Bl. John Paul II beatified 1,327
people, more than all the other previous popes combined. One of these beati, or blesseds, is Bl. Tommaso Maria Fusco, a priest from Italy
who died in 1891. Bl. Tommaso “had a
deep devotion to the crucified Christ which he cherished throughout his
life.” He opened a morning school for
the formation of boys, organized evening prayers for young people and adults,
became a missionary in southern Italy, built up men’s and women’s Catholic
associations, opened a school of moral theology to train priests, founded a
missionary order and a women’s religious order.
All in all, he was active in bringing about the Kingdom of God on earth
to the best of his ability through the grace of God.
But he also suffered envy,
humiliation, and persecution for his efforts.
During those times he would pray:
“May work and suffering for God always be your glory and in your work
and suffering, may God be your consolation on this earth, and your recompense
in heaven. Patience is the safeguard and
pillar of all the virtues.”
We all know of those men and women,
priests, religious, and lay, who dedicate their lives to doing God’s work. They seem to never tire in making the extra
effort to help a person in need or the school or the parish. We also know of those who envy the good that
they do, who cast doubts on their sincerity.
As persons dedicated to God and as sinners subject to selfish desires,
we may recall Bl. Tommaso’s words and live by his example.
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