Spuort of Fra Tommaso
The Spuort of Fra Tommaso, located in San Donato Val di Comino, is a fascinating attraction that tells the story of Tommaso da San Donato, a 16th century Capuchin friar considered to be ‘in the odour of sanctity’.
ADDRESS
41.7104124, 13.8136667
DIFFICULTY
Medium
DISTANCE
300 mt
The paintings by Donato Leone, dating back to 1998, depict significant moments in the life of Fra’ Tommaso, a humble, chaste and obedient man who dedicated his life to the poor and the sick.
Fra’ Tommaso died in 1648 and his funeral was so crowded that armed force was required to contain the crowd. His face was smiling and a sweet fragrance emanated from his body, so much so that many acclaimed him a saint and wanted a relic. D. Tommaso De Franchis, president of the Neapolitan Curia, said that if the Church still had the rite of canonising saints by ‘Populorum acclamationes’, Fra’ Tommaso would have been canonised.
The body of Fra’ Tommaso, considered a Servant of God awaiting sainthood, is buried in the Chapel of San Serafino, where the plaque reads ‘Hic iacet F. Thomas a Sancto Donato qui obiit die 22 martii 1648’. Visit the Fra Tommaso Spuort to discover the moving story of this character and be inspired by his dedication to faith and charity.