On February 9, 2025, in the splendid setting of the mother church of Trinitapoli, parish of S. Stefano, reopened last December, after about five years of closure, the Eucharist was celebrated in thanksgiving for the publication of the Decree of Venerability of the Servant of God Fr. Giuseppe Maria Leone, promulgated on December 18, 2024. The citizens of Trinatapoli had heard its first announcement in their mother church, after its opening to worship, a few days after the publication. A further milestone, that of the recognition of heroic virtues, a nodal stage in the canonical itinerary towards beatification. This moment was long-awaited and welcomed with signs of great emotion and lively enthusiasm by the entire community of Trinitapoli, always at the forefront in promoting knowledge of the life and works of the Redemptorist from Puglia, and custodian of his venerated remains.
The process that led to this official moment began a long time ago. Many people are involved, in different capacities and with their personal contribution: first of all, the Postulator General of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Fr. Antonio Marrazzo, to whom, from many voices, gratitude has been expressed for his work and constant presence in these years. A hidden but tenacious work, was that of don Mario Porro, presbyter of the Diocese of Andria, Doctor of Mariology, already known for having drafted with competence and passion another Position, that of the Servant of God Antonio Maria Losito, a figure complementary to that of Leone and close to his sanctity. The precious work of don Mario included the previous documentary research, the continuous study and the comparison, with other experts and scholars, among whom we cannot fail to mention don Nicola Grosso, author of the first volume of the Writings of Fr. Leone, recently presented, and scholar of his spirituality.
The diocesan bishop, Monsignor Luigi D’Ascenzo, presided over the Eucharist. Monsignor Antonio De Luca, bishop of Teggiano Policastro, and Monsignor Luigi Mansi, bishop of Andria, concelebrated. The bishop of Nocera-Sarno and the Pontifical Prelate of Pompeii also expressed their regret for not being able to take part in the celebration.
Representing the Redemptorists of Southern Europe was Fr. Silvestro Lafasciano, superior of the Community of Corato, who brought greetings from the provincial superior and all the confreres.
A crowd of faithful crowded the monumental church, led by the Mayor, local civil and military authorities, representatives of the city’s associations and institutions and numerous members of the Association of Friends of Father Leone.
In his homily, the Archbishop, after greeting the assembly and addressing a thought also to those who could not attend, invited everyone to thank the Church, for having proposed to everyone, with the declaration of venerable Father Leone, a model to know and imitate, especially for his evangelical virtues, exercised in a heroic way, and for the values of the Gospel that he witnessed, during his long life and fruitful priestly and missionary ministry, in the footsteps of Saint Alphonsus. Looking at the figure of Father Leone, we cannot but open ourselves to listening to the Word of God – continued the celebrant – actualizing the sanctity of the Servant of God, starting from the Sunday Gospel, making its relevance emerge.
At the end of the celebration, Monsignor Antonio De Luca was invited to speak. He did so willingly, thanking the community of Trinitapoli and the entire diocesan church. Calling the attention of those present to the cornerstones of Father Leone’s spirituality, he reaffirmed his being an authentic Redemptorist, committed on the front lines in preaching, spiritual direction and an intense spiritual life, and in some ways mystical, and giving his contribution to the rebirth of consecrated life, after the Suppression of religious orders, with intense work in the field of training the clergy and religious. Monsignor De Luca, ever since he was at the head of the religious province of the Neapolitan Redemptorists, had favored and encouraged those who worked so that the sanctity of the Casalino Redemptorist would be recognized and become a bright beacon of sanctity for the churches of southern Italy. Now, evidently moved, he hopes that the journey will continue quickly, in the hope of soon seeing one of the key figures of the Italian Church in the second half of the 19th century in the South on the altars.
This was followed by the speech of Monsignor Luigi Mansi, who, thanking for the invitation received, recalled the collaboration of the two dioceses in promoting the sanctity of two great Redemptorists, whose testimony still bears fruit. He also underlined the involvement of Don Porro, whom he publicly thanked for his work.
The Mayor, Dr. De Feo, taking the floor and greeting everyone, declared: the city of Trinitapoli is experiencing this moment with great participation, reaffirming, as on previous occasions, the importance that the figure of the Servant of God has for the life of the city community, for which his figure is a reference to the values of the Gospel and a source of inspiration for civil coexistence.
The closing speech was by the Vice Postulator Don Stefano Sarcina. Retracing the steps that led to this goal, he thanked all those who believed in the sanctity of Father Leone and all those who committed themselves personally to preserve his memory and promote knowledge of him and inviting everyone to feel the venerable Father Leone close in their own life and in the journey of following Christ, as a model and intercessor.
Among the concelebrants were also the provincial secretary of the Capuchins, Father Piergiorgio Taneburgo, Father Enzo Rispi, Father Peppino Pavone and Father Nicola Grosso, who headed the organization of the entire event, in collaboration with all those who contributed to making the celebration more solemn and festive.
The declaration of Father Leone as Venerable was a great gift for all, and at the same time it becomes an incentive to deepen and make known the message of his holiness, very timely, not only for the Redemptorists, but for all those who are committed to a journey of Christian life.
Fr. Vincenzo La Mendola, CSsR.
