Giuseppe Morgera

On January 1, 1870, upon the recommendation of the sailors of Casamicciola, Giuseppe Morgera was appointed chaplain of the church of Santa Maria del Buon Consiglio (Saint Mary of Good Counsel), also known as the "sailors' church." He dedicated himself there with zeal to the apostolate, particularly among children and young people. Noting the distance to the parish church (then located in the Contrada Majo), he organized a catechism school and opened a free private school in his own home to educate poor children. Alongside his local ministry, Don Giuseppe became a highly sought-after preacher, extending his oratorical work beyond the island, notably to Naples, Gaeta, and Torre Annunziata. He also began writing spiritual and catechetical works, including a Life of Saint Joseph and a Life of Jesus Christ. On January 9, 1882, he was appointed vice-parish priest of Casamicciola to assist the pastor, Msgr. Carlo Mennella, who had just been appointed auxiliary bishop of Ischia while retaining his parish duties. The fate of Giuseppe Morgera changed on July 28, 1883, when a terrible earthquake almost entirely destroyed the town of Casamicciola, claiming more than 2,300 victims. Msgr. Carlo Mennella perished under the rubble. Don Giuseppe was himself buried under the ruins of the rectory, but he was pulled out alive, though seriously injured. Hospitalized in Naples until September 26, 1883, he begged to be allowed to return to his parishioners. Although lame and relying on a cane, he returned to Casamicciola and was appointed pastor of the devastated parish on December 15, 1883. From then on, he spent himself without counting the cost for the material and spiritual reconstruction of his community. Nicknamed the "holy pastor" (Parroco santo), he exhorted his fellow citizens not to sink into idleness or exclusive dependence on government aid, but to rebuild their lives through work and faith. He was the great promoter of the reconstruction of the parish church of Santa Maria Maddalena (Saint Mary Magdalene), the first stone of which was laid in 1894 by Bishop Msgr. Giuseppe Candido and which was inaugurated on May 31, 1896.

The life of Giuseppe Morgera was a constant testimony of heroic charity, evangelical poverty, and pastoral zeal. At his death, he left as his only material inheritance seventeen soldi. His reputation for holiness, already immense during his lifetime, continued to grow after his death. One year after his passing, the Bishop of Sant'Angelo dei Lombardi, Mgr. Giulio Tommasi, had an inscription engraved on his tomb testifying that a holy parish priest rested there. On November 13, 1966, his mortal remains were transferred from the communal cemetery to the left nave of the Santa Maria Maddalena parish church, which he had rebuilt, where they are still venerated by the faithful.

The cause for the beatification and canonization of Giuseppe Morgera was officially opened at the diocesan level on April 13, 1991, by the Bishop of Ischia, Msgr. Antonio Pagano. The diocesan phase of the inquiry concluded on December 15, 1991. The Congregation for the Causes of Saints issued the decree of validity for the diocesan inquiry on February 19, 1993. The Positio on his virtues was published in 1994/1995 and approved by the historical consultants on February 21, 1995. On April 23, 2002, Pope John Paul II authorized the promulgation of the decree recognizing the heroic nature of his virtues, thereby conferring upon him the title of Venerable. For his beatification to be pronounced, the official recognition of a miracle attributed to his intercession is required.

The spirituality of Giuseppe Morgera was deeply rooted in the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and devotion to the Virgin Mary, whom he loved to invoke under the title of Mother of Good Counsel. A prolific writer and catechist, he published numerous works for the religious instruction of the people, notably a Methodical Catechism of Christian Doctrine (1897) and manuals for First Communion preparation. His legacy is perpetuated not only through the memory of his dedication during the 1883 earthquake, but also through concrete works. His niece, Giuseppina Morgera, founded a retirement home in Casamicciola called "Villa Joseph," thus fulfilling the wish often expressed by the "holy priest" to establish a permanent house of charity for the poor and the elderly of his parish.