From the Desk of Fr. Thomas - January 2026 Newsletter
- Pompeii Rising
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Dear Friends of Our Lady of Pompeii,
January comes from the Latin word “ianua,” meaning door. This month moves us through time - from the past into the future. This door is a perfect opportunity to see where we’ve been and where we are going.
From the outset, I don’t think any of us knew how big this would be. I don’t just mean repairing the towers and ceiling, but a deeper, much larger work that is still being uncovered.
When Bartolo Longo first came to Pompei in 1872, he simply wanted to renew rental contracts as a lawyer. By 1926 he was surrounded by a papal shrine, an orphanage, a school, and Pius XI’s 260 ft. Jubilee Belltower, dying as a Knight of the Holy Sepulcher.
We’re carrying the torch of something monumental, beginning over a century ago with Catholics who had the same goal. Yes, we want to occupy a larger building, but part of this journey is unraveling Our Lady of the Holy Rosary’s intentions, and those of Providence, which go far beyond the mundane.
In January, 102 years ago in Jacksonville, Fr. John Conoley gives us the roadmap for 2026 from the pulpit on the occasion of the church’s dedication:
We are here today, gathered as we are about the altar, all intent upon a high and holy undertaking
- the dedication of this new and splendid church edifice erected to the greater glory of God under the invocation of “Our Lady of the Holy Rosary” …
And nothing surely could be more pleasing to this Blessed Mother than that you should the more exalt her Divine Son by setting up yet another outpost on the far-flung frontier [Springfield] of His Kingdom, the further to advance and make secure the establishment of His empire over the hearts of men.
Here Christ will be adored ‘in spirit and in truth.’ Here generations yet unborn will be admitted to the kingdom. Here shall the Bread of Life be broken and the Word preached, and sins forgiven. Here shall grace overflow and love reign.
All who are weary and heavy laden shall find in this new Sinai rest for their souls. When they fall, finally by life’s wayside, they shall be carried from before this altar to their last long reward to await the coming, the realization of the blessed hope.
Truly, this is the ‘house of God and the Gate of heaven’ and in it shall be preserved the integrity of the Christian faith.
This is the Catholic mindset. Our forefathers broke ground on cathedrals they would never live to see complete, all in charity toward neighbor. Fr. Pagliarani stated in his letter to us "I am confident that this church will continue to draw many souls from the surrounding areas of Jacksonville." Are we not called to see this through?
L: Scaffolding down to a science.
C: On site is liturgical lighting consultant Edwin Rambusch
R: Lighting a sacred space is an art and a science
2025 Year in Review
February - Interview Jeff Lane, Architect
April - Pilgrimage to Pompeii
May - Groundbreaking news!
September - Live Cam and Outbuilding Demo
December - Altar Stone and Fr. Mauriello
Take strength in knowing you’re not alone. Yes, your small part in the Pompeii Rising Restoration Project exists in the physical realm, that is to say time (now) and space (stone and mortar.) But each prayer and sacrifice united to the Church Suffering, Militant, and Triumphant will work wonders in spiritual ways we cannot begin to fathom, salvific for both strangers and relations - past, present, and to come.
Keep saying your Memorares,
Fr. Thomas
This month’s mailbag comes to us from Jason R. who wrote to me offering clippings from the local newspaper covering Old Holy Rosary since 1923. I’m grateful for both Jason’s research and all of the diligence of the priests, faithful, and news outlets that cover Our Lady’s story throughout the years. The whole sermon is inspiring and we’ll publish the entire transcription in short order.
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