Ten years after the historic beatification ceremony, Foggia once again gathered around the figure of Maria Celeste Crostarosa. On June 19, 2026, in the Shrine of the Mother of God (known as the Incoronata)—the same place that welcomed thousands of faithful for her elevation to the altar for beatification in 2016—the local Church solemnly celebrated this anniversary with a Mass presided over by Archbishop Giorgio Ferretti of Foggia-Bovino, concelebrated by over thirty priests and deacons.
The celebration was attended by the Redemptoristine nuns of Foggia, Scala, Sant’Agata de’ Goti, and some nuns from Burkina Faso, along with the Redemptorist Fathers, including Father Serafino Fiore from Materdomini and Father Antonio Pupo from Rome, as well as the diocesan clergy and numerous faithful.
Before the relics of the Blessed, displayed in the presbytery, Bishop Ferretti recalled the special bond that unites Crostarosa to the city of Foggia, where, the prelate hoped, “her memory must be kept alive and flourishing. Not only because the Blessed’s body is buried here, but also for the entire rich history of her presence in Foggia.”
“Conform to the Redeemer”
At the heart of Archbishop Ferretti’s homily were the words that Blessed Crostarosa addressed to her sisters as a fundamental teaching: to conform to Christ. A calling that, the prelate emphasized, knows no gender distinctions. “In holiness, as Saint Paul says, there is no male or female. Holiness is genderless. A woman, as in Crostarosa’s case, can conform to Christ and, paradoxically, do so more than a man.”
The archbishop placed Crostarosa’s figure in the historical context of the Counter-Reformation, recognizing her as one of the women who left a profound mark on the life of the Church and on a society deeply marked by the machismo of the time.
His spirituality, Ferretti explained, doesn’t simply propose devotion to Jesus, but a true identification with his lifestyle and the Gospel: “What does it mean to conform to the Lord Jesus? First: read the Gospel, otherwise we conform to our own idea of Jesus.”
Hence the appeal addressed to the nuns and to the entire community: “Give us this example. Give it to us in Foggia, in the world wherever you are. We all need men and women who show us that it is possible to live the Gospel.”
The full homily by Archbishop Giorgio Ferretti is available on the YouTube channel of the Archdiocese of Foggia-Bovino.
Towards canonization
Words of thanks and joy were expressed at the conclusion of the celebration by the nuns of the Foggia monastery and their chaplain, Father Alberto De Vita: “Today’s celebration was preceded by a visit to the parishes of our Archdiocese, already scheduled for October 2025, at the initiative of the Archbishop, myself, and the nuns. The visit was intended to raise awareness of Blessed Crostarosa and her connection to our land. Consider that the first monastery was located where Municipality of Foggia now stands.” This also gives rise to hope for the future: “While we acknowledge that we are only at the beginning of a journey that will lead to Crostarosa’s canonization, we are satisfied with what has been accomplished in these months of raising awareness,” he said.
An anniversary of joy and unity
“This anniversary is like a second beatification for us,” said Sister Grazyna (Grazia) Raszkiewicz, superior of the monastery in Foggia. “I remember when I was still a novice, and everyone was waiting: ‘When will it be, when will it be?’ When that moment arrived in 2016, everyone was overjoyed. These ten years are an anniversary of joy and thanksgiving, a true Magnificat.”
The superior particularly focused on the theme of conformity to Christ, the heart of Crostarosian spirituality, from the archbishop’s homily: “As a community, we must be a living memory—not simply a reminder of something Jesus did, but a relive within ourselves of what he experienced. Each of us, each community, must mirror Jesus to others.”
Sister Imma Di Stefano, president of the Federation of Blessed Maria Celeste Crostarosa, also experienced the day with deep emotion: “I was there ten years ago in this crowded square. Returning today, I’m just as moved.” But, she added, much remains to be done: “I’d like to see her better known and more widely known. Her figure is still all to be discovered.”
Sister Di Stefano highlighted the creation of the federations as one of the most concrete fruits of the last ten years for the Order of the Most Holy Redeemer: “The beatification was a great boost, because afterward the federations were formed and a great deal of unity was created among the monasteries. There were moments of contact, of unity, but now it’s even more. Just our presence here today, right? As Italian monasteries, then the sisters from Burkina Faso were there… this is a great innovation that didn’t exist before.”
The day of prayer concluded with a concert by the Officina Musicale – Orchestra da Camera dell’Immacolata, which offered the many faithful in attendance a program of sacred and classical music, sealing a day of remembrance, gratitude, and renewed commitment in the name of Blessed Maria Celeste Crostarosa.
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