Diocesan inquiry opened into an alleged miraculous healing adventure through the intercession of Venerable don Giovanni Merlini.
by Fr. Valerio Volpi, cpps
“Devotion to the Blood of Christ is the most powerful protection against the evils of the world,” said Don Giovanni Merlini,” and since we have many evils in this world, I believe there is much work to be done. With these words, in a cordial and prophetic tone, Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe welcomed the religious family of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood and that of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ to the headquarters of the Archdiocese of Naples on Feb. 6, 2019. The occasion of the meeting was the opening of the diocesan inquiry into an alleged miraculous healing that occurred through the intercession of Venerable Don Giovanni Merlini, third Moderator General of the aforementioned congregation of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood. The morning began under the banner of fraternal gathering. Several members of the two congregations met in the diocesis for this great event, which they had long awaited. Present were: the Moderator General of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood Father William Nordenbrock, the Superior General of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, Sister Nadia Coppa, members of the postulation of the cause, the provincial director of the Missionaries, the Regional Superior of the Adorers, confreres, sisters and lay people. It was good to see them converge from the different parts of Italy where they carry out their ministry in service to the Church. For its part, the Church in Naples welcomed them and made them feel at home. After the Cardinal’s greeting, they proceeded to begin the prayer with the Veni Creator, wishing for the descent of the Holy Spirit not only on that moment, but on the whole process that began. Sr. Nicla Spezzati asc, General Postulator of the cause and Fr. Emanuele Lupi cpps, Vice-Postulator, introduced those present to some biographical sketches of the life of the servant of God and then moved on to the official request for the opening of the inquiry, which was welcomed by Cardinal Sepe. A simple but emotionally rich moment for all present was the handing over of the supplex libellus, that is, the set of all the documents collected by the postulation on the alleged miracle, an event that will be investigated by the tribunal for the Causes of Saints in the members appointed for the occasion by the archdiocese itself. And it was precisely to them that the attention of the audience was turned immediately afterwards, when, in accordance with the procedures, they were called upon to swear integrity of conduct and irreproachable behavior toward the task entrusted to them by the Church by touching the book of the Holy Gospels.
“Nel Segno del Sangue” May/June Issue, 2019