Deepertruth: Saint Cajetan

Saint Cajetan8/7/2023

Like most of us, Cajetan seemed headed for an “ordinary” life—first as a lawyer, then as a priest engaged in the work of the Roman Curia.

Following his dispatch as Theatine superior to Naples (1533), Cajetan created a centre of Catholic reform at the church of San Paolo Maggiore in May 1538. He also founded a charitable nonprofit bank to help protect the poor from usury; it later became the Banco di Napoli (Bank of Naples).

His life took a characteristic turn when he joined the Oratory of Divine Love in Rome, a group devoted to piety and charity, shortly after his ordination at 36. When he was 42 he founded a hospital for incurables at Venice. At Vicenza, he joined a “disreputable” religious community that consisted only of men of the lowest stations of life—and was roundly censured by his friends, who thought his action was a reflection on his family. He sought out the sick and poor of the town and served them.

He sought out the sick and poor of the town and served them. The greatest need of the time was the reformation of a Church that was “sick in head and members.” Cajetan and three friends decided that the best road to reformation lay in reviving the spirit and zeal of the clergy.