Today April 9

Today is the feast of Blessed Thomas of Tolentino (died 1321). Poor Thomas was sort of like Columbus: he knew where he WANTED to go, but he never quite got there! Thomas, a Franciscan, wanted desperately to go to China -- China, that's all he wanted. Obediently, he went to Armenia when he was sent there by his superiors. He met with great success evangelizing (and re-evangelizing) the people, and, realizing the political peril of the populace, even advocating for defenses to be sent them against imminent attacks by radical Muslims. He was then sent to Iran, where he also worked in the missions. He finally, finally! got the chance to go to China -- with a whole clerical entourage -- and ended up being blown off course to India, where Muslims there arrested, scourged, exposed and finally beheaded him. But the Indians, ironically, are the only ones who now truly revere him and celebrate his feast with due devotion. St. Thomas, pray for us.