(1831-1891) Tommaso was the seventh of eight children of a pious Italian family. His mother died when he was six, and his father died when he was 10. The children’s uncle, who was a priest, adopted them. Tomasso was ordained a priest at 24 and served in a parish. He later served as a missionary and founded a priestly society to support missions. He then founded the Daughters of Charity of the Most Precious Blood, which was devoted to the care of orphans. He continued as a parish priest, spiritual director, and writer, writing primarily on moral theology.
Tommaso became well known for his good works, leading to jealousy and subsequent slander by a fellow priest. He simply continued to pray and work and was eventually vindicated. In both our faith life and our recovery, doing the right things for the right reasons can potentially cause suspicion or jealousy. How do you keep the “main thing” as your focus?
“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” (Blessed Tommaso Maria Fusco).
Reflection by Brad Farmer