Gaetan de Thiene

Holy Gaetan , or holy Cajetan de Thiene, was born in 1480 with Vicence and died in Naples in 1547.

Life

Gaetan was born with Vicence, which then formed part of the Republic of Venice. His/her parents were Gaspar, count de Thiene, and Maria Oporto.

His/her mother, very pious, encouraged it in this way.

It left for Padoue to study the right, and completed its studies at the 24 years age, with a diploma of civil law and right gun.

In 1506, it worked as diplomat at the court of the Pope Jules II, where it helped with the reconciliation with the republic of Venice.

Following the death of his mother, he was recalled to Vicence where he founded a hospital for the incurable ones. He was then worried as much by the care of the hearts than by that of the bodies.

He decided to gather people who would be decided to share a monastic ideal with an active ministry. The death of the Pope Jules II, in 1513, enabled him to leave the pontifical court and to found an order based on these ideals: oratory of the Divine love.

Gaetan was ordered priest only in 1516.

This new congretation was approved by Clément VII in 1524. One of his/her companions, Giovanni Pietro Carafa, bishop of Chieti which says Latin Theate, who was the first superior, is at the origin of the name which the congregation carried thereafter. The Ordre of Théatins took the Apôtres like model and contributed strongly to the reform of manners at the 16th century. The first houses of the congregation were founded with Naples in 1533 and with Venice in 1540.

After having undergone many difficulties in spite of the success of its foundations, he dies in Naples on August 7th 1547.

Beatification - Canonization

It was béatifié in 1629 by the Pope Urbain VIII.
And canonized on April 12th 1671 by the Pope Clement X, at the same time as Holy Rose of Lima, François Borgia, Louis Beltran and Philippe Benizi.

Celebrates

August 7th.

Representations

Saint Gaetan is often represented out of dress of clerk, with a winged heart.

Patronage

He is the owner:

Of the Théatins, but also:
Of the unemployed and applicants for work.

In Argentinian, Saint Gaetan is regarded as the owner of the workers. Every August 7th, with Buenos Aires, the accesses of the church Saint Gaetan are attended by hundreds of people who seek work.

Sources

the little book of the saints - Rosa Giorgi - Larousse - 2006 - ISBN 2-03-582665-9

Random links: