7th August 1547, St Cajetan goes to his final reward in Heaven

A Fresco of the death of St Cajetan, San Paulo Maggiore, Naples

The tomb of St Cajetan in San Paulo Maggiore, Naples

When the Saint was on his deathbed, his fellow Theatine brothers wished to move him from the hard wood floor where he habitually slept, to a proper bed to make him more comfortable. However St Cajetan, resigned to the Will of God, happy to suffer in offering a last act of penance for himself and the world, and eager for death to attain the heavenly crown he so longed for, protested and said, "if hard wood is good enough for my Saviour to die on then it is good enough for me". In these last moments he again beheld the Holy Mother of God, radiant with splendor and surrounded by ministering seraphim, in profound veneration, he said, "Lady, bless me!" Mary replied, "Cajetan, receive the blessing of my Son, and know that I am here as a reward for the sincerity of your love, and to lead you to paradise." She then exhorted him to patience in fighting an evil spirit who troubled him, and gave orders to the choirs of angels to escort his soul in triumph to heaven. Then, turning her countenance full of majesty and sweetness upon him, she said, "Cajetan, my Son calls thee. Let us go in peace.".

Worn out with toil and sickness, he went to his final heavenly reward on 7th August 1547.