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On November 15, Fr. Carmelo de Palma was officially beatified by the Catholic Church in a ceremony in Bari, Italy.
Pope Leo XIV praised Palma's life during his Angelus following the beatification:
Yesterday, in Bari, Carmelo De Palma was beatified. He was a diocesan priest who died in 1961 after a life generously spent in the ministry of Confession and spiritual accompaniment. May his witness inspire priests to give themselves unreservedly to the service of God’s holy people.
Palma's beatification was authorized after the miraculous healing of a Benedictine nun from the monastery of Santa Scolastica in Bari was attributed to his intercession.
Who is Blessed Carmelo de Palma?
Born in 1876, Palma was left an orphan very young. He entered seminary at the age of 10 in Bari. He was ordained a priest in Naples and eventually appointed to the Basilica of S. Nicola in Bari.
This is a famous church of Bari, as St. Nicholas of Bari is the future Santa Claus; his relics rest in Bari.
Father Palma was faithful to his duties at the church, especially the ministry of confession. Later on he was appointed a spiritual director to the Benedictine nuns of Santa Scolastica, as well as of the Oblates of Saint Benedict.
His life was nourished by the Eucharist and was devoted to fulfilling God's will for his life:
My aspiration is only one: to always carry out the will of God.
Palma was called a "hero of the confessional," for his constant availability to everyone, even when his health began to worsen toward the end of his life.
He also ministered to those involved with Catholic Action and was the spiritual director to Servant of God Giovanni Modugno, a well-known educator in Italy.
Palma died on August 24, 1961, and has been highly revered by many, especially in Bari, Italy. His simple priesthood, dedicated to serving the people, highlights the power of ordinary priestly holiness, following God's will in a simple way.
