On the 14th July, in the Basilica of Our Lady of Grace in Benevento, Italy, Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, presided over the Solemn Eucharist of thanksgiving for the Decree on the exercise of the heroic virtues of Venerable Br. Isaia Columbro, professed priest of the Order of Friars Minor in the Province of Sannio and Irpinia "Our Lady of Grace", born in Foglianise (BN) on the 11th February 1908, died on the evening of the 13th July 2004, at the "Annunciation Friary in Vitulano (BN).
More than a thousand faithful filled the great Basilica, where the Venerable Br. Isaia made his solemn profession of vows (15th September, 1929) and was ordained a priest (25th July, 1931). In this same place, 20 years after his death (13th July, 2024) and 10 years after the beginning of the Diocesan Inquiry (13th July, 2014), the Decree on the heroic virtues of Br. Isaiah was officially read, which Pope Francis authorized to promulgate on June 20, 2024, and by which it is recognized that the friar of Foglianise he followed the Lord more closely, thus becoming a credible witness of Vangelo.Il Cardinal, during his homily, emphasized in particular the ministry of consolation of the Venerable, and encouraged to ask, in particular cases of need, for his spiritual support from God.
The Postulator General of the Order of Friars Minor, Br. Giovangiuseppe Califano, read the Decree on the Virtues after the penitential act, followed by a long applause from the whole Assembly.
At the end of the celebration, the Minister Provincial Br. Antonio Tremigliozzi, OFM took the floor to thank those present and those who have worked for the cause of Br. Isaiah in recent years, stating that his "venerability" represents a particular sign with which the Lord blesses the Franciscan Province of "Our Lady of Grace", the Archdiocese of Benevento, but also the entire Order of Friars Minor and the entire Church.
He then reported the message sent by the Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor, Br. Massimo Fusarelli, who was unable to be present, but who wanted to express his personal joy, having met the Servant of God: "The sense of a full life and a joy that spreads has remained imprinted in me after two providential meetings I had with Fr. Isaia in the 1990s. I remember with affection a humble, serene friar, with a bright and blessing gaze. The light that shone through his eyes was the reflection of a deep belonging, which became one with the Lord and Master, transformed into a real blessing both for the friars of the Province and for all the faithful."
Provincial Secretariat of the Province of Santa Maria delle Grazie
