January 1
Joseph Mary Tomasi (1649–1713)
Cardinal
Roman Martyrology
At Rome, Saint Joseph Mary Tomasi, priest of the Order of Clerics Regular Theatines and cardinal. Ardently desiring the restoration of divine worship, he devoted himself tirelessly to researching and publishing ancient liturgical texts and monuments, as well as to the catechesis of children.
Practical advice
Prepare with special care for your next participation in Mass, and offer God every response, silence and gesture.
Biography
(Italian: Giuseppe Maria Tomasi)
He was born at Licata in Sicily into the family of the Prince of Lampedusa, Duke of Palma di Montechiaro. His parents carefully attended to his Christian formation and his instruction in classical and modern languages, especially Spanish, since his family intended him for the court of Madrid and, through the noble titles he was to inherit from his father, for the dignity of Grandee of Spain.
At the age of sixteen he renounced all his titles to enter, in 1666, the Order of Clerics Regular Theatines at the convent of Saint Joseph in Palermo. He was prudent and humble, above all endowed with great intelligence and a gift for study. He studied philosophy at Messina, Ferrara, Bologna and Modena, and theology in Rome at the house of Sant’Andrea della Valle. In Rome he was ordained a priest in the Basilica of Saint John Lateran in 1673. He specialized in liturgy and exegesis and wrote several books: “Codices Sacramentorum nongentis annis,” the “Antiphonaries” and “Responsories” of the Roman Church, and other works, so that he was called the “Prince of Roman liturgists” and “Doctor Liturgicus.” He spent almost his entire life in the house of San Silvestro al Quirinale, where with fruitful piety he practiced humility and persevered in virtue and study.
The popes called him to serve in Rome, where he held several offices, always against his wishes: consultor to his congregation; theologian to the Congregations of Rites, Indulgences and the Holy Office. Queen Christina of Sweden wanted him among the scholars who adorned her circle. He was a member of the Roman Academy of Arcadia. Moses Cave, the learned rabbi of the synagogue of Rome and Father Tomasi’s pupil in Hebrew, was converted by him to Catholicism. He was confessor to Cardinal Albani and, when Albani was elected Pope Clement XI, Tomasi ordered him to accept the office if he did not wish to commit mortal sin. The Pope took his revenge by naming him cardinal of the title of Saints Sylvester and Martin in the Mountains in 1712. He made a habit of teaching catechism to the children of his titular church.
He is considered one of the precursors of the Second Vatican Council because he proposed several practices later adopted there: the present form of the Liturgy of the Hours for the celebration of the Divine Office; the distinction and use of the Missal and Lectionary in the celebration of the Eucharist; and various norms contained in the Roman Pontifical and Ritual.
Despite his reputation for learning, he was always distinguished by his humility, which led him to publish some books under a pseudonym. He had a great devotion to Mary and was noted for helping the poor and the sick. He died of pneumonia at his residence in the Palazzo Passarini. His remains rest in the Basilica of Sant’Andrea della Valle in Rome. Saint John Paul II canonized him on 12 October 1986.