A Saint Besieged: Heaven Knows, Many Need Help

St Cajetan praying to the Holy Virgin

A newspaper article from the late 1990s 

when the Argentine Financial Crisis was at its height

8th August 1997

Unable to feed his family after losing his job as a welder last year, Roberto Fuentes went to church on Wednesday afternoon to petition St. Cayetano, the patron saint of bread and work.

But Mr. Fuentes had to wait in line, a rather long line stretching 15 city blocks, as Argentines flocked to pay homage to St. Cayetano, a priest who used his family fortune to help the poor of Naples and who died on Aug. 7, 1547.

After waiting 18 hours through a freezing winter night, Mr. Fuentes, 32, burst into tears and walked on his knees when he entered St. Cayetano Sanctuary on the outskirts of Buenos Aires.

''As it was in your day, St. Cayetano, the Government ignores those in need,'' Mr. Fuentes said, kneeling before a statue of the saint. ''We are hungry, we are cold, we are suffering. All we have is you, dear Saint.''

It was a scene repeated over and over again today as more than a million people passed through the church -- a record turnout, according to police estimates.

On seeing the small statue of St. Cayetano, which cradles a baby Jesus in its arms, many people gasped, crossed themselves or prayed loudly as they held rosaries. Some kissed or placed their hands on the glass encasing the statue. An elderly woman fainted at the foot of the statue but was revived by Red Cross workers, who said she had forgotten to eat during the nine hours she waited.

Church officials said the vast pilgrimage was an extraordinary outpouring of faith and proof that Roman Catholicism was still relevant in Argentina despite the recent growth of Protestantism and sects.

But critics of President Carlos Saul Menem's Government said the large turnout reflected just how desperate Argentines have become after years of record unemployment and declining salaries in a country that was accustomed to lifelong employment.

Church officials said the Government's inflexibility perhaps explained why the number of Argentines who came to honor St. Cayetano was so large this year.

''Argentines are an intelligent people and they know where to go when they need help, especially material things,'' said the Rev. Fernando Maletti, who oversees St. Cayetano Sanctuary. ''They know when it's appropriate to block roads, or to knock on the door of a Government agency, or to go to church and ask God or the saints for what they need.''

O Glorious St Cajetan, Father of Divine Providence, help all those who are unemployed, who search for employment and who fear for their jobs, lead them towards what they are looking for and pray for us all that we may be courageous in the face of adversity.

Monthly Commemoration of St Cajetan

A Statue of St Cajetan from Hamrun, Malta

O Glorious St Cajetan, Father of Divine Providence, help all those who are unemployed, who search for employment and who fear for their jobs, lead them towards what they are looking for and pray for us all that we may be courageous in the face of adversity

Why positivity must be carefully cultivated and negativity avoided at all costs

Once, a young man visited the renowned Father Paisios of Mt Athos for advice. Being simple-hearted, however, he couldn't restrain himself from listening to negative thoughts. These thoughts were acting as an obstacle to every good work he was trying to accomplish. Father Paisios, due to his discretion, realised that his negative thoughts were the cause of his problem and told him the following:

-There was a man who used to say: “If I get married and have children, and my children are boys and there is war, they will have to join the army and finally they will get killed. So, there is no reason for me to get married.”

Then, the Elder turns to him and says:

- Isn't that a silly thought?

- Yes, the young man replied.

The Elder went on:

-Be careful, because you are doing the same thing. Bear in mind that you will never achieve anything good, if you think and act this way.

Fr Paisios (1924-1994) in his cell on Mt Athos

 

St Anthony the miracle worker, helper in difficulty

St Cajetan always ardently recommended that his parishoners should have a strong faith in God's saints and encouraged them to access this heavenly treasury through Novena prayers and the recitation of Holy Rosary. In fact there is a story told of him that whenever a parishioner asked him to pray on their behalf for a special need, he would ask them to promise a certain number of rosaries or candles

if their request should be granted, naturally they always had to "pay up".

The prayer below in honour of St Anthony is known for being very miraculous and gains great graces for those who say it with faith.

The Responsary Of St Anthony

1. If then you ask for miracles,

go to St Anthony,

Death, error, all calamities,

leprosy and demons fly,

And health succeeds infirmities.

Chorus:

The sea obeys, and fetters break,

And lifeless limbs thou dost restore,

Whilst treasures lost are found again,

When young and old thine aid implore.

2. All dangers vanish at thy prayer,

And direst need doth quickly flee;

Let those who know thy power proclaim,

Let Paduans say: "These are of thee." 

Chorus:

The sea obeys, and fetters break,

And lifeless limbs thou dost restore,

Whilst treasures lost are found again,

When young and old thine aid implore.

3. Glory be to the Father, the Son & The Holy Spirit

As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, World without end.

Amen

Chorus:

The sea obeys, and fetters break,

And lifeless limbs thou dost restore,

Whilst treasures lost are found again,

When young and old thine aid implore.

Pray for us, Blessed Anthony,

That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.

O God! May the votive commemoration of St. Anthony, Thy Confessor

and Doctor, be a source of joy to Thy Church, that she may always be

fortified with spiritual assistance and may deserve to possess eternal joy.

Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.