| was here at Bitetto that Giacomo completed his religious training and resolved with energetic determination to spend the rest of his life in the service of God.
Giacomo spent the remainder of his days in the capacity of cook for the community. This humble position was especially gratifying to Blessed Giacomo because it was imposed upon him by holy obedience, the sole motivating force of all his actions. This job also gave him so many occasions to practice fraternal charity. Not only is the work of a cook for a religious community very lowly in itself, but it afforded him an opportunity to meditate on the wonders of God. Giacomo was very devoted to our Blessed Mother and every spare moment, especially the long hours of the night, was spent in prayer.
Another of Giacomos tasks was that of seeking alms for the community, an office which he exercised most zealously. There is no task more demanding of human nature and yet affording so many opportunities to give good example. Wherever the saintly brother went, he spread the good news of Christ, in this way; the entire area witnessed such an outstanding example of humility and charity. For forty years Brother Giacomo went through the streets of Bitetto and many other towns knocking on doors and begging for alms in the name of God. Oftentimes, the donor was the recipient of blessings which exceeded his own measure of charity. This holy brother always had a kind word or smile for those in distress and never failed to leave them consoled and inflamed with the love of God. Indeed, only God can measure the amount of good he was able to accomplish by means of his shining example and his simple words which went directly to the hearts of all he encountered.
The name of Giacomo is enshrined in the beautiful grotto of the Blessed Mother near the convent of Bitetto. It was at this holy place that he was often seen so rapt in prayer that he would become elevated from the ground. At times, the church bells would ring by themselves as if some unseen power or angelic hands were at work. Such is the testimony of eyewitnesses and those who appeared at the process of Brother Giacomos beatification. Countless deeds of a miraculous nature gave Giacomo undying fame as a saintly brother from the time of his entrance into the order of St. Francis until his holy death.
He was laid to rest in the Franciscan cemetery in the back of the church in Bitetto. Twenty years later his body was exhumed. Not only was the body of Blessed Giacomo entirely incorrupt, but it exuded a mysterious and unearthly fragrance. So many blessings and miracles have been obtained through his intercession that the body of this great servant of God was placed in a glass urn on the altar for the public veneration of the faithful. Beatification of Blessed Giacomo was confirmed by Pope Clement XI on December 29, 1700.
In his great humility, Giacomo like St. Francis, deemed himself unworthy to be ordained a priest. And yet what marvels of grace in that beautiful, innocent soul of his. Such humility, poverty, charity and obedience. Truly worthy of the devotion of his faithful, and they are legion, even to today, over five hundred years after his death. He appeared as an angel in the midst of the people at a time when they had a great need of a reminder from on high. Blessed Giacomo was indeed an angel of kindness and mercy. His purity of life is indescribable. Added to these gifts of the spirit, the Almighty saw fit to add the gift of prophecy and the reading of hearts. It was this great sanctity and purity of heart that made him worthy to converse with the Queen of Heaven and to have such sway over the creatures of earth. In view of these and many other incontestable facts which point to the sanctity of Blessed Giacomo, who would not wish to imitate his outstanding virtues and invoke his holy intercession?
On the 28th of May, 1985, the urn containing the body of Blessed Giacomo was taken down from the altar and opened. Many notable doctors from Rome and Bari were on hand to examine the state of preservation of the body and to make determinations on the condition of the garments. The body of Blessed Giacomo remained in the open urn in the center of the church and was venerated by many of the faithful.
:: SANCTIFICATION OF BEATO GIACOMO
In 1986 the Sanctification process for Beato Giacomo was initiated at the Santuario in Bitetto. All information and documentation was forwarded to the Congregation for the Causes of Sainthood at the Vatican in Rome. The last requirement for Sainthood is a miracle, attributed to the intercession of Beato Giacomo, to be recognized by the church. This miracle has already been exhaustively investigated by the Diocese of Bari-Bitonto and forwarded to the Sanctification Committee. All indications are that the announcement of Sainthood for Beato Giacomo will be made in the very near future. When this announcement comes it will be the most joyful day for all Bitettesi, here and in Italy. Bitetto and Beato Giacomo are related. How many memories, maybe of your childhood or your youth are awakening in you. The young ones have heard stories of Beato Giacomo from their parents and grandparents, and even though he was born in Dalmazia, Croatia, he is called Beato Giacomo of Bitetto because except for some short leaves, there he lived and developed his apostleship as a begging friar, there he performed his miracles. Bitetto is proud to have him as their protector and the people never lost the faith placed upon him. He is not only one who intercedes for us to God; he is a model to imitate. In his life he sought nothing but God. He helps us to treat God like God and to put him first above all. He was very devoted to Mary, Mother of God, passing many hours in prayer; he was a poor alms seeking friar and he always lived in silence and in humility. His lesson to us is to not put in front of all, and to understand that humility makes us great. He healed many wounds of the heart with words of comfort; he illuminated many minds with words of faith. May he watch over us and protect us always.
:: PRAYER FOR SANCTIFICATION
Almighty and merciful God, you exalt the humble to do great things. We beseech you to honor with the title of Saint, your humble and faithful servant, Blessed Giacomo, so that in your church which is the universal sacrament of salvation, we may have a shining example that will teach and encourage us to recognize you in our brothers and sisters and to love you evermore. Amen
Plans are underway for the enlargement of the Church of Beato Giacomo in Bitetto in preparation for his Sanctification. It is a big undertaking and our Society is playing an integral part in helping to raise the funds necessary to realize the completion of this project. The Society of Beato Giacomo urges all devotees to help with the fundraising so that a new and larger church will be ready to receive and accommodate all the faithful who are already arriving, in large groups, by car, and by bus. Through our prayers and through our donations, we can all feel that we had a part in all of the plans and preparations for Sanctification of our Patron, Beato Giacomo. We ask all Bitettesi and their families to make a donation of $1,000.00 per family. You can make your checks payable to:
SMS BITETTO BEATO GIACOMO
3414 AVENUE N, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK 11234
by A DeNino |
