Sanctuary of San Cayetano, Lindavista

The Sanctuary of San Cayetano, the Saint Cajetan Church of Lindavista, is most famous for having its profile on the Metro Lindavista station logo. In fact, the Metro is a few blocks south at the intersection of Lindavista and Politecnico avenues. It might be dismissed as another odd-ball mid-20th century church, if not for its great weight, and for the ongoing support of its community.

The church was designed by architect Francisco Serrano, most widely recognized for his Torres Arcos Bosques I & II. He also designed the core of the La Ibero Campus including the important Francisco Xavier Clavijero Library. All are in the Santa Fe section of Mexico City.

The first stone was laid in 1952 and construction lasted until 1960. The four 33 meter parabolic arches were built between 1956 and 1957. Prior to this work, most of the construction had focused on the pilings and foundations. With the arches complete, the vaults and the dome could begin. The total area of ​​the dome is 630 square meters. This was finished in 1958 and a first mass was said in 1959 once the stained glass windows had been placed.

It’s considered the largest sanctuary devoted to Saint Cajetan in the world.  Decoration of the church continued through the 1960s until the church was consecrated in 1966. It was damaged in the earthquake of 1985, and re-consecrated upon its reopening in 1990.

Saint Cajetan

The saint, Gaetano dei Conti di Thiene (1480-1547), was an Italian Catholic priest and religious reformer. He co-founded the Theatines order, the Clerks Regular, of the Roman Catholic church in 1524, just three years after the fall of Tenochtitlan. Ordained in 1516, he was canonized in 1671. He’s also the founder of the Banco di Napoli. One of the oldest in the world, Cajetan began the bank in order to avoid usury and to better serve the poor. He’s also the patron saint of Argentina, gamblers and good fortune in gaming.

The Metrobus station, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, on Line 6 is directly out front of the temple, on avenida Montevideo.