Theatines and Later Life
In 1524, Cajetan co-founded a new congregation of clerks regular, canonically erected by Pope Clement VII, which became known as the Theatines, named after the city of Chieti (Theate in Latin), the episcopal see of his companion Giovanni Pietro Carafa. The order grew slowly; during the sack of Rome in 1527, Cajetan was tortured by mutinous soldiers. The Theatines eventually escaped to Venice, where Cajetan assisted Jerome Emiliani in establishing his own congregation.
Cajetan later founded a house for the Theatines in Naples in 1533 and extended his work to Verona. In Naples, he also initiated the founding of a bank to provide financial assistance to the poor and offer an alternative to usurious lenders, a foundation that eventually evolved into the Banco di Napoli.
Veneration and Legacy
Cajetan was beatified on October 8, 1629, by Pope Urban VIII and canonized on April 12, 1671, by Pope Clement X. His feast day is celebrated on August 7th. He is venerated as the patron saint of Argentina and the unemployed. The mission San Cayetano de Tumacácori, established by Eusebio Kino in 1691, is a testament to his enduring devotion. His remains are preserved in the church of San Paolo Maggiore in Naples, with Piazza San Gaetano outside featuring a statue in his honor.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Saint Cajetan born and when did he die?
Saint Cajetan was born in October 1480 and died on August 7, 1547.
What was Saint Cajetan known for?
He is known as a co-founder of the Theatines, a religious reformer, and for his dedication to spiritual healing and establishing institutions to help the poor, such as hospitals and a bank.
What is Saint Cajetan's feast day?
Saint Cajetan's feast day is celebrated on August 7.
What is the origin of the Theatine order?
The Theatine order was canonically erected in 1524 by Pope Clement VII. It was named after Giovanni Pietro Carafa, the Bishop of Chieti (Theate in Latin), who was the first superior of the order.
What is Saint Cajetan the patron saint of?
Saint Cajetan is known as the patron saint of Argentina and of the unemployed.
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