#NewSaintNovember continues with our final (9th of 9) newly canonized saints: St. Bartolo Longo (1841 – 1926).
It can be hard to relate to the saints sometimes. Many have extraordinary gifts combined with virtually flawless habits, which can inadvertently make us feel a little inadequate.
But that certainly isn’t the case with St. Bartolo Longo. 🇮🇹
Born and raised in a devout catholic home in southern Italy, Bartolo lost his way as a young man. During his time at law school he unfortunately got involved with occult practices and he even claimed, at one point, that he was an “ordained” Satanist priest. He would wander for years in extremely serious mental anguish and darkness – until one day he felt a powerful call to return to God.
He got help from a Dominican priest and fully reconciled with the Church. He developed a strong devotion to Our Lady, and would go on to build the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii, a major shrine that’s become, to this day, one of the biggest Marian pilgrimage sites in the world.
Many are already calling him a special intercessor for those trapped in occult practices, those struggling with anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts, and anyone who feels “too far gone” for God’s mercy. He is certainly a saint for the times.
St. Bartolo Longo, pray for us, and for all who feel far from God. 🙏
As we close this series, take a moment to pause and pray. Is there a saint that God is putting on your heart? If so, that saint might be knocking on YOUR door to have a relationship with you. During this upcoming Advent season, may we open our hearts fully to God’s plan – and how the saints in heaven might be offering their guidance to us!
#NewSaintNovember #StBartoloLongo #InfiniteMercy #ShrineofPompeii #BayouCatholic #htdiocese
