Gaetano Errico

Gaetano Errico (1791–1860) was an Italian Catholic priest and the founder of the Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Born in Secondigliano, Naples, to hardworking and devout parents, Errico's early life was marked by piety and a commitment to learning. Despite humble beginnings, he pursued his ecclesial studies in Naples, walking considerable distances to attend classes. Even during his studies, he demonstrated a strong charitable spirit by tending to the sick twice a week.

Life and Ministry

After his ordination in 1815, Errico served as a teacher and parish priest for the Santi Cosma e Damiano parish church. His ministry was characterized by a deep devotion to the sacrament of penance and dedicated service to the ill, often accompanied by personal austerities. A pivotal moment in his life occurred in 1818 during a retreat, when he experienced a vision of Saint Alphonsus Liguori. This vision urged him to found a religious congregation and establish a new church dedicated to the Blessed Mother.

Founding the Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary

Errico embarked on founding his congregation despite numerous obstacles. He purchased land in 1822 and dedicated the new church, Madonna Addolorata, in 1830. In 1833, he established a small house near the church for himself and a companion, laying the groundwork for what would become his religious order. The first members of the Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary emerged in 1833, and the group gained diocesan support in 1836, eventually receiving full papal approval from Pope Pius IX in 1846. Errico served as the order's first Superior General.

Canonization Process

Gaetano Errico's journey to sainthood began with the introduction of his cause in 1884, under Pope Leo XIII, who titled him Servant of God. His writings were deemed orthodox in 1893. Pope Paul VI recognized his heroic virtue, declaring him Venerable in 1974. The process for beatification involved the investigation of a miracle, the healing of Caccioppoli Salvatore, which was confirmed by Pope John Paul II, who beatified Errico on April 14, 2002. A second miracle, the healing of Anna Russo, was approved by Pope Benedict XVI, leading to Errico's canonization on October 12, 2008, in Saint Peter's Square.

Legacy

Gaetano Errico died on October 29, 1860, from a visceral fever. His legacy lives on through the Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, an order that, as of 2015, had numerous houses and members across the globe. He is remembered for his profound spirituality, his dedication to the poor and suffering, and his foundational role in establishing a significant religious congregation within the Catholic Church.