With tears in my eyes
SOLEMN OFFICIAL BEGINNING OF THE CANONISATION PROCESS OF POPE LUCIANI
Yesterday, November 23th 2003, has been one of the most beautiful and emotional of my life. A day I expected for with anxiety. Living in first person an historical and exceptional event.
The Dome of Belluno, time 1.40pm. While I phone Max, from the outside, to know if he, don Angelo and Andrea arrive in time at 3pm, I watch the people who are waiting the doors are opened in order to come into the cathedral. Beside me it's Gino, one of the persons who has taken part to "Amici" meeting last August. I see Fr. Johan arrive. At 2.10pm we can enter. There we are given a beautiful booklet that allows us to follow the ceremony.
The Dome is full of people soon. Unfortunately, I have not been able to see Max arrive. There are three big screens: one behind the altar and the other two at both sides of the church.
At 3pm Cardinal José Saraiva Martins, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints; Msgr. Vincenzo Savio, Bishop of Belluno-Feltre; Msgr. Giorgio Lise, Vice-postulator of the Cause, and the members of the Eclesiastical Court in charge of the process make their entrance.
Msgr. Savio makes a speech. Then it is made a Reading and the Gospel. While Card. Saraiva speaks, the TV camera stops, or on Pope Luciani's relatives (Edoardo Luciani with his head lowered), or on the secretaries. It's possible to see seated together don Diego Lorenzi and Msgr. Mario Senigaglia, at whose side it is also don Ettore Fornezza. In the meantime, there are movies and images of Pope Luciani.
Msgr. Lise reads Luciani's biography and the request of introducing the Cause. While it's happening this and John Paul I's images are on the screens, tears begin rolling on my cheeks. I can stop hiding no more the greatest emotion I'm feeling.
After the Bishop's agreement, a loud applause bursts. I do not want to stop applauding any more!
One by one, the Court members swear and sign the document. I still have the tears in my eyes while I am watching at the TV screens how they are making it. It seems a dream to me...
At the end of the ceremony, I meet and embrace Luciani family. I dedicate a strong and moved embrace to Edoardo. Finally, I meet Max, Andrea and don Angelo. I also embrace them. I really want to embrace everybody. Fr. Johan is with us. Emotion in all. I see don Ettore outside, also him destinatary of our embraces and all together to greet Edoardo again. "Are you still here and always together?". "Yes, always together!", we answer.
Then Edoardo and Pia with the Bishop, to whom, before going away, I can stop and greet telling him with emotion: "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" and I kiss the ring. Msgr. Savio... the responsible of this feast we are living; the same one who has known how to interpret the feeling of people who claimed from all the continents: "Luciani, Blessed!"
Msgr. Savio... God bless you always! And still... THANK YOU!
Gloria C. Molinari
Venice, November 24th, 2003
More information on this event:
Beatification and graces received
GCM2003