St. Joseph Cafasso was born on 11 January 1811 to deeply religious parents in Castelnuovo, Italy. He was known as the "little saint" when he was a child, and despite his poverty, his abilities, persistence, and piety made it possible for him to become a priest at the young age of 22. He was made prefect, then professor of moral theology, and finally rector of the seminary of Turin.
Fr. Cafasso, the "Pearl of the Italian clergy," though of small stature with a deformed spine, had been the source of great blessing not only for the clergy and people of Turin but the whole world as the spiritual director of the great apostle of charity, St John Bosco. He also convinced others to fund and found religious institutes and charitable organizations. He is known as the "Priest of the Gallows" due to his extensive work with prisoners condemned to death. He was a popular teacher who actively opposed Jansenism, and fought state intrusion into Church affairs. Clergy, Bishops, Princes, and workers alike came to his confessional, with thousands of men of all classes deriving untold spiritual benefits at his retreats. St. Joseph Cafasso said, "The dying Saviour on the Cross is a friend who will not terrify you, who will not abandon you. Hope in him, and heaven is yours!"
He died on 23 June 1860 and was canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1947. In his homily on the saint, Pope Pius XII asked every priest to learn from him a tireless alacrity, patience, kindness and above all, constant application of prayer, since all human labor is in vain unless it be seconded by God. St. Cafasso had the confidence of all, young and old, rich and poor. "May he obtain from God," concluded the Pope, "for his country and for the whole Church a people filled with confidence in the Priest, and Priests worthy of that confidence!"
St. Joseph Cafasso, obtain for us grace to proclaim the Gospel with fervent zeal.
Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Pelayan Atasan Tertinggi / Most High Servant,
Yesus, Maria, Yusuf Pelayanan Kasih / Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love
(Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)
My vocation is Blessed and Saints.
"I am the most humble of all the Saints in Heaven" Mary, Mother of God."
"I am the handmaid of the Lord, said Mary ‘let what you have said be done to me."
Mother Mary is the most humble Saint in Heaven and she is also the Mother of God for us all
(Luke 1:38)
No comments:
Post a Comment