Revolution of Love.com
Blessed Bartolo Longo: From Priest of Satan to Marian Apostle
(1841-1926)
Is it possible for an ex-satanist priest to be beatified by the Roman Catholic Church? The answer is yes! Blessed Bartolo Longo is proof of this.
Born in Latiano Italy, Bartolo was raised in a Godly home and was considered a pious child. This changed when Bartolo went off to the University of Naples where he, so to speak, hung out with the wrong crowd and got himself involved with the occult. Eventually he joined a group of satanists and became a satanic priest.
Following his entrance into the satanic priesthood Bartolo's physical and mental health declined. After visiting his friend Vincenzo Pepe, who was a devout Catholic, Bartolo decided to quit satanism and returned to the Church. In 1871 Bartolo became a third order Dominican and took the name Brother Rosary.
Bartolo became a great Marian apostle. His prayer and spirituality was based on the most holy Rosary which is why John Paul II mentioned Bartolo several times in his Apostolic Letter on the Holy Rosary.
I believe there are two lessons we can learn from Bartolo. First, that no matter what you did in your past, no matter how far you have fallen, God is always there to invite you back into his loving embrace. Second, that if you want to overcome temptation, grow in holiness, and live your life for God, PRAY THE ROSARY!
God bless!
For further reading about Bl. Bartolo Longo or the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary in Pompeii, Italy visit:
Marymediatrix.com - Bl. Bartolo Longo: Modern Rosary Saint
Catholic.net - From Priest of Satan to Apostle of the Rosary
Year of the Rosary.org - Our Lady of Pompeii