Fr. James Torno, C.R. – Public Opening Session of the Diocesan Process on the Servant of God
January 18, 2024
BASILICA OF SAINT PAUL THE MAJOR IN NAPLES
Within the Theatine Jubilee Year, celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Foundation of the Order, we have the joy of beginning the First Session of the Process on the fame of holiness, the virtues, the fame of signs or miracles, and the ecclesial importance of the Cause of Fr. James Torno, C.R.
For the Postulation this day is a point of arrival and a point of departure. On May 11, 2020, the Postulator wrote a Letter to the then Archbishop of Naples, His Eminence Cardinal Crescenzo Sepe, asking to introduce the Cause of Beatification and Canonization of the Venerable Servant of God Fr. James Torno, Theatine Priest.
On May 23 of the same year we received the Approval. In his Letter, Cardinal Crescenzo Sepe told us: “I am sure that the promotion of the life of Venerable James will contribute to the spiritual edification of so many, to respond, with generosity and joy, to the call to holiness.”
We have reached the First Session of the Diocesan Process, after having also welcomed the Introduction of the Cause, His Excellency D. Domenico Battaglia, Archbishop of Naples and having received the positive opinion of the Episcopal Conference of the Region. The Nihil Obstat was then collected from the Dicasteries of the Holy See in Rome.
This is an Ancient Cause. On this day, Father James Torno, C.R., died in the Holy House of Saint Paul in Naples, 415 years ago. Therefore, the fundamental work will be that of the Historical Commission, which must investigate all the Documentation that is found on his personality, activity and sanctity in his life, in his death, and after death until reaching the present day, in devotion to his figure, who is alive among us. There are many faithful who pray before his incorrupt body.
In addition to the Historical Documentation, we hope the Declaration of the Witnesses will confirm his Fame of Holiness. Father James Torno, C.R., was confessor of Saint Andrew Avelino. His reputation for holiness, which is the foundation for starting the Cause, reaches us. And He teaches us, among many other virtues such as humility, brotherhood, the spirit of service, his love and study of the Holy Scripture, to fight against ourselves and our passions, in everything that does not correspond to the will of God. He came to acquire great meekness, the opposite vice being typical of his nature. It teaches us to “ad agire contra” in the conquest of holiness, which is nothing other than imitating Christ. The secret of this hidden and personal work is the fruit of a heart in love with Christ. We have a great model to follow and we hope that the Church can proclaim his holiness very soon. The Saints are the glory of the Church. The purpose of the work that begins today is to one day be able to officially proclaim his holiness for the Glory of God and the good of the Church. Thank you!
The Chancellor of the Archbishopric, Fr. Luigi Ortaglio OFM, has read the Document of the First Session of the Diocesan Process on the life, virtues and fame of holiness and signs of the Servant of God Fr. James Torno, C.R., and has invited people to take the oath. on the Gospels and to sign the aforementioned Document to the members of the Ecclesiastical Tribunal for the Cause of D. James Torno, C.R., and to the members of the Historical Commission in the following order.
H.E. Mons. Domenico Battaglia, Archbishop of Naples.
Sac. D. Francesco Riviescio, Delegate of the Archbishop.
Dttsa. Lucia Boiano, Promoter of Justice.
Prof. Vittorio Emanuele Cangiano, Notary.
Prof. Antonietta Borriello, Deputy Notary.
P. Ambrosio Cots, C.R., Postulatore.
Fr. Aleksander Iwaszczonek C.R., member of the Historical Commission.
Avv. Luca Vitale, Member Historical Commission
Prof. Ulderico Parente, Member of the Historical Commission, could not be present at the oath.
At the end, the Solemn Blessing took place by Archbishop Mons. Domenico Battaglia.
Let us give thanks to the Lord and always and above all seek the Kingdom of God!
