Roman Catholic Saint. A native of Castelnuovo d'Asti, presently Castelnuovo Don Bosco, Giuseppe Cafasso came from a family of peasants. Entering seminary in Turin he was ordained priest in 1833. Furthering his theological studies at the university of the city and later at the Institute of Saint Francis, despite his frail health, suffering from a deformed spine, he went on to become a brilliant lecturer in moral theology at the named institute. An active opponent on Jansenism, fighting intrusion into Church affairs, he succeeded Don Luigi Guala as rector of the institute in 1848. Leaving a deep impression on his young students due to his holiness and insistence on discipline and high standards, he was a highly sought confessor and spiritual adviser. Ministering mainly to prisoners, working to improve their terrible conditions, he assisted seventy eight prisoners condemned to death, such that he became known as "Il Prete della Forca", whom he used to refer to them as his "santi impiccati". Meeting Giovanni Bosco in 1827, likewise a native of Castelnuovo, the two soon became close friends. It was in fact through Caffasso's encouragement that Bosco concluded that his vocation was that of working for abandoned boys, eventually founding for them the famous Oratory of Turin. Cafasso went on to convince and aid others to fund and initiate religious institutes and charitable organizations. Cafasso died in Turin aged 49 and was canonized by Pope Pius XII on June 22, 1947. His liturgical celebration is held on June 23. A nephew of his, Giuseppe Allamano, son of his sister Marietta, went on the found the Consolata Missionaries and was declared blessed by Pope John Paul II on October 7, 1990.
Roman Catholic Saint. A native of Castelnuovo d'Asti, presently Castelnuovo Don Bosco, Giuseppe Cafasso came from a family of peasants. Entering seminary in Turin he was ordained priest in 1833. Furthering his theological studies at the university of the city and later at the Institute of Saint Francis, despite his frail health, suffering from a deformed spine, he went on to become a brilliant lecturer in moral theology at the named institute. An active opponent on Jansenism, fighting intrusion into Church affairs, he succeeded Don Luigi Guala as rector of the institute in 1848. Leaving a deep impression on his young students due to his holiness and insistence on discipline and high standards, he was a highly sought confessor and spiritual adviser. Ministering mainly to prisoners, working to improve their terrible conditions, he assisted seventy eight prisoners condemned to death, such that he became known as "Il Prete della Forca", whom he used to refer to them as his "santi impiccati". Meeting Giovanni Bosco in 1827, likewise a native of Castelnuovo, the two soon became close friends. It was in fact through Caffasso's encouragement that Bosco concluded that his vocation was that of working for abandoned boys, eventually founding for them the famous Oratory of Turin. Cafasso went on to convince and aid others to fund and initiate religious institutes and charitable organizations. Cafasso died in Turin aged 49 and was canonized by Pope Pius XII on June 22, 1947. His liturgical celebration is held on June 23. A nephew of his, Giuseppe Allamano, son of his sister Marietta, went on the found the Consolata Missionaries and was declared blessed by Pope John Paul II on October 7, 1990.
Bio by: Eman Bonnici
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