WORDS FROM FATHER YOHANES: Saint Gaetano Errico

(Editor's note: This is the second of a two-part article.)

By Father Yohanes Akoit

Gaetano Errica (1791-1860, biography)

Source: The Holy See

Fr. Errico already possessed within himself a most abiding devotion to the Sacred Hearts. Now he became even more ardent in sharing this love through all his apostolic and missionary activity.

The love of the Sacred Hearts urged him to seek sinners and bring them back to God, to give of himself tirelessly and unendingly. With a burning drive within his heart he especially searched out the most vulnerable, those in danger, the sick the abandoned and shunned and the spiritually bereft. He wanted everyone to feel the touch of a loving father who was ever ready to forgive and slow to anger.

He gained approval for the new congregation and its statues March 14, 1836 and in October of that year opened a novitiate with eight novices. He sought papal approval in May 1838. On June 30, the Congregation of Bishops and Regulars issued the decree.

In order to strengthen his Congregation, he sought royal approval which was granted on May 13, 1840.

In April 1846, he once again went to Rome to ask for final approval. The Congregation by now had grown, the number of its members had increased and new houses had been opened in southern Italy. On August 7, 1846, Blessed Pius IX issued the Apostolic Brief of Approbation. Gaetano was unanimously elected Superior General.

Fr. Gaetano was truly a man of God, a man with a mission, a man on fire with an unquenchable love of Jesus and Mary. The first secret of his holiness was prayer. Ever on his knees, his small room in the house in Secondigliano bears the indentations on the floor where, kneeling, he found refuge and strength.

Penance further sustained his holiness. He fasted continuously, often taking bread and water in order to give his share of food to the poor. Self-flagellation was part of his penance, offered humbly for the many sins that wounded the Heart of Jesus. He was never too tired to travel on, preaching, hearing confessions, encouraging the reception of the Body and Blood of Christ. His comfort and caring presence reminded all of the love of God the Father ..leading many in the small towns and villages to call him a saint.

Fr. Errico died on October 29, 1860 at 10:00 am at the age of 69.

His last testament to his missionaries was.. Love one another and be very observant of our Rules.

A saint is dead, “the townspeople of Secondigliano affirmed upon hearing the news of his death. It still echoes today, Gaetano Errico, affectionately known by all who knew him as O Superiore” (The Superior), continues to be an example, a reference point, an intercessor, showing the way to God as lived out in the example of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

In December 1876, Pope Leo XIII declared him Venerable and Pope Paul VI declared the heroism of his virtues with an apostolic decree on October 4, 1974.

Pope John Paul II on April 24, 2001, signed the Decree of Beautification after approving a miracle attributed to the sole intercession of Ven. Gaetano Errico.

On April 14, 2002, Pope John Paul II proclaimed him Blessed.

On 6 July, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI signed the decree approving the miracle for canonization, and on 1st March 2008 during a Consistory, decreed that on 12 October 2008 the Blessed Gaetano Errico be canonized.

Saint Gaetano Errico is the founder of the Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, Fr. Yohanes & Fr Lobo’s order.

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