Celebration of Padre Domenico da Cese at the Shrine of the Holy Face of Manoppello

Photos and Text from the Facebook page of the Shrine of the Holy Face of Manoppello Facebook

During the morning Holy Mass on September 21, presided over by the Rector of the Shrine Father Antonio Gentili OFM Cap, in the presence of his relatives, and hundreds of faithful who came from Ruvo di Puglia, Andria and various other Italian regions and from all over the world, the anniversary of the birth in heaven of Padre Domenico da Cese was celebrated,  born in Avezzano in 1905 and died in Turin on September 17, 1978, the day of the Stigmata of St. Francis.

 Father Domenico, who defined himself as a "poor friar who prays and asks the Lord for graces", always with the rosary intertwined between his fingers, was constantly dedicated to prayer and was a Capuchin priest with a humble character and a mild temperament, a confessor and spiritual father of those who sought him.

The Marsican friar, for twelve years in service in the shrine of Manoppello, from 1966 until his death, can be considered a true "Apostle of the Holy Face", who worked so hard to spread the knowledge of the most important relic of Christianity and consequently devotion to it.

 The Capuchin friars of Manoppello and the whole community remember dear Padre Domenico with unchanged affection and entrust his soul to the Blessed Virgin Mary and to the Holy Face, so that the Lord may keep him in the shining light of His endless glory. Amen

 

Saint Padre Pio Commemorated on His Feast Day at the Shrine of the Holy Face of Manoppello

 

The faithful venerating a relic of Saint Padre Pio

text and photos from the Facebook page of the Shrine of the Holy Face of Manoppello Facebook

On September 23, the feast day of Saint Padre Pio, in the Basilica of the Holy Face, during the Holy Masses presided over by Father Antonio Gentili, OFM Cap, and concelebrated by the other Friars of Manoppello, the figure of Padre Pio of Pietrelcina was remembered on the anniversary of his death.

 A brother Capuchin and a saint particularly dear to all the faithful, we turn with trust to Saint Pio so that he may enlighten and strengthen the pastors of the Church, show us the path to holiness, instill hope especially in the most fragile, and guide us to contemplate the eternal Face of God.

 "Pray, wait, and do not worry. God is merciful and will hear your prayers" (Saint Pio of Pietrelcina).

Saint Padre Pio Given Place of Honor for the Veneration of the Faithful in the Shrine of the Holy Face of Manoppello

photos and text taken from the Facebook page of the Shrine https://www.facebook.com/basilicavoltosanto

 In the Basilica of the Holy Face, the area of the Friars' Choir, behind the main altar, has been opened to the faithful. The decision, made by Rector Father Antonio Gentili in agreement with his fellow Capuchins, is motivated by the desire to offer pilgrims traveling to Manoppello the opportunity to experience another moment of grace: that of being able to approach up close the pew where the last known bilocation of Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina (1887-1968) occurred.

A witness to the event was Padre Domenico da Cese (1905-1978) from Avezzano, a Capuchin priest who lived at the Shrine of the Holy Face from 1965 until his death. He was a spiritual son and friend of Padre Pio: their first meeting in San Giovanni Rotondo in 1940 is well-known, for example. Equally well-known is the advice Padre Pio used to give to the faithful of Abruzzo not to travel far to visit him but rather to go to Manoppello to see the friar from the Marsica in Italy, who closely resembled him, both because he had received the same spiritual gifts from the Lord and for his always simple and welcoming manner. Indeed, Padre Domenico confided to a friend, Bruno Sammaciccia (who later recounted the episode in a public document), that he had seen Padre Pio in bilocation on September 22, 1968, the day before his death, kneeling in the first pew of the friars' choir, his head in his hands and his gaze fixed on the Holy Face (perfectly visible from that position, as it still is today), while he uttered these words: "I no longer trust myself; see you in Heaven."

In the same place as the choir, a relic of Saint Pio, set in a wooden cross, is displayed: a lock of the Saint's hair and a piece of his Franciscan habit.

Thanking God for the gift and example of the Saints, with humble and trusting hearts, prostrate before the image of the Face of the Risen Jesus, as Saint Pio did then, approaching the moment of passing from earthly life to heaven, we entrust our most intimate and profound intentions to his intercession.