TLDR: His Beloved exists because God rescued both of our lives, called Tommy into music ministry, and placed on our hearts a desire to share the Catholic faith in a simple, cool and modern way - That is how and why His Beloved came to be. These designs are meant to spark conversations and share Catholicism - Profits of His Beloved are always tithed back into The Church.
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We are a married Catholic couple living in New Jersey — first and foremost, while it might be nice to say we were… we have not always been good examples of what it means to be Catholic. Years before we were married we both, individually, spent years running from the Lord.
Tommy died in 2006. He aspirated on his own vomit. I simply cannot type out his testimony in such a way that compares to hearing it from him — however I will say this: he was blessed greatly by God, he was permitted to come back, and when he chose to return he was told he would spend his life playing music and sharing the Lord. Deep in addiction in Philadelphia, this was something he couldn’t understand as possible at the time. But the power of God to save a soul is unmatched.
I am blessed to say that Tommy is away from home right now, playing music at a Catholic retreat at Malvern Retreat House. He has a beautiful, Holy-Spirit-touched voice and talent. It’s like he’s been steeped in the Holy Spirit and you feel it when he plays. I have been honored to sit by him during retreats as participants share how much his music touched them during worship. Every weekend he plays the 8am Mass and again, people come up to tell him they were moved to tears, or that he played exactly the song they asked the Lord for. It moves me to tears even now. Our God is so good and loves us so much - I think He must be proud of Tommy.
Tommy has been on many mission trips — he’s gone to Haiti 7 times, Guatemala 7 times, Jamaica and Peru twice, Mozambique and South Africa, Panama, and has pilgrimaged to Medjugorje. While traveling he wrote his self-titled album that is available on Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube, and linked below. His album is rich, deeply spiritual, meaningful, and Catholic. I can recall that before we met in person I had already memorized “Take Me Home.” I love that song. I love all of them. You can click here to hear his composition of The Unity Prayerfor the Flame of Love movement.
As for me — I ran from God so fast and so hard from 9th grade to 27. While neglecting my artistic talent, I spent all of my efforts on being cool enough, on fitting in, on drinking and getting high. I suffered serious injuries, was a danger to myself and others, depressed, and was constantly searching for something to fill the void. I lived in deep regret over past decisions and I couldn’t escape the torment.
I turned to myself for solutions instead of God — that’s when I found self-help books, manifestation, angel numbers, tarot cards, birth charts, moon water, sage, crystals, feminism (new age spirituality and witchcraft). I covered my body in tattoos, I thought I was Buddhist for a bit, I practiced yoga and astral projecting — I became obsessed with trying to figure it all out, trying to be enlightened.
There is so much more in between these lines that I can’t quite put into words but, God had been chiseling away at my hardened heart for years. Thank You, Jesus...and as terrifying as it was, I started to know that God was nudging me to turn to Him - still, Catholicism was never part of the plan then (LOL).
I fell to my knees, I knew God was real and I loved Jesus. I was on fire, I started reading Scripture and attending Protestant worship services. The desires of my heart changed. I told everyone. At this same time, I opened businesses, and I pushed myself to exhaustion, I developed a large bald spot from stress, and ground my teeth at night. Even as a self proclaimed baby Christian, I realize now how little faith I had, how I was still not in submission and how I did not have my trust in God at all...
After leaving protestant services, feeling like they were thin, and self centered at times… The Holy Spirit pulled me to a small Catholic chapel in my hometown. All of a sudden, what felt like out of nowhere, I found myself in Adoration almost daily. I didn’t understand what God was doing at the time, but He saved me there. His love was overwhelming. By His Grace, I began my now 5 year journey back home to the Catholic Church I had been raised in.
I am by no means a shining example of a cradle Catholic, but I am so happy to be Home.
I want nothing more than for others who have fallen away to experience this same Homecoming. I want people to adore Jesus and to receive Him at Mass. I want people to be proud to be Catholic and to share their Catholicism openly.
That is how and why His Beloved came to be. These designs are meant to spark conversations or to be quiet reminders out in the world — small ways God can use us to draw people back to Himself. This mission is bigger than us, and if you ever feel called to be part of it, to help share the faith in your own circles, we welcome you to walk with us.
We are His beloved — and we simply want to help the world remember and come Home to Him.