Saint Bartolo Longo

by Fr. Gabriel Mosher, OP

There are times in the Christian life when we must face our past. Sometimes that is reconciling with those we have hurt, sometimes it is calling to conversion those who have hurt us, and sometimes it is preaching to those who do harm to themselves or others. St. Bartolo Longo was faced with just such a moment after he returned to the practice of his Catholic faith. By spending time in communal prayer, instruction, and study, he was equipped with everything he needed to return to a place of darkness from his own past.

St. Bartolo Longo had been a leader in a group of practitioners of the occult. In a fit of zeal for souls and a desire to make reparation for his past transgressions, he resolved to return to his former association one last time. Instead of returning for wicked fellowship, he had something else in mind. He entered into that dark parlor and greeted his former conspirators. But instead of leading the group in their vain attempts at glory and control, he rose in their midst and did the unexpected. He began to preach the Gospel. He desperately sought to convert those men and women who had strayed down the path of darkness and death to the path of light and life. He preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He proclaimed the glories of the Rosary. He spoke to their hearts about true happiness and peace. When he had finished his task, he left that place, never to return.

We have no record of whether his efforts planted the seeds of faith in the hearts of his former associates. We do not know what secret ways the Lord began to work in the hearts of those who had turned away from him. But we do know how it affected the man himself. By confronting the darkness of his past, he was made free. He was free to seek ever more diligently the renewed life of grace that he had discovered. The power of this witness broke the ties of the occult that had bound him. This was a decisive moment in his path to holiness. We can look to him as an example of how to do the same. Supported by prayer, community, and sound teaching, we can revisit the problems, trials, and traumas in our life with the authority of Christ and the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

This was not the only time that St. Bartolo Longo faced the darkness. Sometimes we find the darkness within. This blessed man frequently suffered from strong temptations to despair and suicide. According to his own testimony, he was able to resist these urges due to a special closeness he had with the Blessed Virgin. He vigorously prayed the Rosary in her honor daily, and more so when these temptations would assault him. One such moment was so strong that he fell to his knees in the middle of the street and lost all sense of self. But in that moment, he was able to turn to the chaplet of our Mother and resist the temptation in tears, suffering, and eventually joy. In addition to this deep devotion to the Blessed Mother, he was supported by a Dominican spiritual director, a number of other holy priests, and a loving circle of friends with whom he would regularly pray and practice good works of charity. In these moments, we need the care of our community, professional assistance, and the gentle embrace of the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary.

Whether the darkness we face is within or without, we can lean on St. Bartolo Longo. Pray to him to aid you in the trials of your life. Pray for the courage to stand against the darkness of sin, sadness, and despair. Pray for the healing and conversion of those still captivated by the darkness. Ask this great saint to intercede for you and for all of those who need the true freedom that is only found in Christ. Pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary, particularly under the title of Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, for the fullness of God’s grace to overcome every form that the darkness may take in your life.

Novena-Our Lady of the Rosary-2025

Feature Article - Theology for the Laity

Saint Bartolo Longo- Our Newest Saint- as of October 19, 2025

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