THEATINES (CLERICS REGULAR)

 

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THE THEATINES (CLERICS REGULAR)

The Theatines (Clerics Regular, "Clerks Regular") are a religious order of men, founded by Gaetano dei Conti di Tiene (Saint Cajetan), Paolo Consiglieri, Bonifacio da Colle, and Giovanni Pietro Carafa (Caraffa), afterwards Pope Paul IV. 

Giovanni Pietro Carafa was Bishop of Chieti (Theate), a city of the Abruzzi in Southern Italy, from which the congregation adopted its specific name, to distinguish it from other congregations (Jesuits, Barnabites, Somaschi, Caracciolini, etc.) modelled upon it. 

Gaetano consecrated his order to the Cross, which he adopted as its emblem, and the foundation took place on the feast of the Finding of the Holy Cross, May 3, 1524. It was approved on June 24, 1524, by Clement VII in the Brief "Exponi Nobis". On September 14, feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Saint Gaetano and his companions made solemn profession before the papal altar of Saint Peter's, Rome, in the presence of Mgr. Giovanni Battista Bonziano, Bishop of Caserta, special papal delegate. 

The chief object of the Order was to recall the clergy to an edifying life and the laity to the practice of virtue. Saint Gaetano and his companions zealously endeavoured to combat the errors of Martin Luther, which, having gained a foothold in Switzerland, Germany, England, and France, then threatened Italy. They founded oratories (among them the celebrated Divino Amore) and hospitals, devoted themselves to preaching the Gospel, and reforming lax morals. Through their good example clergy and laity were induced to better living.

Notwithstanding their severe rule of life and strict vow of poverty, the congregation rapidly developed, and soon numbered among its members illustrious names of the Italian aristocracy (Vezzosi, "Illustri scrittori Teatini", Rome, 1780). 

Information from Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913

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