Capuchins of Abruzzo to Remember Padre Domenico da Cese and Launch Biography of His Life

On September 17, the 36th anniversary of the death in Turin of Padre Domenico da Cese, O.F.M., Cap., beloved rector of the Shrine in Manoppello during the 1970's and often simply known as Padre Domenico of the Holy Face, the Capuchins of Abruzzo will hold a conference on his life at the Shrine of the Madonna dei Sette Dolori (Madonna of the Seven Sorrows) in Pescara Colli.

The conference includes the launch of a biography on the life of Padre Domenico written by the vice-postulator of the cause for his beatification, Eugenio Di Giamberardino, who is also the author of "The Holy Face of Manoppello -- Tradition, History, Science and Devotion".

During the conference, which begins at 4pm, there will be a talk by Fr. Giamberardino to introduce the biography of Padre Domenico as well as talks by Fr. Carmine Ranieri, Provincial Minister of the Capuchins of Abruzzo, by Fr. Vincenzo di Marcoberardino, Fr. Guglielmo Alimonti, Brother Vincenzo D'Elpidio among other fellow Capuchins of Padre Domenico. The program will conclude with a concelebrated Mass presided by the Provincial Minister.

It is noteworthy that this program to commemorate the life of Padre Domenico is being held on the day on which concludes the Mission for the Holy Face to the USA and the Philippines which is being conducted by Fr. Carmine Cucinelli, the rector of the Shrine of the Holy Face of Manoppello.

Bishop Luca Brandolini of the Diocese of Sora-Aquino-Pontecorvo composed and published the following prayer in 2006 for the beatification of Padre Domenico.

O God, glorify in the Church your servant Father Domenico da Cese, humble Capuchin priest, to whom you gave the privilege of sharing also visibly the passion of Christ and of being able to read into the hearts of souls in order to relieve their burdens and to reconcile them with you through the sacrament of pardon, as well as the capacity of recognizing in the poor and the suffering the very Holy Face of your beloved Son, whose devotion he promoted with such zeal, through his intercession obtain for me the humility of heart and the simplicity of the little ones to whom you have revealed the secrets of the Kingdom, and in my hour of trial give me the strength to overcome the seductions of evil in order to put Satan to flight, and to merit, at the end of my earthly pilgrimage, to be able to contemplate the Holy Face of Jesus in the glory of Paradise.

Though unworthy as I am of your divine favors, I ask that you might grant, through the intercession of your faithful servant Father Domenico, the grace that I humbly ask of you...