22 Facts About Joseph Cafasso

Joseph Cafasso was an Italian Catholic priest who was a significant social reformer in Turin.

Joseph Cafasso was one of the so-called "Social Saints" who emerged during that particular era.

Joseph Cafasso is known as the "Priest of the Gallows" due to his extensive work with those prisoners who were condemned to death.

Giuseppe Cafasso was born to peasants in Castelnuovo d'Asti as the third of four children.

Joseph Cafasso had been born with a deformed spine which contributed to his short stature and frail constitution.

Joseph Cafasso received his ordination to the priesthood in the archdiocesan cathedral on 21 September 1833.

Joseph Cafasso underwent some further theological studies at the Turin college four months after his ordination and it was at that time that in 1834 that he came to know Luigi Guala - the co-founder of the Institute of Saint Francis of Assisi.

Joseph Cafasso would be connected to this institution for the rest of his life advancing from student to lecturer to chaplain and then at last being named Guala's successor as the college's rector in 1848.

Joseph Cafasso became a noted lecturer in moral theological subjects since 1836 and drew on the teachings of the French school in spiritual studies with its leading figures such as Pierre de Berulle and Vincent de Paul.

Joseph Cafasso worked against the spirit of Jansenism with its strong focus on sin and damnation which he had found to be influential amongst the students.

Joseph Cafasso used the teachings of Alphonsus Liguori and Francis de Sales to moderate the rigorism of the education there while striving to offer simple values and morals as a greater substitute.

Joseph Cafasso likewise fought against state intrusion in the affairs of the church.

Joseph Cafasso never smoked nor did he drink things other than water alone.

Joseph Cafasso never indulged in coffee nor things between his meals.

Joseph Cafasso never complained about toothaches or headaches but bore his pain with remarkable resilience as a sign of his own personal cross.

Joseph Cafasso was once asked whether or not his constant work ever wore him out and he said: "Our rest will be in Heaven".

Joseph Cafasso celebrated Mass each 4:30 am and was known for spending long hours in the confessional and chapel.

Joseph Cafasso was a noted confessor and spiritual director who guided people who would go on to found new religious institutions or congregations which would help the church to meet the needs of the whole world.

Joseph Cafasso was known for his extensive work in the local prisons and served as the comforter of those condemned to death so much so that he was called "The Priest of the Gallows".

Joseph Cafasso died on 23 June 1860 and his friend Bosco preached though was not the celebrant for the Mass.

Joseph Cafasso had died from pneumonia coupled with a stomach haemorrhage and complications from congenital medical issues.

Joseph Cafasso bequeathed all he had in his will to the Little House of Divine Providence which was the religious order that Giuseppe Benedetto Cottolengo had founded some decades before.