From the Desk of Fr. Thomas - October 2025 Newsletter
- Pompeii Rising
- Oct 31
- 5 min read
It is a fitting and opportune time for Us to induce all Our children,
exhorting them to plan on celebrating the month of October consecrated to Our Lady as the august Queen of the Rosary, with the fervent and wholehearted devotion which the necessities weighing upon Us demand.
-Pope Leo XIII, from the encyclical Magnae Dei Matris, 1892
Dear Friends of Pompeii,
In his 25 year pontificate, Pope Leo XIII would pen twelve encyclicals on the Rosary. His Holiness closely followed the work of Bartolo Longo, a converted sinner with a miraculous story. In fact, only a year later after Magnae Dei Matris, the pope would declare Longo’s new shrine in Pompeii to be under the direct jurisdiction of the Holy See.
I find the example of Bartolo Longo so fascinating. After Longo finished the Basilica of Pompeii, he had a private audience with the newly elected Pope Pius X and asked “now can I die in peace?” The saintly Bishop of Rome told him “No, you must not die. You must work.” Longo responded “Very well, Holy Father. I shall work until my death.” I am encouraged because I know that in 10 months, it would be very tempting to consider our mission accomplished, however, we’re reminded saints do not think this way.
Bartolo Longo went to his reward on October 5, 1926, just after Rosary Sunday. This year, as a chapel, we just so happened to pray Longo's Supplica on Sunday, October 5th, Bartolo Longo’s Feast Day. His cause for canonization was opened in 1947 under Pius XII, who declared him Servant of God. It's amazing that Rome would move his cause forward. Especially now. My priest friend sent me this.
Dear Fr. Thomas,
I am writing to you from the Eternal City on October 19th, the joyous occasion of the canonization of St. Bartolo Longo. I am thinking of you, the pilgrims I met last April in Pompei, and all of the friends of Pompeii Rising Restoration Project who love the Rosary so dearly. Allow me to share a picture from St. Peter's Square capturing the celebration from today. The story of St. Bartolo shows us that no one is ever too far away from the love of God to find salvation. He only has to look to the Blessed Mother and say "Yes, Mother, I'll do what I'm told."
God bless you,
Fr. Matthew Mauriello
We will be in the new church for the 100th anniversary of the death of St. Bartolo Longo.
With the first full month of construction comes immense progress. Here is a video of the demolition of the outbuilding. The property has been cleared of most trees. The inside has been prepped to receive the mechanical systems under the floor. It's my pleasure to inform you, after 4 years, the infamous pit has been filled (and thanks to our guardian angels, no one has ever fallen in!) The High Altar foundation has been poured and next month, we will add the original altar stone. This is very exciting, so make sure you tune in for November's newsletter.
The speed of well planned construction is astonishing. The old adage, you get what you pay for, rings true. As good labor and material is not cheap, I’m asking my team to gear up for another fundraising push. St. Bartolo Longo was a good fundraiser, let him be our example. It would be wonderful to stay ahead of the construction and not have to borrow money. In the next month, I will have some new promotional material I would like you to share with those who might find this project interesting.
Finally, a reminder. Pompeii Rising is not primarily a material restoration project. It is a spiritual ascent. We must let the Lord, our God, lift us out of the ash. Cooperation with the Holy Ghost, spouse of the Blessed Virgin, is the only way we can combat the evils of the world. When a religious brother, monk, friar, or sister wear their Rosary on their left hip, there is a reason: it's where a knight girds his sword!
For King and Queen,
Fr. Thomas
his month’s mailbag comes from the Superior General of the Society of St. Pius X. For a little perspective, in 2018, Fr. Davide Pagliarani was given a 12 year mandate to head the SSPX, giving him care and charge of more than 700 priests and now two bishops. I am humbled to extend Father's blessing to all of the Friends of Pompeii.
Reverend Father, dear Faithful of Jacksonville,
It is with great joy and heartfelt gratitude that I address you today, in the midst of the month especially dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary. I wish to thank each one of you for your faithful support of the Society of Saint Pius X, and in particular for your remarkable generosity in the restoration of the magnificent church dedicated to Our Lady of Pompeii.
What a great consolation it is to see this splendid church renewed and resplendent, a true house of God where the two treasures most dear to the Society continue to shine forth: the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the Holy Rosary. Both are sources of immense grace, channels through which Our Lord and His Blessed Mother pour out their blessings upon souls.
I am confident that this church will continue to draw many souls from the surrounding areas of Jacksonville, and likewise to draw many graces from Heaven upon all who come to honor God and His Holy Mother.
I know that you faithfully recite the Supplica to Our Lady of Pompeii at the appointed times. I would be most grateful if, from now on, you would include in your intentions those of the entire Society of Saint Pius X throughout the world: in particular, to thank the Most Holy Virgin for all the graces received so far, and to entrust to her the protection of the Society for the future. It is only through Our Lady that the Society will remain always faithful.
It is very important that you always keep these two intentions before your eyes, for they go beyond the boundaries of Florida and the United States and embrace the entire Society of Saint Pius X worldwide. Such a church must be more than a parish — it should be a true shrine dedicated to Our Lady, radiating her light and graces far and wide.
May Our Lady of Pompeii watch over you, protect your families, and guide you ever more deeply into the love of her Divine Son.
With my sincere gratitude and blessing,
Fr. Davide Pagliarani
Father, we embrace both the charge you’ve given us to restore the church and these two intentions to thank and entrust. You have our prayers.
Dear readers, I love hearing from you. Do you have an Old Holy Rosary or an Our Lady of Pompeii story to share? Email me at info@pompeiirising.org
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