Saint Bartolo Longo – Apostle of the Rosary & Saint of Conversion

ST. BARTOLO LONGO

Bartolo Longo was an Italian layman and lawyer who experienced a dramatic conversion from occultism to Catholic faith, becoming known as the “Apostle of the Rosary.” He founded the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary in Pompeii and devoted his life to spreading the Rosary and serving the poor.

Bartolo Longo was born on 10 February 1841 in Latiano (near Brindisi) in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. He studied law in Naples and became a lawyer, but suffered a serious spiritual crisis. He became involved in spiritism and occult practices, which led to profound depression, anxiety and guilt. Through the help of a Dominican friar, he returned to the Catholic faith, joined the Third Order of the Dominicans on 7 October 1871 under the name “Rosario,” and embraced a strong devotion to the Virgin Mary and the Rosary.
In 1872 he moved to the Valley of Pompeii and began to promote a restoration of faith in a neglected region. He obtained an old image of Our Lady of the Rosary which he placed in a humble church and began gathering pilgrims. He initiated the construction of a new church whose cornerstone was laid on 8 May 1876 and which was consecrated in May 1891.
Bartolo married the widow Countess Marianna di Fusco on 7 April 1885, at the suggestion of Pope Leo XIII; their marriage was lived in continence. Together they founded charitable works: homes for orphans, children of prisoners, schools for the poor. In 1906 Bartolo and Marianna donated all their works to the Holy See.
He continued promoting the Rosary through publications (including a popular “Practice of the Fifteen Saturdays” devotion) and traveled to raise funds. His influence spread widely. He was nominated twice for the Nobel Peace Prize (1902, 1903) in recognition of his humanitarian efforts.
Bartolo Longo died on 5 October 1926 in Pompeii at the age of 85. His body was interred beneath the shrine he founded; soon after his death his cause of canonisation began. He was beatified on 26 October 1980 by Pope John Paul II, who called him “Apostle of the Rosary.” On 25 February 2025 Pope Francis approved the vote for his canonisation and he was proclaimed a saint on 19 October 2025 by Pope Leo XIV. His life is a remarkable example of radical conversion, deep Marian devotion, and social charity.

Feast Day

5-10-

Birth Date

10-2-1841

Died Date

5-10-1926

Canonised Date

19-10-2025

Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii, Italy

“O Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary, help us to spread devotion to the Rosary and grant us the grace of conversion, through the intercession of Saint Bartolo Longo.”
ST. BARTOLO LONGO

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ST. BARTOLO LONGO

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