St. Giuseppe Cafasso

Saint Giuseppe Cafasso

Confessor

Giuseppe was born to a peasant family in what was then the Kingdom of Sardinia, in the year of Our Lord 1811. He suffered from a spinal deformity, and remained quite short and somewhat physically handicapped his entire life. His mental acuity was anything but handicapped, and after his ordination Giuseppe became a professor of moral theology, and eventually college superior, at the University of Turin. He also served as a parish priest, with a reputation for his work in the confessional. St. John Bosco was a good friend and advisor, and eventually wrote Father Cafasso’s biography. Father Cafasso’s nephew also went on to be beatified. Father Cafasso is best known for his work with prisoners in Turin, especially those condemned to death. He worked tirelessly, not to overturn their convictions, but to convert their souls. Known as the “Priest of the Gallows”, Father Cafasso heard countless confessions, often granting absolution right before execution. He would refer to these prisoners, many of them hardened criminals before their eleventh-hour conversions, as “hanged saints”. Father Cafasso died from a combination of medical issues on this day in the year of Our Lord 1860.

Traditional Roman Martyrology for June 23rd

THE vigil of St. John the Baptist.

At Rome, in the reign of Julian the Apostate, St. John, a priest, who was decapitated on the old Salarian road, before an idol of the sun. His body was buried near those of other martyrs by the blessed priest Concordius.

Also, at Rome, St. Agrippina, virgin and martyr, under the emperor Valerian. Her body was carried to Sicily, where it works many miracles.

At Sutri, in Tuscany, St. Felix, priest. By the command of the prefect Turcius, he was struck on the mouth with a stone until he breathed his last.

At Nicomedia, in the time of Diocletian, the commemoration of many holy martyrs, who concealed themselves in mountains and caverns, and joyfully underwent martyrdom for the name of Christ.

At Philadelphia, in Arabia, the holy martyrs Zeno, and Zenas, his slave. When the latter kissed the chains of his master, begging to be his partner in torments, he was arrested by the soldiers, and received the crown of martyrdom with him.

In England, St. Audry, queen and virgin, who departed for heaven with a great renown for sanctity and miracles. Her body was found without corruption eleven years afterwards.

℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.

℟. Thanks be to God.