Luisa Piccarreta & the Divine Will
The Servant of God Luisa Piccarreta - Status of her Cause
January 2023
As of 2023 there has been no substantial change in the status of the Cause. The Congregation for the Causes of the Saints continues its review of the documentation on the heroic virtues of Luisa, but is doing so without consideration of her writings. The writings (in 36 volumes) are being studied separately. A critical edition in Italian (translated from the local dialect of the Servant of God) is completed and in review. Upon review they will be submitted to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith for approval. Translation from this typical critical edition into other languages will be under the authority of the Archbishop of Trani.
A review of the relevant websites, for the Archdiocese and for the Cause, shows no published changes by the current archbishop, Most Rev. Leonardo D'Ascenzo (2017), to the decisions of his predecessors regarding the language editions, prayer groups and other matters connected with the propagation of the devotion to the Servant of God.
The Communique of the previous Archbishop of Trani, Most Rev. Giovanni Battista Pichierri, of November 1st, 2012, remains the most recent official statement on these matters. In order not to prejudice the Cause and scandalize others, he reiterated that all things be done in communion with the local Ordinaries (e.g. prayer groups, reading of the writings etc.), that unauthorized translations not be promoted, and that explanations inconsistent with the teaching of the Church not be promulgated, and that the critical edition of the writings with theological explanations be awaited, as well as other requests previously made in prior communications.
At this time there are still NO official English translations of any of the volumes. As previously stated to EWTN by the Postulation, the complexity of translating from the dialect used by the author into Italian, and then from Italian into other languages, and doing so consistent with the doctrine of the Faith, makes it absolutely necessary that the prohibition of unauthorized translations be observed. When the critical edition with theological notes is completed, and approved by the Holy See, only then will the Postulation authorize translations, and then only from the critical edition.
In summary:
1. The life and virtues of Luisa Piccarreta are being examined at the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints, following approval of the positive result of the documentary process by the Archbishop of Trani in 2005, and then committed to the Congregation at that time. Evidence suggests this process nears completion.
2. Her writings are being examined on a separate track, in view of producing a critical edition with appropriate commentary in keeping with the teaching of the Magisterium.
3. No change in the norms and guidance provided by the Archbishop of Trani in previous official communications has occurred.
Website of the Official Association
Historical Documents:
2003 Meeting of EWTN & Postulation
2015 Letter of Archbishop Pichierri to IV International Conference
Related Q and A
To the IV International Conference on the Servant of God Luisa Piccarreta
Prot. 128/15/C2
Dear confreres in the Episcopate,
dear Priests, dear brothers and sisters,
I greet you in the light and joy of the Risen Lord!
On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the birth of the Servant of God Luisa Piccarreta, I called the IV International conference entitled "Church in the Divine Will". It took place from 23 to 26 April 2015 at Corato (Bari) with about 650 participants from Italy and Ireland, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, France, Germany, Poland, Canada, United States (California, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Wisconsin), Mexico, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Nigeria, Philippines, South Korea, Australia. In the variety of cultures and of languages, we could make an intense experience of the Church’s mystery of missionary communion!
I welcomed with joy the commitment which the participants at the Convention solemnly declared, desiring to be more faithful to the charism of "living in the Divine Will" on the example of the Servant of God Luisa Piccarreta, "in the Church, for the Church and with the whole Church," and to intensify the divine communion of the "groups of the Divine Will" among themselves, with their own Bishops, with the local Church and with the parishes where
they find to operate.
I wish to communicate that the Cause of Beatification proceeds positively with the commitment, already made, on the part of the Archdiocese, to elaborate the critical edition of the writings of the Servant of God. I have recommended to all to deepen the life and doctrine of the Servant of God Luisa Piccarreta in the light of Sacred Scripture, of the Tradition and the Magisterium of the Church under the guidance and in obedience to their Bishops and Priests and with fervent and responsible participation in the Sacraments.
I address my appeal to the Bishops in whose Dioceses there are present "groups of the divine Will," to welcome, accompany and support these groups, helping them to concretely put into practice the spirituality of the Divine Will.
I hope that the beautiful experience of ecclesial life that the Holy Spirit has made us experience in these days may continue making the "family of the Divine always visible in the local Church
Will "spread throughout the world.
Mary, Mother and Queen of the Divine Will, guide us and keep always in her Fiat.
Corato, Church of the Sacred Heart
26 April 2015
+Giovan Battista Pichierri
Archbishop
[Unofficial translation by EWTN]
