NOBLE TEEN

Mario di Donato, 1980

My God-son James loves this saint, BLESSED NUNZIO SULPRIZIO, who was born in Sulmona in central Italy in 1817. He was the son of a poor cobbler. Orphaned at the age of nine, he was first cared for by a grandmother, and later went to live with an uncle, a blacksmith. For six years Nunzio suffered patiently and meekly the harsh treatment and abuse of his coarse and brutal guardian. Worked beyond the strength of his weak constitution and often deprived of food, he was reduced to a pitiful condition.  Wounded in the foot or left leg, he was sent to the hospital for three months. God himself through suffering and the cross carved a saint.

After a difficult and painful return to his uncle's workshop he received a call  from his uncle Francis Sulprizija to come to Naples. There he was again admitted to the hospital for incurable diseases. His uncle loved him as his own son. He did not get better and the doctors decided to amputate his leg but he was too weak.

M. di Donato, 1990

He suffered with patience and holiness never forgetting Jesus. He died at the age of 19 in 1836. His body is in Naples in the church of St. Mary Advocate, where a portrait made at the request of his uncle hangs.