"The
Stigmatist of Manoppello" ("Stygmatyk z Manoppello") is released
in Poland.
The
Life, Miracles and Mystical Experiences of Father Domenico of the Holy Face of
Jesus
Reviewed by Antonio
Bini
The book, authored by Aleksandra Zapotoczny, recounts the story of this mysterious Capuchin stigmatist and his supernatural gifts, emphasizing his connection to the Holy Face of Jesus preserved in Manoppello and his friendship with Padre Pio of Pietrelcina.
Aleksandra Zapotoczny, has written several books on Pope
John Paul II (in Italy Mondadori published in 2022 her book "Live inside us"). She has been interested for years in the Holy
Face, which is known throughout Poland and has been venerated by thousands of
Polish pilgrims. Her interest in the
Holy Face quite naturally extended to the figure of Father Domenico da Cese leading her to participate in several of the commemorative meetings in Manoppello, held
annually around the anniversary of Father Domenico’s death, which took place on
September 17, 1978, in Turin, where he had gone for the exposition of the
Shroud. Through these occasions she became a part of the group of
devotees and propagators of the figure of the Servant of God, who have come to
Manoppello from all over Italy.
During these gatherings she met the late Br. Vincenzo
d'Elpidio, who was a long-time friend of Fr. Domenico and tireless supporter of
his cause of beatification. The author manages to comprehend the friar’s extraordinary
dedication to the Holy Face whose authenticity he always maintained.
.JPG) |
| Brother Vincenzo d'Elpidio, Antonio Bini and Aleksandra Zapotoczny |
The volume narrates the most important facts of the life,
the alleged miracles and the mystical experiences of Emidio Petracca, known to the world as
Father Domenico, faithful propagator of the Holy Face. The author is convinced
that Poland will also come to love Father Domenico and his work, helping to spread the
extraordinary news that the world preserves a great gift: the image of the Face
of Christ.
It is a cause for reflection that it was the Capuchin
himself who, although despite the fact that he did not wish to be spoken about, prophesied on several
occasions that after his death there would be an ever increasing amount of talk
about his life at the service of the Holy Face.
Readers will also find many images of the places linked to
the life of this priest from Abruzzo. There are testimonies and a number of
interviews with people significantly present in the life of Father Domenico and
those who frequent the Basilica of Manoppello. Space is given to the words of
the vice postulator of the Cause of Beatification, Father Eugenio Vittorio Di
Giamberardino and to Fr. Carmine Cucinelli, at the time of the interview rector
of the Basilica of the Holy Face in Manoppello, who for many years, together
with Sister Petra-Maria Steiner, collected many documents concerning the
Servant of God. Some family members of
Father Domenico are also among those interviewed.
In her introduction to the book, the author Aleksandra
Zapotoczny thanks in Italian one by one the people who contributed to the
realization of this volume: "My most sincere thanks to Antonio Bini, to
the editorial staff of 'La voce delle Cese', to Paul Badde, to the Capuchin
Fathers of Manoppello and to the other witnesses of the holy life of Father
Domenico da Cese".
Zapotoczny says that: "it is a great responsibility to
introduce a person to those who do not yet know him. To date, publications have
been published on the figure of Father Domenico in Italian, English, German and
Portuguese, but this book of mine is the first in Polish. I paid great
attention to describing the figure of Emidio Petracca, especially for those
Poles who, not knowing languages, could not deepen the topic. I read about
Father Domenico for the first time in the book by the German writer Paul Badde
and this character intrigued me immediately, especially for the fact that he
was "recommended" to the faithful by Padre Pio. So I decided to
introduce Father Domenico to Polish readers, using for the cover of my book the
first photo of Father Domenico that I saw published in Paul Badde's
volume".
Zapotoczny recalls how "Poland is coming to know this
incredible relic. In my book, I dedicate an entire chapter to the history of
this Veil, mentioning all the people who have been working for years to make it
known everywhere, as Father Domenico desired, including Renzo Allegri, Sister
Blandina, Fr. Heinrich Pfeiffer, Saverio Gaeta and many others. An affectionate
thought also goes to Pope Benedict XVI, who wished to visit Manoppello back in
2006, thus turning the spotlight on this relic. Many Polish pilgrimages
go to Manoppello and in our country there are already several churches that
preserve copies of the Holy Face but, until today, the figure of Father Domenico
has been known hardly at all.
We asked the author some questions to better understand her
work.
1) What particular circumstance led you to write the book?
For years I have been dealing with the topic of the relics
of the saints, regarding which I have published two books, with the third in
preparation. Precisely because of this I approached the Veil of Manoppello. The
first "eye to eye" encounter with Jesus was impressive. When you look
at the Veil and the light that illuminates the reliquary changes, it is as if the
face of Jesus comes to life. The fact that the Veil remained in the tomb of
Jesus together with the Shroud of Turin inspires the faithful to deepen their
knowledge of the life and death of Christ. During my research, I read for the
first time the name of Father Domenico da Cese in the book written by the
German writer Paul Badde, where a photograph of the Capuchin was also
published. The figure of Father Domenico immediately inspired me and from that
moment I knew that this photo would be published on the cover of the book I
would write about him. I thank my publishing house Wydawnictwo AA for accepting
my project.
2) You spoke of the bilocations of Padre Pio and Padre
Domenico. How could you define or frame the relationship between these two
Capuchins?
In Poland the Neapolitan priest Don Dolindo Ruotolo is
known, also for being in the odor of sanctity. He too was recommended to the
faithful by Padre Pio. Don Dolindo did not receive the stigmata, but
like Father Domenico he had the gift of bilocation. A curious fact, not well
known in Poland, is that relating to the "double bilocation": first
of all of the appearance of Padre Pio in Manoppello shortly before his death
and then the presence of Father Domenico during the funeral of the friar of
Pietrelcina. This is a curious and mysterious event, which deserved to be
presented to the vast Polish public. Although, as we well know, supernatural
events are not a sufficient measure to confirm the sanctity of a person. Being
holy means something else.
3) You mentioned the process of canonization
The servant of God, Father Domenico da Cese is a figure to
be presented to the Poles. In the book, of course, I report all the main
biographical facts and I also recalled the information on the opening of the
process of Beatification, as well as the prayer for the intercession of Father
Domenico which was translated into Polish for the first time.
4) You also mentioned the figure of Brother Vincenzo.
My research to complete the book began before the pandemic
and was interrupted by the lockdown period. This book was published on the 45th
anniversary of Father Domenico's birth into heaven but, in the meantime,
Brother Vincent has left us. It was very precious to me to have been able to
know him and to receive a special blessing from him. In the book, I also
published one of his testimonies about Father Domenico.
5) You also remembered Sister Amalia Di Rella, from Ruvo di
Puglia, who was the spiritual daughter of Father Domenico
In my book, which contains 200 pages, I presented the life,
the presumed miracles and the graces that would have been received through the
prayers of Father Domenico da Cese when he was still alive. I introduced all
the people who were close to him. Among these, the figure of Sister Amalia di
Rella could not be missing. Puglia is much loved by Polish people and,
presenting this spiritual daughter of Father Domenico, I wanted to invite the
devotees to travel not only to Manoppello but also to Ruvo di Puglia (and in
particular to the Church of Purgatory, spiritual home of Sr. Amalia and the
Volto Santo Association, Editor’s note )
°°°°
Aleksandra Zapotoczny, born in
Wadowice, Poland, the birthplace of St. John Paul II, now lives in Rome. A
Vatican expert, she collaborated with the Postulation for the process of
Beatification and Canonization of the Polish Pope. A journalist accredited to
the Holy See Press Office, she is the author of 26 books on saints and their
relics. Her
book on Father Domenico is published by Wydawnictw AA of Krakow - Stygmatyk z
Manoppello - Aleksandra Zapotoczny | Wydawnictwo AA - and can be purchased through the main web-stores. Future editions in other
languages are desirable.
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