Bartolo Longo - From Satanist To Saint

By TOM DENNEHY

Blessed Bartolo Longo is one of the most remarkable figures in modern Catholic history, not only for his dramatic personal conversion but also for his tireless promotion of the Rosary. Once a Satanic priest, now his deep love for the Rosary led him to dedicate his life to spreading its practice and message, particularly among the poor and uneducated. Through his efforts, the town of Pompeii was revitalized spiritually and physically and the Rosary regained prominence as a vital tool for spiritual warfare, holiness and peace.

A Life Turned Around

Born in 1841 in Latiano, Italy, Bartolo Longo was raised in a devout Catholic family. However, during his time at the University of Naples, he became involved with anti-Catholic ideologies and was eventually drawn into occult practices. He was ordained a priest of Satan—a shocking departure from his Christian upbringing. This period of his life was marked by depression, anxiety, inner turmoil and attempted suicide. Eventually, through the influence of a close friend and the guidance of Dominican priest, Fr. Alberto Radente, Bartolo underwent a radical conversion back to the Catholic faith. He confessed, renounced his former ways and vowed to dedicate the rest of his life to making reparation for his sins. He credited his salvation to the Blessed Virgin Mary, saying, “Whoever spreads the Rosary is saved!” This belief would become the foundation of his life’s mission. The Power of the Rosary

The Rosary, our Catholic devotion involving the meditative repetition of prayers while contemplating key events in the life of Christ and Mary, was central to Bartolo Longo’s spirituality. He believed the Rosaryhad the power to bring peace to hearts, families and even nations. Inspired by the teachings of St. Dominic and the spiritual writings of Pope Pius V, Longo saw the Rosary as a weapon against evil, particularly relevant in an age of increasing secularism and spiritual confusion.

Longo’s devotion wasn’t just personal. He saw the Rosary as a means to lead others to Christ through Mary. After his conversion, he began teaching the Rosary to children, promoting it among the poor and organizing Rosary festivals. He also wrote extensively on the subject, producing pamphlets and meditations to help others understand and engage with the devotion more deeply.

The Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary in Pompeii

Perhaps Bartolo Longo’s most enduring legacy is the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary in Pompeii. In the late 1800’s, Longo arrived in Pompeii, which was then a region of great poverty, superstition and moral decline. Seeing the people’s suffering, both material and spiritual, he felt called to bring the Rosary to them as a source of healing and transformation.

He began restoring a dilapidated church and organized the construction of a grand basilica dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary. He acquired a damaged image of the Virgin Mary handing the Rosary to St. Dominic and St. Catherine of Sienna, which became the miraculous centerpiece of the shrine. Over time, this painting became associated with many reported miracles, drawing pilgrims from across Italy and beyond. The shrine became not just a place of worship but also a centre for charitable work. Longo founded schools, orphanages and homes for the children of prisoners, ensuring that spiritual care was accompanied by concrete acts of mercy. He understood that the Rosary wasn’t merely a prayer to be recited, but a call to live out the Gospel in acts of love and service.

Legacy and Beatification

Bartolo Longo’s life was a striking example of how no one is beyond the reach of God’s mercy. His story of conversion, from darkness to light, has inspired countless people to return to the faith or deepen their spiritual lives. In 1980, Pope John Paul II beatified him, calling him the “Man of the Madonna” and “Apostle of the Rosary.”

Today, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary in Pompeii contains his incorrupt body and remains a vibrant place of pilgrimage and the Rosary continues to be a source of strength for millions. Bartolo Longo’s message still resonates: “Pray the Rosary every day. Promote the Rosary. The Rosary is a powerful weapon against the evils of our time.” His legacy is a reminder that even the darkest of pasts can be transformed by grace—and that the Rosary is a lifeline to that grace.

On the 19th October, Bartolo Longo will be canonized a saint by Pope Leo XIV.