A portrait of St. Joseph Cafasso
St. Joseph Cafasso
15 January 1811 – 23 June 1860
Feast
June 23 · XIX c.
Patron of
Prisoners · Prison chaplains · Condemned prisoners
Order
Priest
Italian priest (1811-1860), Piedmontese, professor and rector of the Convitto ecclesiastico of Turin where he formed nearly all the priests of his diocese, including St. John Bosco, who called him "my master" and wrote his Life. Renowned chaplain to Turin's condemned prisoners. Canonized 1947 by Pius XII.
Life & Times
Born: 15 January 1811 · Died: 23 June 1860 · From: Italy.
Patronage
St. Joseph Cafasso is invoked as the patron of prisoners, prison chaplains, condemned prisoners. Those in these callings or circumstances often turn to this saint in prayer.
“Today, my dear son, today, today!”— Frequent counsel to Don Bosco and other Turin priests; recorded in Don Bosco's biography of him (1860)
Shop St. Joseph Cafasso Products
Devotional items honoring St. Joseph Cafasso, from our Sancta Lumina collection and beyond.
About Catholic Saints
Catholic saints, including St. Joseph Cafasso, are Christians whom the Catholic Church has formally recognized as having lived lifes of heroic holiness and who now dwell with God in heaven, offering an example of faith for those still on their earthly journey. Catholics don't worship saints, but ask them to pray to God with us and for us — much as one might ask a trusted friend to pray for them — trusting that those closest to God can join their voices to ours before Him. Discover more saints in the Catholic Shop Saints section.