Blessed Bartolo Longo, apostle of the Rosary

Blessed Bartolo Longo was born in 1841 in Italy and initially fell away from the faith, becoming involved in occult practices. Through conversion and repentance, he became a fervent Catholic layman and dedicated himself to promoting the Rosary. He founded the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary in Pompeii and worked tirelessly for social justice and the care of orphans. Blessed Bartolo Longo was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1980 and is remembered as the Apostle of the Rosary.