405

Canon Blaise Pieri (7)

Rome

January 27, 1744

Very Reverend Canon,

I am busy with Cardinal Albani, who is leaving soon for Soriano, and for that reason has taken on himself the task of obtaining everything from His Holiness. The mission at Nettuno is being delayed until May. Cardinal Alexander will be there for that. The cardinals have much at heart the foundation of San Eutizio. We need to adore the divine dispositions. I have the letter from the pope. Do me the favor of telling Sister Colomba that now is the time to assist our work, and that I am recommending to her prayer, again and again, a great worker who is starting to have a liking for our Congregation and would be one of its most qualified workers.²⁴¹ Oh, how much this weighs on me! Let her pray strongly, and I hope she will be heard without fail, and recommend to her my soul and those of my companions, especially those at Mount Argentario, etc. Ah, for charity’s sake! we do not lose sight of them day or night, and much more for Your Reverence, in our holy sacrifices.

I end in a hurry and leave you in the holy Side of Jesus. I am from my heart … I will have more to say to Canon Pietro and will write from Soriano.

Your unworthy servant,

P.D. Cross

241.

Paul once again requests the prayers of Sister Colomba, but this time she is to pray for Father Thomas Struzzieri of the Side of Jesus (1706-1780). Paul had met him while in Rome the previous fall. Struzzieri was thirty-eight years old and an excellent preacher. Struzzieri professed vows April 16, 1745. He became apostolic visitator in Corsica and was the first Passionist to become a bishop (of Amelia and Todi). Six of Paul’s letters to him have been preserved (Ladislao Ravasi, Il Servo d Dio Mons. Tommaso Struzzieri).