7 Key data on Bartolo Longo, the former Satanist who became Apostle of the Rosary

Blessed Bartolo Longo, whose canonization has been approved at the end of February, had a life marked by a deep transformation. Having been a “priest” of Satanism, became the great apostle of the Virgen del Rosario de Pompeya, in Italy.

In this article we share seven interesting data about your life.

1. He grew up in a Catholic family, but over time he turned away from faith.

Bartolo Longo was born on February 10, 1841 in Latiano, near Brindisi, in southern Italy. His parents, Dr. Bartolomeo Longo and Antonina Luparelli, were devout Catholics and prayed the family rosary.

However, the death of his mother in 1851 marked the beginning of his church distancing. By moving to Naples to study law, he was influenced by Spiritist and anticatolic circleswhich led him to embrace the occult.

2. It became a satanic “priest”

In 1862, Bartolo arrived in Naples to study at the university and obtain the title of lawyer. During those years, he was started in a pagan group and became “ordered” as a satanic priest. He got involved in spiritualism sessions and divination practices, convinced of his ability to make real magic.

3. He fought against anxiety and depression, and even against suicidal thoughts

His immersion in the occult led him to a deep depression, paranoia episodes and terrifying visions. In his despair, he heard the voice of his deceased father begging him: “He returns to God! Go back to God! ” Moved by this vision, he sought the help of Professor Vincenzo Pepe, who addressed the Dominican priest Alberto Radente.

4. He returned to the Catholic Church under the guidance of a priest

In 1865, under the guidance of Fr. Radente, Longo began praying the rosary and became again the Catholicism of his childhood. However, the spiritual struggle continued, taking it to the edge of suicide. At that time of despair, he recalled the words of Fr. Radent about a promise of the Virgin Mary: “If you are looking for salvation, propagates the rosary.” Kneeling, made a vote: “If this is true … I will not leave this valley until your rosary spread”

5. It became a Dominican of the third order and spread the prayer of the rosary

Longo became a Dominican of the third order in 1871. His lawyer profession took him to meet Countess Marianna Fornaro, a widow of De Fusco, who asked him to administer his lands in the Pompeii Valley. When he reached that place in October 1872, he found a place in spiritual abandonment and with numerous social problems. On this site she had a special vision in which the Virgin reminded her that “who spreads the Holy Rosary will be saved.”

Moved by this inspiration, the young lawyer quickly established a network of contacts that, in a short time, transformed Pompeii into the city of the Rosary. He also wrote many texts to spread the Rosary and Marian spirituality, and performed numerous charity works.

6. He promoted the construction of the Pompeii sanctuary

To promote devotion, he sought an image of the Virgen del Rosario, a devotion very dear to the Dominican parents, and received one in deplorable state, found in an antique store in Naples. Although its quality was poor, Long accepted it as a providential gift and made it restore.

Subsequently, in 1876 the construction of a sanctuary for the image of the Virgin began. In May 1891, the sanctuary was consecrated, changing for good the reality of the valley. The temple became a destination of numerous pilgrimages, including that of San Leonardo Murialdo, founder of the Congregation of San José, who confided his apostolate already his spiritual children at the foot of the Virgin.

Pope Francis visited the sanctuary in 2015, becoming the third time that a Pope stops to pray; The first was San Juan Pablo II in 1979, followed by Benedict XVI in 2008.

7. It was beatified by Pope San Juan Paul II

He died on October 5, 1926, at 75. In 1980, Pope San Juan Paul II beatified him and called him the “Apostle of the Rosary.” His last words were: “My only desire is to see Maria, who saved me and will save me from Satan’s claws.”

Fr. Salvatore Sorrentino, of the Pompeya Prelature, author of “In silence, the whisper of a voice. Bartolo Long’s spiritual itinerary”, Declared about him to ACI Stampa: “For us today, its history tells us: if we let go to grace, everything is possible. If we allow grace to work in us, it can perform miracles, such as conversion. This happened with Bartolo Longo, and his story keeps talking to us today. ”