Argentineans celebrate feast of St. Cajetan, patron of divine providence

Buenos Aires, Argentina, Aug 6, 2007 / 09:00 am

The Shrine of St. Cajetan in the Buenos Aires district of Liniers will celebrate the feast day of its patron on August 7, with Argentineans coming together to give thanks for favors received and to pray for their needs.

The celebrations began on July 29 with a special novena.  On August 7, the faithful will be able to enter the Shine beginning at midnight, and they will be received by Auxiliary Bishop Raul Martin of Buenos Aires who, together with Father Gerardo Andres Castellano and other priests, will impart the first blessing of the day.

As part of the festivities, Masses will be celebrated throughout the day, with Cardinal Jorge Mario of Buenos Aires presiding at the 11am Mass.

The staff at the Shrine has asked the faithful to bring clothes and medicine instead of the traditional flowers and candles, as a show of solidarity for the needy.

St. Cajetan was born in 1480.  He studied law and was named by Pope Julius II to an important post at the Chancery of the Pontifical States where, together with a group of diplomats, he was able to prevent a war between the Republic of Venice and the Vatican State.  On September 30, 1516, at the age of 36, he was ordained a priest.  He founded the Clerics Regular.  He died on August 7, 1547, and was declared a saint on April 12, 1671.