St. Joseph Cafasso
Feast Day June 23
 
Patron of those Imprisoned whether in Body, Mind, and/or Soul

St. Joseph Cafasso. was a 19^th Century Priest who was devoted to the Blessed Sacrament and to Mary.  He was a humble and loving man and I believe he would happily offer his help with the prayers of Marian Mantle members for those beloved prodigals who are unable to escape the  world's influence that has denied them the ability to recognize the truth.  With the help of St Joseph Cafasso, may they find the faith of their childhood and renew its truth

in their lives.

Who was St. Joseph Cafasso?

Joseph was born in 1811.  As a young man, he loved to attend Mass and was known for his humility and fervor in prayer.  He had a deformed spine and was crippled throughout his life.  He was a professor of moral theology, an excellent preacher, confessor and retreat master.  He worked especially against excessive preoccupation with sin and damnation and taught by using the works of St Francis de Sales and St. Alphonsus Liguori. He helped many condemned prisoners  to die at peace with God.  His first devotion was always to the Eucharist.  It seems fitting  his feast day is celebrated during the same month as Corpus Christi Sunday.

Note:  In 1264 Pope Urban IV established the Feast of Corpus Christi as a universal feast of the Church.  St. Thomas Aquinas composed the official prayers of the Church for the feast, including  the famous hymns “Pange Linqua Gloriosi” and “Tantum Ergo."

 Prayer Asking the Intercession of  St. Joseph Cafasso

Dear Saint Joseph Cafasso, please intercede for me and mine.  Help us to leave our prisons--mine of impatience as I wait for my loved one to return to the practice of the Catholic faith, and the prison of ignorance and unknowing that keeps us from the arms of Jesus and His Church.  Grant us a renewal of the gift of Faith; an increase in devotion and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament; and a special love for the Blessed Mother.  Help us to always walk with her and her Son, Jesus as we journey together through this life.  In Jesus name, and through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, we pray.  Amen.

Quote about St Joseph Cafasso

“A single word from Him – a look, a smile, his very presence – sufficed to dispel melancholy, drive away temptation and produce holy resolution in the soul.”  Saint John Bosco writing about Saint Joseph.

Words of St. Joseph Cafasso

“We are born to love, we live to love, and we will die to love still more.” 

"What a beautiful death to die for the love of Mary! To die on a day dedicated to Mary! To die at a moment most glorious for Mary! To go to Heaven in the company of Mary! To have the happiness of being near Mary for all eternity!"

Note: Joseph Cafasso had great devotion to Mary.  His Saturdays were completely devoted to her; he observed a rigorous fast, and often expressed the desire to die on a Saturday.