Gaetano dei Conti di Tiene was an Italian priest who was one of founders of the Theatine Order recognized by the Pope in 1524.  He also established hospitals, promoted love of apostolic life, and practiced severe austerity.  He was one of the great Catholic reformers.  Many of the reforms of the Council of Trent were anticipated by him and put into effect long before the Council was convened.  Cajetan died in Naples in 1547 and was canonized by Pope Clement in 1671.  St. Cajetan was the patron saint of the Tumacácori mission from its beginnings in 1691 until it became San José de Tumacácori in 1753.

The normal attire for a priest of this order was a black cassock and sash with a white surplice and stole.  As a founder, Cajetan could carry a pilgrim's staff with a double cross, a book of Rules, winged heart, Christ Child, or a lily, and could appear kneeling in experience of religious ecstasy.

This statue is shown kneeling, with arms out and lowered, looking upward and dressed in the black habit of the Theatine Order with biretta and white surplice.  This is a roughly carved figure with fine head and hands and covered with gesso-stiffened and painted cloth tied with rope of a local sisal agave.  The joints are held by hand-wrought nails, some covered with plaster.  The lower right leg is missing.  The torso and upper right leg are one piece.  There is a peg through each palm that appears slanted into the wrist.  The statue features a low relief beard and mustache and painted hair.  The carving of fingerless hands is similar to the hands of San Xavier.  The gessoed fabric is more evenly spun than samples from other figures - suggesting that this statue was done at a later date.