Saint Joseph Cafasso (23 June): Butler's Lives of the Saints

About this sermon

St. Joseph Cafasso (1811–1860) is often remembered as the spiritual director of St. John Bosco, but his own life shines as one of extraordinary holiness, mercy, and priestly zeal. Born in Castelnuovo d'Asti, the same town that produced St. John Bosco, Joseph Cafasso became one of the most influential priests of 19th-century Italy. A gifted teacher of moral theology, a renowned confessor, and a tireless advocate for prisoners, St. Joseph Cafasso fought against the harsh remnants of Jansenism by preaching God's mercy and encouraging frequent confession. He guided countless priests, religious, and laypeople toward sanctity while forming a generation of clergy faithful to the Church during a turbulent period in Italian history. Known for accompanying condemned criminals to their executions, he helped more than sixty men die reconciled with God, affectionately calling them his "hanged saints." Above all, St. Joseph Cafasso is remembered as the spiritual father and mentor of St. John Bosco, whose worldwide mission to youth was profoundly shaped by Cafasso's wisdom and guidance. In this episode from Father Alban Butler's Lives of the Saints, discover the remarkable life, virtues, ministry, and lasting legacy of one of the Church's greatest priests. 00:00 Introduction to St. Joseph Cafasso 00:26 Early Life in Castelnuovo d'Asti 01:07 Family Background and Education 01:54 Ordination to the Priesthood 02:17 Formation at the Convitto Ecclesiastico 02:57 Becoming a Professor of Moral Theology 03:14 Physical Appearance and Personal Virtues 04:07 Teaching and Preaching Ministry 05:06 Fighting Jansenism with Mercy 05:46 Forming a Generation of Holy Priests 06:02 Rector of St. Francis Institute 07:00 Spiritual Director to Clergy and Laity 07:38 Ministry at the Sanctuary of St. Ignatius 08:16 Apostle to Prisoners and Death Row Inmates 09:00 The Story of the "Hanged Saints" 09:14 General Jerome Ramorino's Conversion 09:52 First Meeting with St. John Bosco 10:15 Guiding Don Bosco's Mission 11:15 Other Saints and Founders Influenced by Cafasso 12:04 Preparing for a Holy Death 12:58 Final Illness and Death 13:21 Canonization and Lasting Legacy https://sensusfidelium.com/the-lives-of-the-fathers-martyrs-and-other-principal-saints/june/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 Support Catholic Businesses here - https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ Sensus Fidelium Press - https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ Sensus Fidelium Apps - https://sensusfidelium.tv/ Support Sensus Fidelium - https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 🙏🏻PLEASE HELP OUR CHANNEL GROW 🙏🏻 ▶️ 1. Become a Channel Patron: https://www.patreon.com/SensusFidelium ▶️ 2. Visit the website https://www.sensusfidelium.com for Gueranger, Saint of the Day, Apologetics, Meditation by the Saints, Scripture Study and more. ▶️ 3. Subscribe to Other Video Platforms 🔴 SpiritusTV - https://spiritustv.com/@SensusFidelium 🔴 BitChute --- https://www.bitchute.com/channel/Sensus_Fidelium/ 🔴 Rumble --- https://rumble.com/c/c-298311 🔴 My Catholic Tube - https://mycatholictube.com/videos/sensus-fidelium-channel/ 🔴 LBRY.tv --- https://lbry.tv/@SensusFidelium:c 🔴 ODYSEE - https://odysee.com/@SensusFidelium:c 🔴 UGETube - https://videos.utahgunexchange.com/@Sensus%20Fidelium 🔴 BrandNewTube - https://brandnewtube.com/@SensusFidelium 🔴 GabTV - https://tv.gab.com/channel/Sensus_Fidelium 🔴 GloriaTV - https://gloria.tv/Sensus%20Fidelium 🔴 Brighteon - https://www.brighteon.com/channels/sensusfidelium ▶️ 4. Paypal, Bitcoin, Anedot, Stripe, Square & PO Box donations - https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ ▶️ 5. YouTube: Click Subscribe, then Click "Notification Bell" = 🔔 Please "Like" our videos so that Youtube shares it to others by clicking the "Like" thumbs-up under the video = 👍🏻 ▶️ 6. Please share this video 📲, and help others find Christ inside the Catholic Church! Please share this video on Facebook and Twitter using the share button. ▶️ 7. Follow on Social Media: 🔴 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SensusFidelium/ 🔴 Twitter: https://https://twitter.com/Sensus_Fidelium 🔴 YouTube: Click Subscribe, then Click "Notification Bell" = 🔔 🔴 Parler: https://parler.com/profile/Sensusfidelium/posts 🔴 SP3RN: https://www.sp3rn.com/community/pages/14-sensus-fidelium 🔴 GAB: https://gab.com/Sensus_Fidelium 🔴 Bastyon: https://bastyon.com/sensusfidelium 🔴 GETTR: https://gettr.com/user/sensus_fidelium 🔴 INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/sensusfidelium/ 🔴 Telegram: https//t.me/RealSensusFidelium 🔴 Truth Social - @SensusFidelium ▶️ 8. Follow on iTunes: 🔴 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sensus-fidelium-catholic-podcast/id1477010758 #StJosephCafasso #CatholicSaints #LivesOfTheSaints #SaintOfTheDay #FatherAlbanButler #StJohnBosco #CatholicHistory #CatholicFaith #TraditionalCatholic #Priesthood #CatholicChurch #FeastDay