Closing of the Diocesan Phase
of the Cause of Beatification and Canonization
of the Servant of God, Luisa Piccarreta,
under the Pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI
on October 29, 2005
(click here for the closing Homily by Archbishop +Pichierri in 2005)
On October 29, 2005, His Excellency Mons. Giovanni Battista Pichierri, Archbishop of Trani, Barletta-Biceglie and Titulary of Nazareth, in Corato, Italy, having completed the diocesan investigation (“inchiesta diocesana”) of her fame of sanctity with the compilation of testimonies and documents, remitted his definitive judgment on the sanctity of the Servant of God Luisa Piccarreta to the Holy Father.
In a communiqué of 2008, the Archbishop of Trani, informed “that the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, in waiting to issue a decree on the legal validity of the diocesan investigation, has submitted the writings of the Servant of God for examination, to the two theological Censors, in conformity with the normative canon and the practice in force”. Communique n. 2 (Prot.n.098/08/c3) regarding the process for Beatification and Canonization of the Servant of God Luisa Piccarreta, Trani, May 30, 2008. Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The work of the theological Censors.
Before 1927, the writings of Luisa (the first 19 volumes and The Hours of the Passion), had already obtained the “Nihil Obstat” from the now Saint Annibale Maria Di Francia (Censor on behalf of the Archdiocese) and the Imprimatur of the then Archbishop Mons. Giuseppe M. Leo. In addition to this previous study, the Congregation for the Saints, conforming to the canonical normative and actual praxis establishes that the writings of a Servant of God should be submitted for examination by at least two theological Censors (whose names would remain secret); this should be completed before formally initiating the process at the level of the Holy See.
As this work on the writings had not taken place within the diocesan process, the Dicasterio ordered the completion of this requisite with the intention to be able to issue the decree on the legal validity of the diocesan investigation and in this manner initiate the Roman process. The theological Censors, named by the Church, must examine the writings and verify that there is nothing in them contrary to faith and tradition, and must also describe in their verdict the personality and the spirituality of the Servant of God.
The Holy Congregation for the Saints assigned this work to two theological Censors, asking their evaluation.
On June 11, 2010 it was announced that the first theologian appointed by the Holy See for the evaluation of the writings of the Servant of God Luisa Piccarreta, had completed his assessment and officially rendered his verdict: POSITIVE.
On July 23, 2010 Sister Assunta Marigliano, President of the Píous Association “Luisa Piccarreta – Little Daughter of the Divine Will” in Corato, Italy, who is also responsible for the promotion of the Cause for Beatification and Canonization of the Servant of God Luisa Piccarreta, unofficially disclosed that the second theologian appointed by the Holy See for the evaluation of the writings of the Servant of God Luisa Piccarreta, had completed his assessment and had officially rendered his verdict: POSITIVE.