THE HOLY SEE
On 20 February, Pope Francis authorised the promulgation of the decree of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints that recognises the heroic virtues of Elisa Giambelluca. This is the step that precedes beatification.
The Pope held an audience with the Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, in which he sanctioned eight decrees. One of these recognised “the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Elisa Giambelluca, faithful laywoman, member of the Teresian Association; born on 30 April 1941 in Isnello (Italy) and died in Rome (Italy) on 5 July 1986”.
We celebrate this important step in the process of ecclesial recognition of Elisa’s holiness of life. It is a joy especially shared in the diocese of Cefalù to which her hometown, Isnello, belongs. It is there that this process of beatification was opened by popular initiative in March 2009. Her remains now rest in a parish chapel in Isnello (pictured).
Congratulations
The Bishop of Cefalù, Giuseppe Marciante, wrote on 20 February: “I express my gratitude to the Lord for having raised up this sign of holiness in the midst of the Holy People of God of the Diocese of Cefalù. From today Elisa Giambelluca is venerable”. Bishop Marciante congratulated the community of Isnello, the Teresian Association, the Association Amici di Elisa Giambelluca and the postulator of the Cause, Mª Encarnación González Rodríguez.
The announcement issued by the Congregation highlights Elisa’s faith which she lived intensely from a very young age; the virtue of hope that she showed even in the painful moments of her illness; the attraction she felt towards the love of God that could be seen in her love for her family, for others and for her students and colleagues. “As a woman of culture and a teacher, she engaged in all kinds of charity, in fidelity to the charism of St Pedro Poveda". Read the Congregation announcement here (in Italian).
Simplicity and dedication
Elisa Giambelluca belongs to the group of people that Pope Francis called “the saints next door” in Gaudete et Exsultate. They are people who live a simple life and are devoted to others. They recognise others as brothers and sisters, children of the same father who is God.
Those who knew Elisa say that “she transmitted coherence, truth, goodness, kindness, affability, affection and the presence of God. She spoke with simplicity about her experience of faith, her spiritual life, her feelings and her health.
She lived out her baptismal vocation to the full in the service of young people in the field of education. She is an authentic witness of extraordinary union with Christ in everyday life through joy and self-giving. She felt that she was sharing in the paschal mystery as she accepted with faith and serenity the painful illness that led to her death at the age of 45.
TA Italy.
TA Translators Team.
