Feast of San Gaetano Errico

San Gaetano Errico, ora pro nobis

October 29th is the Feast of St. Gaetano Errico, Priest, Mystic, and Founder. Born to humble and devout parents on 19 October 1791 in Secondigliano, a small town outside of the city of Naples, he enrolled (with his parent's blessing) in the Diocesan Seminary in Naples at the age of 16. In addition to his studies, he volunteered his time helping the poor, visiting the sick at the Hospital for the Incurables, and working with his father at the macaroni workshop.

At 24 he was ordained a priest and became a full-time primary school teacher. A tireless preacher and confessor, he assists the needy materially and spiritually.

While on a retreat and praying in the house of the Redemptorists in Pagani, Salerno, a vision of St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) appeared to him and told him that God wanted him to found a new congregation and build a church dedicated to Our Sorrowful Mother in Secondigliano.

Completed in 1835, Fr. Errico then founded the Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Receiving approval for the congregation on 4 March 1836, he sought Papal approval on 30 May 1838 and Royal approval on 13 May 1840. Seeking final approval in Rome, Blessed Pius IX issued the Apostolic Brief of Approbation on 7 August 1846 and Fr. Errico was unanimously elected Superior General.

Fr. Errico died on 29 October 1869 at the age of 69. He was declared a Venerable in December 1876 by Pope Leo XIII and, after approving a miracle, beatified by Pope St. John Paul II on 24 April 2001. On 14 April 2002, Pope St. John Paul II proclaimed him Blessed and on 6 July 2007 Pope Benedict XVI approved the miracle of canonization and on 12 October 2008, Blessed Gaetano Errico was canonized.

In celebration, we’re posting a prayer to St. Gaetano Errico. Pictured is my makeshift shrine. Evviva San Gaetano Errico!

Prayer to Gaetano Errico

Lord, we thank you for having given Saint Gaetano Errico to Your Church and the world. You inflamed his heart with the love of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, so that this love may be made known to all mankind through the ministry of Your Word and through the works of charity. Please give us the courage of faith and inflame our hearts with the same fire of love that we may be generous apostles of charity and credible missionaries of your merciful love. Lord through the intercession of your servant, Saint Gaetano Errico, transform our hearts, guide our paths and strengthen our work. Amen.