The Following is the Pastoral Letter of Archbishop
Carmelo Cassati
for the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the death of Luisa Piccarreta
___________________________
Mons. CARMELO CASSATI
Archbishop of Trani-Barletta-Bisceglie
Titular of Nazareth
Trani, January 23, 1997
Dearest Priests, Consecrated Souls,
and Faithful of our Archdiocese,
LUISA PICCARRETA died in Corato on March 4, 1947. It has been 50 years since her death; and while in Corato she continues to be remembered as "Luisa the Saint," in very many parts of the world her name is known because of her writings.
These are composed principally of her "Diaries," which were handwritten by Luisa in obedience to her confessors. In them is seen the continuous preoccupation of wanting to imitate Jesus Christ in the best of ways, placing herself in harmony with the Will of God.
She prayed ardently that the KINGDOM OF THE DIVINE WILL would be established on earth; and, for this to happen, it is necessary for men to begin to know this ardent desire of God, because no one can appreciate a gift without having experienced it.
The DIVINE WILL is the most precious thing that can be imagined, and It is unveiled to us in the measure which God deigns to make It known.
St. Paul prayed that we would have a full knowledge of the Divine Will with every wisdom and spiritual intelligence. The just are sanctified in the measure in which they have appreciated and loved It; and Jesus spoke continually of his desire to do the "WILL OF THE FATHER."
Unfortunately, THE DIVINE WILL is the great unknown, notwithstanding the fact that It is spoken so much of in Sacred Scripture. This is because our sin brings us overbearingly to do our own will, turning away from the Divine Will.
The Servant of God, Luisa Piccarreta, urges us to immerse ourselves in the Will of God. According to her, God created man in his image and likeness, adding a gift all His: THE GIFT OF HIS MOST ADORABLE WILL, so that man might act and live as a little God capable of conversing with his Creator.
The 50th anniversary of the death of Luisa "the Saint" might be for all of us the propitious occasion for an attentive study of her writings in order to feel closer to her.
We pray, also, for the good outcome of the Cause of her Beatification should it be in the Will of God that his Servant be exalted.
With affection,
Your Archbishop+ signed
(Mons. Carmelo Cassati)