Interview with Monsignor Rizzi, postulator of the cause for beatification of the servant of God Luisa Piccarreta, and the latest updates on the process.
On July 7 and 8, Monsignor Paolo Rizzi, postulator of the Cause for Beatification and Canonization of the Servant of God Luisa Piccarreta, arrived in Corato, specifically at the Church of S. Maria Greca and the Luisa Piccarreta House Museum. The cause was restarted a year ago.
Monsignor Rizzi wrote the following words in the church's visitor book:
"The visit to Corato at the tomb of the Servant of God Luisa Piccarreta is always a wonderful opportunity to drink from a pure source of faith and humble love, which gives us a foretaste of the joy of Paradise."
The postulator also had the opportunity to meet the president and some members of the “Luisa Piccarreta PFDV” association in Corato, and to visit and appreciate the new House Museum, which was inaugurated on June 20. We met him briefly here, in this new space where faith and culture come together, and asked him a few simple questions, which he kindly answered.
Are there any updates regarding Luisa Piccarreta's Cause?
The Cause for Beatification and Canonization resumed a year ago with the approval issued by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints following the counter-argument we provided. Now the Cause must proceed with the publication of the typical edition of all the volumes written by Luisa. The association “Luisa Piccarreta PFDV” is already working on this.
Why was there a setback?
The spirituality, thoughts, and writings of the Servant of God had been submitted to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. In 2019, the Congregation reported that the writings presented some ambiguities of a theological, Christological, and anthropological nature. Although these ambiguities were not in themselves doctrinal errors, they required further evaluation. The clarifying responses from the Postulation allowed the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to conclude that there were no “statements clearly contrary to the doctrine of the Church” in the writings and thought of the Servant of God.
In fact, Luisa's writings are set in a particular historical context, namely when divine punishment was emphasized rather than the mercy of God the Father and Christian hope. Some phrases contained in the writings can be misleading and need to be contextualized. Misleading interpretations will be avoided thanks to the Typical Edition. First of all, there will be a theological introduction by Archbishop Leonardo D'Ascenzo. This introduction will provide the criteria for interpreting the Writings.
What is your next task?
In September, we will begin work on the Positio, which is the dossier summarizing the procedural documents collected during the diocesan inquiry that concluded in 2005. I believe it will take about two years to complete. When it is finished, it will be delivered to the cardinals, who will then decide on the beatification of the Servant of God Luisa Piccarreta.
Interview by Francesca Maria Testini published in the local newspaper “LoStradone”
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