October 5 is the feast day of Blessed Bartolo Longo. In 2025, the Church marks his feast for the last time before he become Saint Bartolo Longo this October 19. And so his first "saint" feast day will fall in 2026, which will also be the 100th anniversary of his death.
Who is he?
Well, some would say he's "proof that no one is too lost to be found."
If you don't know the story of this satanic priest turned saint and apostle of the Rosary, pause to read this:
With such an astonishing conversion story, it's no surprise that God used St. Bartolo in bringing about a deep devotion that continues today.
Thanks to Bartolo, the Shrine of Pompeii was restored, expanded, and is now the site of robust Marian devotion, particularly associated with two feast days.
Pause to read more about that here:
This shrine, the saint, and the supplication prayed there have been popular with the last few popes. Most recently, Pope Francis recommended praying the supplication a few times.
But this brings us to Leo, and today.
She always wants to be close
The feast of Our Lady of Pompeii is May 8, and the feast of Bartolo Longo is October 5. That means that the Supplication -- the special prayer -- is solemnly prayed at the Shrine on May 8 and the first Sunday of October, which is always close to Bartolo's feast (this year, it IS his feast.)
And this is where Pope Leo comes in. May 8, you'll recall, was the day he was elected to the Chair of Peter. He was aware that it was also Pompeii day, as he showed in his very first words as Pope:
Today is the day of the Supplicatio [Plea] to Our Lady of Pompei.
Our blessed mother Mary always wants to walk with us, be close to us, she always wants to help us with her intercession and her love. So let us pray together for this mission, and for all of the Church, and for peace in the world.
We ask for this special grace from Mary, our Mother.
And today, on this feast of very-soon-to-be St. Bartolo Longo, Pope Leo noted it again:
Let us join ourselves spiritually with those gathered at the Shrine in Pompeii for the Supplication to the Virgin of the Holy Rosary. In this month of October, as we contemplate with Mary the mysteries of Christ our Savior, let us deepen our prayer for peace: a prayer that becomes concrete solidarity with those people tormented by war. Thank you to the many children around the world who have committed themselves to praying the Rosary for this intention. You have our heartfelt thanks!
Growing!
So, let us grow closer in our friendship with Bartolo Longo in the lead-up to his canonization, grow more fervent in our love for Our Lady and devotion to the Rosary, and grow more insistent in praying for Pope Leo and for world peace.
Amen.
The full text of the Supplica prayer is at the link below:
