Ave Maria!
Correction – Originally this was titled “Our Founder’s Parents will Be Beatified”, following the post of Fr. Z’s blog. However it seems this is a miss translation and, in fact, their cause will merely be officially accepted. This simply means the process is not as far along but is nevertheless very promising. We will keep you posted on any further clarifications and progress in their cause.
Settimo Manelli (1886-1978) and Licia Gualandris (1907-2004).
The parents of Fr. Stefano Manelli, founder and Minister General of the Franciscans of the Immaculate will be beatified. Truly great news.
From Fr. Zuhlsdorf:
In the Italian daily La repubblica there is an article about an upcoming beatification.
Vatican City – In spite of the fact that only his salary was coming in, they had 21 children: an example of Christian “faithfulness” and “acceptance” which the Church points to also for every family today with the beatification of the couple. ….
I don’t have time to translate the whole thing, but with the beatification Holy Church will hold up Settimo Manelli (1886-1978) and Licia Gualandris (1907-2004) as “exemplary spouses and parents”.
In a time when families are being called upon to tighten the belt, in a time when the decline of the number of children being brought into families with a loving father and mother in the home, in a time when more and more children are being exposed less and less to a life of Christian faith well-lived, this beatification takes on its own importance, much as did the beatifications of Bl. Luigi Quattrocchi and Maria Corsini, or that of St. Gianna Beretta Molla.
via An upcoming beatification | Fr. Z’s Blog – What Does The Prayer Really Say?.
Did you catch the age of Licia Manelli? She was about 97 (1907-2004)!! This is after having 21 children! I guess this beatification proves Paul right in 1 Tim 2:15, “Yet she shall be saved through childbearing; if she continue in faith, and love, and sanctification, with sobriety.” Deo Gratias!
Actually, there is a correction on this as the notice was mistranslated: their cause has been introduced and the diocesan inquiry has begun BUT their beatification is not yet approved. Very likely it will indeed come but it could be a few years off yet. Their holiness is not in doubt; but the process must be gone through.
Ave Maria!
I was at the ceremony and it was beautiful, hundreds of friars, sisters and MIM members filled the Sala della Conciliazione. With the process officially open, we can distribute relics and invoke their intercession publicly.
Settimio and Licia, pray for us!
Ave Maria!
What is their Title? Are they Venerables or Servants Of God?
God Bless!
~Sir Rene