February 24 - Blessed Thomas Maria Fusco
Born: 1831
Died: 1891
Nationality: Italian
Vocation: priest
Attributes: crucifix, zucchetto, cassock
Beatification: 2001 by Pope St. John Paul II
Born into a noble family in Italy, Thomas was the seventh of eight children. Both of his parents died when he was very young and his uncle took responsibility for Thomas’ education.
Thomas realized his desire for the priesthood when St. Alphonsus Liguori was canonized in 1839.
He entered the seminary in 1847 and became a priest in 1855. He had a deep devotion to the crucified Christ and the Sorrowful Mother.
Thomas opened a school of moral theology in his home to train priests to be confessors in 1862, and founded the priestly Society of the Catholic Apostolate the same year.
In 1873, he founded the Congregation of the “Daughters of Charity of the Most Precious Blood.”
He dedicated himself to preaching retreats and missions, catechizing young people, organizing prayer for youth and adults at his parish, and cultivating a devotion to the Precious Blood of Jesus among those he served.
Thomas died of liver disease at the age of 59 and in 2001, he was beatified by Pope St. John Paul II.
Blessed Thomas Maria Fusco, pray for us.