Spring 2006 continued...

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    On October 7, 2006, the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows was filled to capacity in celebration of 70 years of priestly service of Fr. Leonard Carrieri, M.SS.CC. in a concelebrated Mass over which Fr. Carrieri presided as the main celebrant.  Fr. Michael Messaro, M.SS.CC.spoke of Father's first contact with the Missionaries and recounted in his homily the many assignments that had been covered by Fr. Leonard during his 70 years.  From Naples, Italy where he was first assigned as Rector of the Formation House after ordination in 1936 to our community in South America where he also became fluent in Spanish.  Then in the early 1950's he came to Southern New Jersey, working first in parishes in Camden and in the growing community there, and then as Pastor in Linwood.  He served a term as Superior General of the congregation and was also a participant in the Vatican II Council.  Deeply devoted to leading all to the knowledge of God's love, he was especially known for comforting those who came to him for counseling with the words, "God loves you and that's all that matters." Currently at age 92, Fr. Leonard resides at Villa Pieta in Linwood where he offers Mass each day, still counsels those in need, is an award winning sculptor and publishes many spiritual messages on his website; mmsshh.org.

 

CANONIZATION OF
Bl. GAETANO ERRICO

    Canonization of Bl. Gaetano Errico, Founder of the Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary is closer to reality.  The Superior General, Fr. Salvatore lzzo, informed the congregation that the second miracle attributed to the intercession of Bl. Errico has been approved by the medical panel of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints on October 6, 2006.  In late 2005, the Diocese of Naples, Italy concluded that indeed the birth of a child to a couple in Naples had only occurred through the intercession of Bl. Gaetano.  The woman had been told she would never have a child and her husband visiting the tomb of Bl. Gaetano, begged for his intercession for the gift of a child.  

The medical approval is the most difficult step in the process of canonization.  The miracle will now be presented for approval of the theological panel.  After that it will receive the final approval of the Cardinals and the Pope.  It is hoped the process will be completed within a year.  With God's grace, the congregation will have their first saint, St. Gaetano Errico.