Bartolo Longo: life, work and prayer

Born into a wealthy family, Bartolo Longo went through a troubled period before experiencing a radical conversion and an unwavering dedication to charity. Pope John Paul II called him "the apostle of the rosary". He is a witness that no life is hopeless, and that all our lives can be renewed if we let Christ into our lives. He has been a saint since October 19, 2025.

Youth and spiritual conversion

"My only desire is to see Mary, who saved me and will save me from the clutches of Satan.

Bartolo Longo was born in Apulia (southern Italy) on February 10, 1841. He grew up in a well-to-do family, but was not spared hardship. His mother died when he was barely 10. This painful ordeal drew him so far away from the faith that he turned to the occult and spiritualism.

At 16, he wanted to become a lawyer. He continued his youth in Naples, enjoying his student life and experimenting with drugs and other unethical practices.

At 20, he was ordained a Satanist priest. All this upheaval and evil begins to weigh heavily on Bartolo's shoulders, and he starts to feel very bad and becomes paranoid. 

He goes to see a friend, Vincenzo Pepe, who says something that sends shockwaves through the young lawyer's heart."To be damned forever; is that what you want? "

From then on, Bartolo gradually returned to the path of goodness, accompanied by a priest who encouraged him to make a good confession . He began to devote himself to various charities and denounced Satanist practices.

Six years after his conversion, on the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary (October 7), Bartolo entered the Dominican Third Order.

Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary, Pompeii

In Pompeii, a region marked by profound spiritual and material misery, Bartolo was inspired to dedicate himself to the propagation of the Rosary , following a voice that told him: " If you seek salvation, spread the Rosary. This is Mary's promise. He  then embarked on a mission of evangelization among the peasants, distributing rosaries and medals. The shrine is still very popular with pilgrims  today. 

Social work

Alongside his missionary work to spread the rosary, Bartolo set up orphanages and cared for the poorest of the poor , working closely with Countess Fusco (a widow and mother). This close collaboration gave rise to a number of rumors. Encouraged by Pope Leo XIII, he marries the Countess and enters into a sham marriage. Bartolo had taken a vow of chastity. Together, they served the less fortunate with great charity, while spreading Marian devotion in Pompeii.

The end of Bartolo Longo's life

Bartolo died in Pompeii on October 5, 1926, aged 85. He was beatified on October 26, 1980 by Pope John Paul II, who called him "Apostle of the Rosary". Following a second miracle, Bartolo was canonized by Pope Leo XIV on October 19, 2025.

Bartolo Longo's prayer to the Virgin Mary

"Here I am on Your knees, O Immaculate Mother of Jesus, You who love to be invoked under the name of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii. With joy in my heart, and my soul filled with the deepest gratitude, I return to You, O my generous Benefactress, my sweet Saviour.reuse, my sweet Patroness, Sovereign of my heart, to You, who have shown Yourself truly my Mother, and Mother full of love for me. I groaned, and You listened to me; I was afflicted, and You consoled me; I was in anguish, and You gave me peace. Mortal pains and sorrows besieged my heart, and You, O Mother, from the height of Your throne in Pompeii, You soothed my spirit with one of Your merciful glances. Who has ever turned to You with confidence and not been heard? Ah, if the world knew more of Your kindness and compassion for those who suffer, how all creatures would turn to You! Blessed forever, O Virgin Sovereign of Pompeii, blessed by me and by all, by men and by angels, by earth and by heaven. Amen. "

Prayer to ask for Bartolo Longo's intercession

God, Father of mercy, we praise you for having given to human history Blessed Bartolo Longo, ardent apostle of the Rosary and shining example of a layman committed to the evangelical witness of faith and charity.

We thank you for his extraordinary spiritual journey, for his prophetic intuitions, for his tireless work in the service of the last and the excluded, for the devotion with which he filially served your Church and built the new city of love in Pompeii.

We pray that Blessed Bartolo Longo will soon be counted among the Saints of the Universal Church, so that all may follow him as a model of life and enjoy his intercession.

Amen

Pray the rosary with Hozana and discover other saints

If you'd like to become a rosary apostle, you can register with Hozana and take part in various communities.

Following in Bartolo Longo's footsteps, you can join Rosario to create a living rosary in your parish. Spreading this prayer fills the heart of the Virgin Mary with joy.

You can also take advantage of a community where you can listen to a podcast and get motivated to pray it every day.