- Saint Gaetano Catanoso
Gaetano Catanoso (b.
14 February 1879 in Ciorio di San Lorenzo,Reggio Calabria ,Italy ; died on4 April 1963 ). His parents were wealthy landowners and devoutRoman Catholic s.As a priest, he felt it his duty to help children and youth who lacked role models and risked being corrupted, as well as abandoned older persons and priests who were isolated and without support. He also helped restore churches and Tabernacles left to decay. From 1921 to 1950 he served as confessor at religious institutes and in the Reggio Calabria prison. He was also hospital chaplain and spiritual director of the Archiepiscopal Seminary.
In 1934, Fr Catanoso founded the "Congregation of the Daughters of St Veronica, Missionaries of the Holy Face"; its mission: constant prayer of reparation, humble service in worship, catechesis, assistance to children, youth, priests and the elderly. The first convent was opened in
Riparo , Reggio Calabria. When the Archbishop curtailed the activities of the Congregation, Fr Catanoso showed great docility in accepting this decision; however, on 25 March 1958, the Constitutions he had written received diocesan approval.He was beatified by
Pope John Paul II on4 May 1997 .
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