“Ask nothing and possess nothing”: This desire defined Caetano and contributed to his charismatic presence. These words stood in stark contrast to the rampant nepotism of the era, where individuals of little virtue and knowledge ascended to spiritual positions.
Newsroom (07/08/2023 10:09, Gaudium Press) Caetano was born in Vicenza, Italy, in October 1480. His father’s premature death resulted from an armed conflict. His mother, a devoted Christian and Dominican tertiary, played a crucial role in his upbringing. He pursued studies in civil law and canon law and was ordained as a priest on September 30, 1516.
During his time in Rome, he rose to the position of Protonotary to Pope Julius II. Already known to the public as the “holy priest,” the Eternal City left him astounded. In a letter, he referred to it as “this city that was once holy but has now become Babylon.”
With a goal of religious reform, Caetano collaborated with John Peter Carafa, the bishop of Chieti (Theates in Latin), who later became Pope Paul IV. He also worked alongside priests Boniface of Colle and Paul Consiglieri. Together, they established the Order of Regular Clerics, which became known as the Theatines. This order marked the first instance of religious reform within the Catholic Reformation, addressing the religious issues that were proliferating in 16th-century Europe.
“Ask for nothing and possess nothing”
“Ask nothing and possess nothing”: This desire defined Caetano and contributed to his charismatic presence. These words stood in stark contrast to the rampant nepotism of the era, where individuals of little virtue and knowledge ascended to spiritual positions. The Theatines’ detachment from material possessions served as a visible testament to their unwavering faith in Providence. They didn’t seek anything but gratefully accepted what they received. Excess food that went unconsumed on the same day was generously given to the less fortunate, as they believed God would provide for their needs in the days to come.
In essence, the Theatines embraced communal poverty alongside individual poverty. They didn’t rely on fixed or regular incomes, nor did they beg for sustenance. Instead, they sustained themselves through pastoral work and willingly offered any contributions they received.
Although born into wealth, Caetano chose poverty out of his love for Christ. His way of life illustrated that societal transformation commences with personal change, starting from within himself. This stance stood in stark contrast to the multitude of “reformers” who merely paid lip service to change in his time (and even in today’s society).
Daily Masses and Love for Neighbor The Eucharist served as the wellspring of energy for Caetano’s Christian, religious, and priestly life. Unlike most of his contemporaries in the clergy, he celebrated Holy Mass daily.
His life bore witness to a profound love for humanity. He articulated, “To serve and love God, to renounce oneself and sacrifice for others: this encapsulates the essence of the Christian and priestly journey.” In one of his letters, he offered counsel: “Completely forget yourself and recognize in your neighbor the countenance of Jesus crucified.”
Among his various titles, St. Caetano is celebrated as a mediator in times of societal upheaval. He passed away in Naples on August 7, 1547, offering himself as a sacrificial offering for peace in the city. Remarkably, his sacrifice was promptly accepted, resulting in the cessation of the conflict that had engulfed the city. On the centenary of his passing, the Theatine religious community designated the Virgin Mary as the patron saint of their order, bestowing upon her the title of Our Lady of Purity.
by Alejandro de Saint Amant.
Sources: “Humilité et grandeur spirituelle de Saint Gaétan de Thiene” (Pasquale Di Pietro, 1998); Province of Theatines in Brazil (www.teatinosnobrasil.com.br).
Compiled by Kate Iwuc
