I was delighted to read in the Italian newspaper, Il Corriere Alpi that the cause of Pope John Paul I’s beatification and hopefully canonization is one step closer to fruition. According to the article, on October 17 this year, the official positio will be submitted the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints. John Paul I is now called a Servant of God and if this petition is accepted after a lengthy examination and the recognition of a miracle attributed to Luciani’s intercession, he will be among the Blessed.
Here is my translation of a portion of the article. The original can be read in Italian at
“On the 17th of October, during the centenary of the birth of Albino Luciani, together with my collaborator Stefania Falasca, I will officially submit to Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation of the Causes of the Saints, the “positio” regarding the “Servant of God” John Paul I.” This announcement was given yesterday to Agordo by Bishop Enrico Dal Covolo, rector of the Pontifical Lateran University and postulator of the cause for the beatification of Pope Luciani…… “The positio, the bishop said, is a dossier consisting of two large red volumes; the first collects the testimonies on the life and virtues of Luciani while the second is centered on the his personal history. In these volumes are found the best testimony of the heroism and virtue of John Paul I and they will be examined on two levels: by the experts of the Congregation and after them, by the members themselves. If the result of this examination, continued Bishop Dal Covolo, is positive, as I am certain it will be, then the Pope will authorize the giving of the title “Venerable” to Luciani. The process will continue therefore with the verification of a miracle, the seal of the iter, which is already going well, through which within a few years your illustrious countryman will rise to the honor of the altar as Blessed.”
I am thrilled that this is occuring! If you have been reading my blog for any time you are aware of my high regard for Papa Luciani and my desire to be able to see the day he is canonized a saint of the Church. I hope too that (only a grace of God will allow this to occur!) that I might be able to be deacon for the beatification of canonization Mass. I know… a tall order. But I served him at the Mass of Installation; I would like to serve him again at the Mass of Beatification.
Pray that the process goes smoothly and rapidly.
Papa Luciani, pray for us!
