Saint Angelo of Acri

Life story

Luca Antonio Falcone was born on 19 October 1669 at Acri in Calabria and baptised the next day. His uncle, the priest Domenico Errico, taught him. In 1689, inspired by the preaching of Fr Antonio of Olivadi, he asked to join the Capuchins but left the novitiate twice. On the third attempt, on 12 November 1690, he began the novitiate at Belvedere Marittimo and took the name Angelo; he professed vows on 12 November 1691 and was ordained priest on 10 April 1700 at Cassano all'Ionio.

From 1702 until his death he travelled through Calabria and much of central Italy preaching Lenten sermons, retreats and popular missions and hearing confessions. Accounts say his first sermon in 1702 broke off when he lost his train of thought, after which he turned to a simple style. He was elected provincial superior of his Capuchin province.

He died on 30 October 1739 at the friary in Acri, at about seventy years of age. Popular accounts attribute many miracles to him, but only the miracles approved by the Church for his beatification and canonisation are on record. Leo XII beatified him in December 1825, and Pope Francis canonised him on 15 October 2017. His feast day is 30 October.

Works and witness

• Began his third and lasting Capuchin novitiate on 12 November 1690
• Ordained priest on 10 April 1700
• Preached Lenten sermons, retreats and missions across Calabria from 1702
• Served for a time as Capuchin provincial minister
• Beatified in 1825 and canonised in 2017

Saints from the same country

Saint Agnes, Saint Lawrence, Saint Cecilia, Saint Sebastian

References

• Capuchin Friars (OFM Cap): 'Canonization of Blessed Angelo d'Acri, 15 October 2017', ofmcap.org
• CapDox (Capuchin Friars, Australia): 'Saint Angelo d'Acri', capdox.capuchin.org.au
• Capuchin Franciscans (capuchin.org): 'Blessed Angelo of Acri, Religious and Priest, 1669-1739'

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.