5/09 – Eve of the Feast of St. Cataldo/The Promise of Luisa

St. Cataldo

A most curious thing in all the entries of “The Book of Heaven” is that there are no mistakes or corrections anywhere (remember that Luisa had little more than what we would consider a second grade formal education).

These writings in “The Book of Heaven”, made in the year 1904 and presented here in the order given, foretell of the destruction of the Church of St. Cataldo which was destroyed in one of the largest earthquakes in recorded history. Four years later on December 28, 1908 Italy, Messina – The Tenth Most Destructive Known Earthquake on Record in the World (estimated) 7.5mag. Deaths 70,000 to 100,000 from earthquake and tsunami.

The Church of St. Cataldo in the City of Corato was opposite from what is now a corner bar above which is where Luisa was born. If one is standing and facing the building where Luisa lived most of her life and where her bed still remains the location of the Church would be to the left at the end of an alley which ends in an intersection.

The City of Corato “laid hands” on the Church of St. Catalto and leveled it after it was damaged by the earthquake and it is currently being used for parking and on certain days is used as an open air market. Luisa solemnly said that in time it must be reopened so that indicates that in the future, it must be rebuilt.

It is interesting that the miraculous painting of our Lady, Saint Mary the Greek (also known as the Crowned Lady), was in the Church of St. Caltado at the time of the earthquake and was not damaged. It was moved to its present location to the Church of Saint Mary the Greek which Luisa mentions in the volumes.

St. Mary the Greek


Book of Heaven – February 12, 1904

When the soul is identified with the Humanity of Jesus none of her works are dispersed. Obedience and the Saints want Luisa to remain on earth as victim.
…Now, while they were saying this, I said to myself: ‘It seems that everyone is against me: obedience does not want me to die; these are praying the Lord not to take me – what do they want from me? I don’t know why they want me to be on this earth almost by force, far away from my highest Good’; and I was all afflicted. While I was thinking of this, Jesus told me: “My daughter, do not want to afflict yourself. The things of the world are most sad, and they get worse and worse. If the point comes for Me to give free vent to my Justice, I will take you, and then I will no longer listen to anyone.”

Book of Heaven – February 21, 1904

The promise of Luisa if she is allowed to die.
In the presence of the Most Holy Trinity, of the Queen Mother, Mary Most Holy, of my guardian Angel and of the whole Celestial Court, and in order to obey my confessor, I promise that if the Lord, by His infinite mercy, should give me the grace of letting me die, when I find myself together with my Celestial Spouse, I will pray and plead for the triumph of the Church and the confusion and conversion of Her enemies; that the Catholic party may triumph in our country, and that the church of St. Cataldo may be reopened for service: that my confessor be freed of his usual sufferings, with a holy freedom of spirit and the sanctity of a true apostle of Our Lord; and that – always if the Lord permits it – I will go to him, at least once a month, to confer about celestial things and things pertaining to the good of his soul. I promise all this, for my part, and I swear.

Book of Heaven – February 12, 1904

Luisa speaks with some priests about the church of St. Cataldo.
I had forgotten to say what I am about to write, which I will say now out of obedience, although these are not sure things, but uncertain, because the presence of Our Lord was missing.
I was outside of myself, and I seemed to find myself inside a church in which there were several venerable priests, and also souls from Purgatory and holy people, conversing among themselves about the church of St. Cataldo, saying that almost with certainty it would be obtained. On hearing this, I said: ‘How can this be? The other day it was rumored that the Chapter had lost the cause. So, through the tribunal it could not be obtained, the town council does not want to give it, and you are saying that it will be obtained?’ And they added: “In spite of all these difficulties, indeed it is not lost; and even if they reach the point of laying hands on it to knock it down, it still cannot be considered as lost, because St. Cataldo will know well how to defend his temple. However, poor Corato if they arrive at this!” But while saying this, they repeated: “They have taken away the first things; the Crowned Lady has already been transported to his house. You, go before Our Lady and pray to Her that, having started the grace, She would fulfill it.” I went out of that church to go pray, but as I was doing this, I found myself inside myself.