St. Joseph Cafasso
Feast Day: June 23
Born in Italy’s Piedmont region, Joseph studied at a seminary near Turin. He was ordained a diocesan priest in 1833, and continued studies in
theology at the Institute of St. Francis in Turin. Despite having a twisted spine, Joseph became a popular lecturer at the institute and in 1848 its rector. He was a wise mentor to his priest students, including St. John Bosco, founder of the Salesians, with whom he had an enduring friendship. He was a well-known confessor and spiritual adviser, and an advocate for prisoners, accompanying more than 60 condemned men to their public execution by hanging.
