“I belong to the Blessed Virgin from head to toe.”
Angiolino grew up in an agricultural family and led a simple life. He was a good student, would serve Mass frequently and was the admiration of his parish priest. “In reality,” said his Mother, “Angiolino never dreamt of becoming a priest. Instead he always desired with his whole heart to become a Silent Worker of the Cross.”
Then Angiolino started having pain and upon examination, he was diagnosed with an incurable bone cancer that necessitated the amputation of his right leg. Saving souls and redeeming sinners became the goals of his days. Angiolino was attracted to the Apostolate of the Suffering because he and Blessed Novarese, our Founder, were both admirers of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Angiolino had many gifts; but most of all, that of comforting people and giving them peace: “These tears are precious. Why not offer them to the Blessed Virgin?She accepts everything.”, he would say. Throughout his short life, he was literally put on the cross suffering terrible pain. At one point, Angiolino said: “Up till now, I have asked to recover. From this moment on, I will ask for the grace to make me a saint.”
Hearing these words, Blessed Novarese gave Angiolino a great gift: to become a Silent Worker of the Cross as a child. In fact, Angiolino was a precious gift for us all. His will to live and his resignation to God’s will are an inspiration. He remains a symbol contrasting the insidious temptations of modern society. He is a vibrant part of God’s vineyard, totally immersed in God’s love. The goodness he gave to others will always be remembered by those who met him.
For today’s youth, Angiolino is an excellent example that every season of life has that enormous potential to fulfill God’s plan and to live in His grace. To mothers and fathers, his story is a reminder that nothing is impossible with God and that no gift is more precious than that of faith. To everyone, it teaches that each part of suffering is an appeal to God’s forgiveness as seen on the Cross. It is the person’s total abandonment to Christ.
Angilino passed away in January, 1963.
