Gioacchino La Lomia
Encyclopedia
Padre Gioacchino La Lomia (3 March 1831 - 30 July 1905) was an Italian priest
of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin
(OFM Cappuccino), a missionary
and a preacher
.
, Sicily
, the son of Don Nicolò and his wife Eleonora, the Barons La Lomia, a very wealthy family.
Gaetano La Lomia entered the monastery
as Gioacchino La Lomia in 1852 and was ordained a priest into the Capuchin order at Palermo
in 1855. He served his papal missionary
in the Amazonian Forest of Brazil
for twelve years. Together with other missionary brothers, he preached the Gospel
to thirteen villages, and dedicated himself to the improvement of health and the well-being of the Brazilian people and to the improvement of the culture in the region.
He returned to Italy in 1880 and started the Convent of the Capuchins of Canicattì in the Madonna della Rocca church. Although he was born to a wealthy family, he chose a life of poverty and humility. He was famous for performing many miracles both in Brazil and in Italy. His humility and charisma was recognized by all Sicilians as well as the Emperor Don Pedro II of Brazil
whose confessions he also heard.
Padre Gioacchino became a candidate of the stages for Canonization
in the Roman Catholic Church
in the Diocese of Agrigento, Sicily, in 1928. Four stages lead to Canonization with the title of Saint
: first is Servant of God
, second is Venerable
, third is Blessed
, then Saint. The candidate to these higher honors becomes "Venerable" when his or her case has been officially accepted by the Sacred Congregation of Rites
and when a special Papal decree announces the candidacy, asserting that the person had spiritual virtues of heroic degree
or had suffered martyrdom.
On 23 April 2002, in the Clementine Hall
of the Vatican Palace, Pope John Paul II
proclaimed Father Gioacchino Venerable. On 29 September 2005, Pope Benedict XVI
removed the custom which had previously called for Beatification
rites to be held in the Vatican with the Pope
presiding and delegated the Beatification liturgical ceremony to the Cardinal
in the location where the subject lived. The Canonization process normally requires a 5 year waiting period.
Chista e' la storia
di Patri Jachinu,
lu bon cappuccinu,
di Canijatti'.
Lassa' lu munnu,
si chiusi 'ncummentu
e tuttu cuntentu
a Diu, sirvi...
This is the story
of Padre Gioacchino,
the good Cappuccino,
of Canicatti'.
He left the world
to be secluded in a convent
totally contented
to serve the Lord...
This article includes material translated from the Italian Wikipedia article.
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin
Order of Friars Minor Capuchin
The Order of Friars Minor Capuchin is an Order of friars in the Catholic Church, among the chief offshoots of the Franciscans. The worldwide head of the Order, called the Minister General, is currently Father Mauro Jöhri.-Origins :...
(OFM Cappuccino), a missionary
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
and a preacher
Preacher
Preacher is a term for someone who preaches sermons or gives homilies. A preacher is distinct from a theologian by focusing on the communication rather than the development of doctrine. Others see preaching and theology as being intertwined...
.
Biography
He was born Gaetano La Lomia on 3 March 1831 in CanicattìCanicattì
Canicattì is a comune in the Province of Agrigento in the Italian region Sicily, located about 90 km southeast of Palermo and about 25 km east of Agrigento.-History:...
, Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
, the son of Don Nicolò and his wife Eleonora, the Barons La Lomia, a very wealthy family.
Gaetano La Lomia entered the monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
as Gioacchino La Lomia in 1852 and was ordained a priest into the Capuchin order at Palermo
Palermo
Palermo is a city in Southern Italy, the capital of both the autonomous region of Sicily and the Province of Palermo. The city is noted for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy, playing an important role throughout much of its existence; it is over 2,700 years old...
in 1855. He served his papal missionary
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
in the Amazonian Forest of Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
for twelve years. Together with other missionary brothers, he preached the Gospel
Gospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
to thirteen villages, and dedicated himself to the improvement of health and the well-being of the Brazilian people and to the improvement of the culture in the region.
He returned to Italy in 1880 and started the Convent of the Capuchins of Canicattì in the Madonna della Rocca church. Although he was born to a wealthy family, he chose a life of poverty and humility. He was famous for performing many miracles both in Brazil and in Italy. His humility and charisma was recognized by all Sicilians as well as the Emperor Don Pedro II of Brazil
Pedro II of Brazil
Dom Pedro II , nicknamed "the Magnanimous", was the second and last ruler of the Empire of Brazil, reigning for over 58 years. Born in Rio de Janeiro, he was the seventh child of Emperor Dom Pedro I of Brazil and Empress Dona Maria Leopoldina and thus a member of the Brazilian branch of...
whose confessions he also heard.
Padre Gioacchino became a candidate of the stages for Canonization
Canonization
Canonization is the act by which a Christian church declares a deceased person to be a saint, upon which declaration the person is included in the canon, or list, of recognized saints. Originally, individuals were recognized as saints without any formal process...
in the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
in the Diocese of Agrigento, Sicily, in 1928. Four stages lead to Canonization with the title of Saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
: first is Servant of God
Servant of God
Servant of God is a title given to individuals by various religions, but in general the phrase is used to describe a person believed to be pious in his or her faith tradition. In the Catholic Church, it designates someone who is being investigated by the Church for possibly being recognized as a...
, second is Venerable
Venerable
The Venerable is used as a style or epithet in several Christian churches. It is also the common English-language translation of a number of Buddhist titles.-Roman Catholic:...
, third is Blessed
Beatification
Beatification is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a dead person's entrance into Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in his or her name . Beatification is the third of the four steps in the canonization process...
, then Saint. The candidate to these higher honors becomes "Venerable" when his or her case has been officially accepted by the Sacred Congregation of Rites
Sacred Congregation of Rites
The Sacred Congregation of Rites was a congregation of the Roman Curia, erected on January 22, 1588 by Pope Sixtus V and dissolved by Pope Paul VI on May 8, 1969....
and when a special Papal decree announces the candidacy, asserting that the person had spiritual virtues of heroic degree
Heroic virtue
Heroic virtue is a phrase coined by Augustine of Hippo to describe the virtue of early Christian martyrs and used by the Roman Catholic church. The Greek pagan term hero described a person with possibly superhuman abilities and great goodness, and "it connotes a degree of bravery, fame, and...
or had suffered martyrdom.
On 23 April 2002, in the Clementine Hall
Clementine Hall
The Clementine Hall is a hall of the Apostolic Palace near St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. It was established in the 16th century by Pope Clement VIII in honor of Pope Clement I, the third successor of St. Peter. The Clementine Hall is covered in Renaissance frescoes and valuable works of art...
of the Vatican Palace, Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
proclaimed Father Gioacchino Venerable. On 29 September 2005, Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
removed the custom which had previously called for Beatification
Beatification
Beatification is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a dead person's entrance into Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in his or her name . Beatification is the third of the four steps in the canonization process...
rites to be held in the Vatican with the Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
presiding and delegated the Beatification liturgical ceremony to the Cardinal
Cardinal (Catholicism)
A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and...
in the location where the subject lived. The Canonization process normally requires a 5 year waiting period.
Music
In the 1970s "The Padre Gioacchino Song" was recorded in Sicily on 45rpm vinyl by Cesare d'Ambra and the orchestration was performed under the direction of Maestro Giuseppe Buttice'. The lyrics for the song are on page 89 of the book and have been recited by many generations of Sicilians.Chista e' la storia
di Patri Jachinu,
lu bon cappuccinu,
di Canijatti'.
Lassa' lu munnu,
si chiusi 'ncummentu
e tuttu cuntentu
a Diu, sirvi...
This is the story
of Padre Gioacchino,
the good Cappuccino,
of Canicatti'.
He left the world
to be secluded in a convent
totally contented
to serve the Lord...
External links
- Patri Jachinu - Gruppo Folk Canicattì
- Cappuccino Convent
- Padre Gioacchino La Lomia
- Padre Gioacchino La Lomia on YouTube.com
This article includes material translated from the Italian Wikipedia article.