Saint of the Day – 21 December – Blessed Tommaso Vitali OSM (1425-1490) Priest and Friar of the Order of the Servants of Mary (the Servites), a renowned and highly effective Preacher and patient spiritual guide. Born in 1425 in Endenna, Bergamo, Italy and died on 21 December 1490 in Pesaro, Italy of natural causes. Also known as – Thomas.
Tommaso lived for many years in the Hermitage of Monte Granaro in the Province of Pesaro together with Blessed Paolo Bigoni from Chiari (Brescia) and Blessed Bonaventura from Forlì.
The three blessed together formed an exemplary community characterised by an intense Marian spirituality, whose corner stones were prayer, study, manual work and preaching.
Tradition tells us that Blessed Tommaso grew in the grace of the Lord thanks to his penances, his prayer vigils and his continuous fasting. A talented preacher, he was able to announce, with great enthusiasm, the experience of Jesus Christ Crucified, His suffering and His love for sinful man.
Living in conformity with his preaching, patiently listening to the Confessions of the faithful in order to be able to guide them wisely on the path of life aimed towards holiness.
He died in Pesaro on 21 December 1490. His body was kept in the Church of Santa Maria Monte Granaro until 1650 and subsequently, in the Church of St Maria delle Grazie. In 1922, when the Church of St Maria delle Grazie was demolished and the Servants of Mary moved to the Church of St Francesco, the body of Blessed Tommaso Vitali was placed under the Altar dedicated to the Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order.
The Archdiocese of Pesaro counts him among its Blessed. Even if there is no celebration in memory of Blessed Tommaso Vitali, in some Martyrologies he is remembered on 21 December, on the anniversary of his death.
AnaStpaul 
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