Description
Saint Bartolo Longo, apostle of the Rosary at Pompeii
Bartolo Longo was born in Latiano in 1841 and trained as a lawyer. During his student years he became involved in spiritualism, but in 1865 he returned to Catholic faith with the help of friends and the Dominican friar Alberto Radente. As a Dominican tertiary, he devoted his life to the Rosary and to renewal in the neglected Pompeii valley. He promoted the shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary and linked devotion with practical charity. Pope Leo XIV canonized Bartolo Longo in Rome on October 19, 2025, recognizing a life shaped by conversion, prayer, and service.
Rosary, crucifix, and mantle with the Jerusalem cross
The image presents Longo as an elderly layman with a white beard. He holds a rosary that ends in a crucifix, making his principal apostolate immediately recognizable. Over dark clothing he wears a white mantle marked with the red Jerusalem cross, a visible reference to his connection with the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre. The portrait does not depict him as a priest or monk. Its lay dress is important because his work shows how a lay Catholic could combine professional formation, Marian prayer, publishing, social action, and responsibility for a local community.
For conversion, recovery, Rosary groups, and charitable work
This Saint Bartolo Longo icon is meaningful for converts, people leaving occult or destructive practices, lawyers, Dominican laity, Rosary confraternities, and those serving children or prisoners’ families. It can accompany prayer for repentance without despair, perseverance in rebuilding a life, and the union of devotion with concrete works of mercy. It suits a home prayer corner, parish office, recovery ministry, legal office, Dominican community, or a gift for reception into the Church, a Rosary group, volunteer service, or a name day.
Crafted on linden wood in Poland
Made to order in Poland on a double-primed linden wood panel, with direct printing and decorative gold-tone metal leaf. A certificate with the year of production and a wall hanger are included.