Exploring the Life of Saint Cajetan: An Italian Priest and Patron Saint of Job Seekers

Saint Cajetan, also known as Gaetano dei Conti di Thiene, was a Catholic priest and religious reformer who lived in the 16th century. He was born in the town of Vicenza, Italy, in 1480. He was the son of a noble family and was educated at the University of Padua, where he studied law and philosophy. He later traveled to Rome, where he met Pope Julius II, who encouraged him to enter the priesthood. Cajetan was ordained in 1516 and became a parish priest in Venice.

He devoted himself to improving the spiritual and material conditions of the poor in his diocese. Saint Cajetan's founded the Theatines, a religious order dedicated to the reform of the clergy and the promotion of Christian piety. The order was officially recognized by Pope Paul III in 1524, and its members were known for their emphasis on humility, simplicity, and charity. His Order of Theatines still exists today and there are over 500 members.

Saint Cajetan is the patron saint of the unemployed, job seekers, and gamblers. He is also invoked against financial difficulties and financial fraud. Saint Cajetan was a strong advocate for the poor and the sick, and he established a hospital in Naples to care for them. He is also credited with establishing the first public bank in Italy, which gave loans to the poor.

In addition to his work with the Theatines, Saint Cajetan also played a prominent role in the Council of Trent, a 16th-century ecumenical council of the Catholic Church. He was a strong advocate for the reform of the clergy and the Church, and he worked to promote religious education and the spiritual formation of priests.

Saint Cajetan was born on October 1, 1480 in Vicenza, Italy, and died on August 7, 1547 in Naples, Italy. He was canonized by Pope Pius XI on July 1, 1929. Saint Cajetan's feast day is celebrated on August 7th. The Theatines also celebrate the feast of Saint Cajetan on August 8th, which is the day of his ordination as a priest.