WORDS FROM FATHER YOHANES: Saint Gaetano Errico

By Father Yohanes Akoit

Gaetano Errico was born on Oct 19, 1791 in Secondigliano, a small village on the northern boundary of the City of Naples, Italy. He was the second of nine children born to Pasquale and Marie (Marseglia) Errico. His father managed a small pasta factory and his mother worked at the loom weaving plush. As a child he was known in the small village as a good and obedient child, who helped his father in the pasta factory and eagerly shared his parent’s deep faith. By age 14, Gaetano felt called to the priesthood and religious life. However, Gaetano’s first choice, the Capuchins and the Redemptorist rejected his application be-cause of his age.

At the age of 16 he proceeded to apply for the Archdiocesan Seminary of Naples and was accepted. In January 1808, having re-ceived the habit of the Diocese, he began his studies. His family’s meagre income did not allow him to reside at the seminary. He therefore registered as a day student which required him to walk the eight kilometers to the seminary and back each day.

During his years of formation in the seminary, he did very well in his studies. He was deeply faithful to his spiritual life never missing daily Mass and reception of the Eucharist. While still living at home with his parents, he managed to help them as well. The villagers noted his diligence in filling his days with the studies for the priesthood, visiting the sick on Thursday and even on Sunday he walked through the town encouraging the children to attend their catechism classes.

On Sept.23, 1815, Gaetano was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Ruffo Scilla. Soon after ordination he was appointed to a position as a teacher.

For the next twenty years , he taught his students with exemplary dedication. Entrusted to his care, his students received both the elements of a good education and spiritual formation.

He also served with loving commitment in pastoral service at the Parish Church of Saint Cosmas and Damian. His ministry was characterized by four principle concerns: Proclamation of the Word; Ministry of Reconciliation; material and spiritual assistance to the sick and selfless charity.

In 1818 while praying during his annual Retreat, an extraordinary event occurred—an event that would change his life forever. St. Alphonsus Liquori appeared to him in a vision and told him that God wanted him to found a new religious congregation.

Further, as a sign of this desire, he was to build a church in Secondigliano in honour of Our Lady of Sorrows. With this vision of Our Lady in his mind, Gaetano was assured that he would suc-ceed. The Church of Our Lady of Sorrows was blessed on Dec 9, 1830.

Fr. Gaetano began the construction of a house to serve as the first home of the future congregation. Upon completion of the home, he commissioned Francesco Verzella, a famous Neapolitan sculpture, to create an image of Our Lady of Sorrows. It has been said the sculptor had to redo the statue several times. The vision of her facely sorrow was clear in Fr. Errico’s mind Finally the sculptor got it right and Fr. Errico exclaimed, “It is so!”

The statue arrived in May of 1835 and from then on drew an unending number of pilgrims.

The following year, again while on retreat in Pagani, God revealed to him that the new congregation to be founded must be in honour of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

To be continued next Sunday……...St. Gaetano Errica (1791-1860-Biography) Source: The Holy See

Father Yohanes Akoit is pastor of St. Julian and St. Anthony Catholic churches in Kentucky.