An intervention of our Lady of Loreto
to the origin of Incurabili Hospital of Naples:
The history of Venerable Maria Longo - I
Alfredo Marranzini s.j. - [Translated by Antonella Nappo]
An intervention of our Lady of Loreto The history of Venerable Maria Longo - I Alfredo Marranzini s.j. - [Translated by Antonella Nappo] | |
and Monsignor Ercolano Marini, by Egidio Ridolfo s.j. |
A letter of Saint Joseph Moscati -- Maria Longo pilgrim in Loreto in 1516 -- The miraculous recovery -- Return to Naples and foundation of the "Incurabili" Hospital -- A compelling example -- Maria Longo founder of Capuchin Clarisse Sisters -- Joseph Moscati at the Incurabili Hospital - The hospital as a shrine and a vocational training field -- Maria Longo and Joseph Moscati -- Saint Joseph Moscati pilgrim in Loreto -- A prayer to Our Lady of Loreto
A letter of Saint Joseph Moscati
Saint Joseph Moscati was a doctor and a researcher at the Incurabili Hospital of Naples, from his university degree - 1904 – to his death, on April 12th, 1927 (when he was 47).
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(1880-1927) |
He was just named Manager of III Men Ward when he wrote to the President of Board of Directors Giuseppe D’Andrea. It was July 26th 1919 and he told about the origin of his interest in this place of suffering and charity:
"When I was a boy [Moscati’s family lived in via S. Teresa al Museo 83, in that period] I looked with interest to the Incurabili hospital as my father showed me that far from the house terrace. It inspired me pity feelings for the pain without name, calmed in those walls. A beneficial dismay took me and I started to think about the frailty of all the things, and the illusions passed, as falling flowers of the orange groves surrounding me.
Then I was completely fallen in my starting literary studies, and I did not suspect or dream that, a day, in that white building, to whose large windows patients were hardly visible, as white ghosts, I would have held the supreme clinical degree. A lot of memories, the dearest ones blowing up me the heart, dragging me to the lips words of thanks, of rightful thankfulness, no bureaucratic at all.
I will try, with the God help, with my minimal strengths, to deserve your complete trust, and to collaborate to the economic reconstruction of the old Neapolitan hospitals, so well deserving in term of charity and culture, and nowadays so poor." (1).
In 1923, atChristmas, Moscati confided to Professor Francesco Pentimalli: "You know how much the resurrection of Neapolitan Hospitals is important for me as I devoted my youth and health to that. And I know that God does not allow to the wickedness of men to destroy good and beautiful things" (2).
When he was regular assistant in1911, he intended to "deserve the trust received... driven by that spirit of charity and unselfishness that, as always, was born in a gentle heart of a woman, Maria Longo, and inspired the pious Institution. It speaks to everybody lying in a bed of pain respecting the tradition and encouraging to the sacrifice... " (3).
Maria Longo pilgrim in Loreto on June 1516
We cannot speak about the Incurabili Hospital without mentioning the name of Maria Lorenza Longo, who was its far-off promoter and founder, and the name of Joseph Moscati, who – during our century - was physician there for about twenty years by doing his job with care, a very deep competence and a spirit of heroic love.
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in the background |
The Catalan and noble Lorenza Requenses, was born near Barcellona in 1463. Her husband was the Royal advisor Giovanni Longo married in 1483.In 1488 she was suffering from a serious rheumatoid arthritis that kept her from moving. Even so, her mental faculties were intact and maybe the disease powered her psychophysical activities. She came in Naples with her husband on November the 1st, 1506as a member of Ferdinand III the Catholic’s suite. When her Spanish noble husband died in 1509 she was 46.
The year after Pope Julius IIgranted many indulgences to contribute to the construction of Saint Peter’s basilica, and granted also jubilee privileges to the Holy House of Loreto.Lorenza Longo, even if she was ill, decided to go to Rome and after that to the famous shrine in the region Marche, to pray for her recovery.
Come in Loreto with her brother-in-law Gerardo De Omes on June 5th or 6th, 1516, she made a vow: if she had got the recovery she would have spent her existence by doing works of charity, to the service of the sick people.
The miraculous recovery
Father Agostino Falanga, describes the miraculous recovery in his book dedicated to the Venerable Maria Lorenza Longo:
"Maria LongoMaria Longo realised an old dream: to visit Loreto. The shrine was very famous at that time and so many pilgrims came there from everywhere driven by the desire to venerate the Holy House: miracles kindled their faith. The pious woman had heard about that and, as she was a believer, felt she had to trust in God; the desire became a purpose, and her sons encouraged her.
Few years before, under the reign of Alexander VI, the Holy Jubilee Year (1500) was celebrated but she was paralytic in Spain and she could not gratify her desire.
Now, Pope Julius II had started the building of the new basilica of saint Peter, granting many indulgences. He had also given jubilee privileges to the Holy House of Loreto. […]
So Maria Longo, arranged her journey, left Spain with her daughter Speranza and her son-in-law […]. During the way, she suffered very much and she was obliged to stop many times; probably they followed this itinerary: Capua, Cassino, Avezzano and Pescara.
Finally, she arrived in Loreto. It was very late but she did not want to have a rest. On the contrary, she immediately went to the shrine. She entered on a litter with her mind in turmoil.
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kept in the famous shrine. |
She was so happy to be in that holy place: she prayed the Virgin with her hands joined and bent head. Her first thought was to ask for the Holy Mass but it was late; the priests had still celebrated; she was resigned and kept on praying. Suddenly a pious pilgrim priest appeared and he offered himself to celebrate Mass. All the pilgrims were very happy.
He was handsome, dignified and solemn; he wore paraments and celebrated with a great participation from the altar in the Holy Chapel; he read the Evangelical story of the paralytic cured thanks to an order of Jesus: "I tell you: stand up, take your bed and go home" (Marco 2,11)At the end of the story he said, "Thank heaven".
In that moment the woman felt a tremor; her body seemed to come to a new life. At the end of the Mass, she was healthy, light, completely recovered: it was on June 5th or 6th, 1516.
She could scarcely believe her eyes; she was moved and wept with emotion; then, she gradually went to the altar for showing all her gratitude and thanking for the miraculous recovery; she did not stagger and her feet were steady.
She looked for the priest who had celebrated Mass because she wanted thank him but he was disappeared; so, she offered all she had to the Shrine: money and many gifts with all her gratitude.
It was a miracle! After so many years of paralysis, unable to stand up, now she could move by herself. Prostrated before the Virgin, she continually said "thank you" and praised God. Then, she wants to take a second name to remember the extraordinary experience. The name was:"Maria Laurenzia".
The fame of this event spread throughout the region, and the woman met many people coming from everywhere during the days she stayed in Loreto. Father Bellintani says: "She stayed in Loreto some days after the miracle, and she felt a new fervent spirit for serving God in a more perfect way..." (Alençon-Bellintani, p.19)..
She met in Loreto the Duke Andrea Di Capua, from Naples. When he saw the Venerable Longo and her miraculous recovery, he organized a big feast. He was the leader of Neapolitan troops for the League of Cambrai. Besides, he was married with Maria De Ajerba, a Longo’s friend.
The humble pilgrim got her physical and spiritual strength in the shrine of Loreto; her gratitude was an ecstasy of love, and it was so easy to take the decision to spend, starting from that moment, her life by doing good and charitable works. Before the Virgin she put the habit of Franciscan Third Order , on, to express her rebirth, the beginning of a new adventure of her life. She left the sweet Virgin with these purposes, bringing with her the everlasting memory of the supernatural gift she had received".
(Father Agostino Falanga O.F.M.Capp.: La Venerabile Maria Lorenza Longo, fondatrice dell'Ospedale "Incurabili" e delle Monache Cappuccine in Naples, 1463-1542, Laurenziana, Napoli 1973, pp.20-22.)
Return to Naples and foundation of the "Incurabili" hospital
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at the Incurabili hospital. |
Very soon, she wanted to extend her assistance and, encouraged by Ettore Vernazza, a notary from Genoa, and by her confessor, Father Girolamo from Monopoli,a Dominican friar, she got the idea to build a new hospital between the church of Sainte Patricia and the door of Saint Gennaro, not far from the hill named "Capo Napoli", where about one thousand years before, in V century, the first Neapolitan “hospital” was born thanks to Saint Aniello.
On February 10th 1520 houses and gardens were bought on that hill and the viceroy Ramon from Cardona, a friend and a relative of Maria Longo, laid the foundation stone in April. So, it started in Naples the building of the most important place of charity.
When Maria Longo worked out all her possessions, she started begging with the "White Brothers of Justice" (4) and the Neapolitan people, aristocrats and plebeian, generously contributed to finish works. That’s why the hospital complex and the annexed church were named Sainte Maria del Popolo degli Incurabili. This is the official name of the Hospital.
After two years only, the Hospital was completed and on March 23rd 1522 Maria Longo transferred there the patients of the old Saint Nicola hospital, which had to be pulled down for the Maschio Angioino’s enlargement.
Marcello Gazzella, a judge, and Gian Pietro Carafa, the Bishop of Chieti (then Archbishop of Naples and Pope Paul IV.), both from Naples, helped Maria Longo by getting privileges for the Hospital. They were in Rome and got the support of Popes Leone X, Adriano VI and Clemente VII who approved the statute by a bull (Ex supernae dispositionis) on December 11th 1523.
Particularly, in "Nuper pro parte vestra", a breve by Leone X dated March 11th 1519, there is a definition of "incurabili" : that is to say, those patients in need of hospitalisation who could not be cured at home.
The first foundation included the Hospital and the Church of Sainte Maria del Popolo, the seat of the Confraternity of Governors. Later on, we have the seat of Whites (1524), the house of Maria Longo (1526), the "Shelter of repentant women" (1526) and finally a monastery of "Reformed sisters" (1531-1536). The Shelter of repentant women was born as a natural development of the Hospital, to give hospitality to the unlucky women living in the streets in order to help and rehabilitate them.
The Church of Sainte Maria del Popolo, started on May the 1st 1520, was inaugurated on May the 1st 1522.Many famous artists such as Belisario Corenzio, Sansovino, De Mura, Ribera, Santafede, Francesco Solimena, Senese and G.B.De Rossi contributed to illustrate that.
The imposing lines of the building reveal the spirit of the time: a stately portal made of vesuvian “piperno” opens the entry to the vast courtyard; starting from here there are staircases with flights, harmonizing with the architectural whole and leading to the wards. Cloisters, gardens, fountains gladden the place. So the "Holy Royal House of Incurabili" was founded for curing the physical, moral and religious health of the people.
This monument of faith and charity started being the heart of the city and very soon it became a compelling example. Amongst all the legacies we have to remember the most important one: a gentleman, Ferrante Bucca, gave 1.000 ducats to realise a branch of the Hospital in Torre del Greco.
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the big portal made of vesuvian “piperno”. |
Thanks to him, it was realised a hospital and a church under the name of Sainte Maria della Misericordia. All convalescent people and patients suffering from tuberculosis, hydrops went there as the healthiness of the place was considered an important factor to cure them.
About four centuries after, the young Joseph Moscati as a physician of Sainte Maria del Popolo degli Incurabili, went to the branch of Torre del Greco for saving many disabled people menaced by the Vesuvius eruption. Moscati saved all the patients of the hospital, just before the collapse of the roof.
Many other branches were built such as the hospital in Agnano to cure bronchopathies (patients took advantage of sulphurous vapours in spring), and the hospital in Ischia for the balneotherapy, sand baths and stoves in summer.
The Incurabili Hospital grew richer during the second half of the eighteenth century thanks to a monumental Pharmacy, a true artistic gem built for preparing medicines and relieving the sufferings of patients and poor of Naples. Nowadays we can admire in the magnificent premises more than six hundred vases made of majolica from Abruzzi, kept in marvellous shelves. They represent landscapes, agricultural scenes, mythological allegories and biblical figures. They were realised by the famous artist Donato Massa and decorated by Lorenzo Salandra.
They were produced in Castelli (Teramo) and they are very fine. All those who have the fortune to admire them are really amazed and feel in their souls the biblical motto of Siracide: "God has created medicaments from the hearth, the sensible man does not despise them. […] Thanks to them, a physician can cure his patients and eliminate the pain while the chemist prepares the mixtures" (38.4.7).
Maria Longo founder of Capuchin Clarisse Sisters
Maria Lorenza Longo actively looked after the '"Opera Pia degli Incurabili". It was expanding day by day and she was its rector for twelve years. When her health started declining, she understood it was necessary to hand over her charge. Fortunately she met Saint Gaetano Thiene, who encouraged her to found a monastery where she could live with her disciples of the Third Order.
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Capuchin Clarisse sister |
Saint Gaetano helped her during this new phase, and on February19th 1535 got the “Foundation Bull” from the Holy Seat for the realisation of a new religious institution, the "Capuchin Clarisse Sisters". On August 1535 Maria Longo and her disciples went to the monastery of Our Lady of Graces. Let us listen Father Agostino Falanga:
"That day she left the Incurabili Hospital; she left her hospital, place of all her virtues… She went away but her heart stayed there. She had been a mother, a mother of a family, a mother of the poor, now God wanted she were a mother of a beautiful religious family from which so many gems would be born, for example Saint Veronica Giuliani" (Father Agostino Falanga, op.cit., p.73).
So many young women wanted to be part of the Capuchin Clarisse Sisters. Maria Longo "accepted them but… When it was not possible to go on she was obliged to renounce to the others. They were thirty-three." (Father Agostino Falanga op.cit., p.78). That’s why this monastery was called "of 33".
Maria Lorenza Longo lived the rest of her life with a great spiritual intensity by leading the new institution very wisely. In 1542 her health got worse, so she decided to renounce to her charge (she was the Abbess). However, she went on having a big spiritual influence towards her sisters. She died when she was 79, on December 21st 1542.
Note:
1. Alfredo Marranzini s.j., Giuseppe Moscati modello del laico cristiano di oggi, Rome, 1989, pp.110-111.
2. Ivi, p.118.
3. Letter to V.A.Berardi, President of Board of directors, September 12th, 1912, in Marranzini,op. cit., p.102.
4. TheCompagnia dei Bianchi della Giustizia was founded by Saint Giacomo della Marca in 1430 for looking after the sentenced to death.
A letter of Saint Joseph Moscati -- Maria Longo pilgrim in Loreto in 1516 -- The miraculous recovery -- Return to Naples and foundation of the "Incurabili" Hospital -- A compelling example -- Maria Longo founder of Capuchin Clarisse Sisters -- Joseph Moscati at the Incurabili Hospital - The hospital as a shrine and a vocational training field -- Maria Longo and Joseph Moscati -- Saint Joseph Moscati pilgrim in Loreto -- A prayer to Our Lady of Loreto
Part II |
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