Joseph Cafasso

Joseph Cafasso (1811-1860)

Joseph Cafasso, born Giuseppe Cafasso on January 15, 1811, in Castelnuovo d'Asti, was an Italian Catholic priest who became a prominent social reformer in Turin. He is remembered as one of the "Social Saints" who emerged during the 19th century, a period of significant social change in Italy.

Life and Ministry

Born to peasant farmers, Cafasso was the third of four children. He was born with a deformed spine, which contributed to his short stature and frail constitution. From a young age, he felt a calling to the priesthood and began his studies in Turin and Chieri. During this time, he formed a lifelong friendship with Giovanni Bosco, whom he would later support in Bosco's work with street urchins.

Cafasso was ordained a priest on September 21, 1833. He pursued further theological studies and became associated with the college dedicated to the higher education of diocesan priests, eventually succeeding Luigi Guala as its rector in 1848. He was also a professed member of the Third Order of Saint Francis. As a lecturer in moral theology, he drew upon the teachings of the French school and sought to moderate the rigorism influenced by Jansenism, advocating for simpler values and morals.

The "Priest of the Gallows"

Cafasso is most famously known as the "Priest of the Gallows" due to his extensive work with prisoners, particularly those condemned to death. He dedicated himself to comforting and guiding these individuals in their final hours. His pastoral zeal extended to challenging inmates, as recounted in an instance where he held an inmate's beard until he confessed. He also escorted sixty converted inmates to their execution, referring to them as "hanged saints."

He was also known for his personal asceticism and mortifications, living a frugal life and enduring pain with remarkable resilience. He celebrated Mass early each morning and spent long hours in confession and prayer.

Sainthood and Legacy

The cause for Cafasso's canonization began after his death. He was beatified by Pope Pius XI on May 3, 1925, and canonized by Pope Pius XII on June 22, 1947. In 1948, Pope Pius XII declared him the patron saint of all Italian prisons and prisoners. He is also offered as an example to priests serving as confessors and spiritual directors.

Cafasso died on June 23, 1860, from pneumonia and complications from congenital medical issues. His remains were later re-interred at the Santuario della Consolata in Turin. A monument in his honor stands in Turin at the "Gallows Roundabout" (Rondò della Forca), and a church in Rome was dedicated to him in 1968.