Blessed Tommaso Maria Fusco was born on December 1, 1831 as the seventh of eight children to a pious and Italian noble family. His mother died when he was only six years old and his father died when he was ten and he was educated by his fraternal uncle, who was a priest and school teacher. Tommaso entered the seminary in 1847, the same year his uncle died. He was ordained in 1855.
He opened a school for boys in his own and organized prayer groups at night in the parish. He joined the Congregation of the Missionaries of Nocera in 1857 and became a traveling missionary in southern Italy. He opened another school and trained priests in the ministry of confession. He founded the Priestly Society of the Catholic Apostolate to support missions. he also founded Daughters of Charity of the Most Precious Blood in 1873. They were devoted to care for orphans. He wrote on topics of moral theology which always expressed his devotion to the Precious Blood. Toward the end of his life, a brother priest became jealous of his good works and Father Fusco became a victim of slander. Father Fusco prayed throughout the whole matter, continued his work, and was vindicated. He died of a chronic liver disease on February 24, 1891. He was beatified on October 7, 2001.
"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."
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