Joseph Cafasso
Joseph Cafasso (15 January 1811 – 23 June 1860) was an Italian Catholic priest who was a significant social reformer in Turin. He was one of the so-called "Social Saints" who emerged during that particular era. He is known as the "Priest of the Gallows" due to his extensive work with those prisoners who were condemned to death. But he was also known for his excessive mortifications despite his frail constitution. He neglected certain foods and conditions to remain as frugal and basic as possible unless a doctor ordered otherwise.
The cause for his canonization commenced after his death and led to his beatification in mid-1925 and his canonization two decades later on 22 June 1947; he is a patron for Italian prisoners and prisoners amongst other things.
Patron saint of Italian prisons; Prison chaplains; Prisoners; Those condemned to death
In the Martyrology
- June 23 Saint Giuseppe Cafasso, priest