Angelico Pittavino

After his ordination, Father Angelico taught philosophy and dogmatic theology to young Capuchins for fifteen years in the convents of Busca, Villafranca, and at the Monte dei Cappuccini in Turin. In 1902, he was appointed vicar of the parish of Busca. In 1908, at only 33 years old, he was elected provincial minister of the Capuchins of Piedmont, a position he held with wisdom and dedication for three years.

However, his dearest dream remained the mission. On February 2, 1914, he embarked for East Africa. He spent nearly thirty years in Eritrea and Ethiopia.

In Eritrea (1914-1937), he settled in Keren (Cheren) to evangelize the Bilen people. There, he assumed the duties of director of the seminary, superior of the district, and director of an orphanage housing up to one hundred children. He founded numerous mission stations (including that of Mehelab in 1925), schools, and medical dispensaries. His tireless dedication and versatility earned him the nicknames "saint of the Bogos" and "frate tuttofare" (the brother who does everything), as he did not hesitate to perform the humblest manual labor, from masonry to carpentry. At the same time, he wrote and published several treatises on dogmatic and moral theology for use in the missions.

In 1937, he was transferred to Ethiopia. He was appointed vicar general of the apostolic vicariate of Harar, under the direction of his confrere Bishop Leone Ossola, and taught at the local seminary. He then became rector of the pro-cathedral of Addis Ababa. During the Second World War, following the British occupation, he was arrested in 1942 and interned in the Mandera concentration camp (British Somaliland). Despite the scorching heat and deprivations, he kept his heavy Capuchin habit and provided constant spiritual and moral support to his fellow captives.

Expelled from Ethiopia for political reasons in January 1943, he returned to Italy. He retired to the convent of Bra (Cuneo), known as "La Rocca" (church of Santa Maria degli Angeli). He spent the last ten years of his life there, dedicating himself to prayer, preaching, teaching at the seraphic seminary, and above all to the ministry of confession, welcoming many faithful. Afflicted by a long and painful illness that he bore with great serenity, he died on January 15, 1953, in Bra.

The reputation for holiness of Father Angelico da None, already solid during his lifetime both in Africa and in Italy, prompted the Capuchins of Piedmont to request the opening of his cause for beatification. This was officially introduced in 1965-1966. The informative diocesan processes took place between 1966 and 1976 in Turin and Asmara (Eritrea). After the examination of his writings and the validation of the cognitive process, the Positio on his heroic virtues was published in 1987.

On March 7, 1992, Pope John Paul II authorized the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to promulgate the decree recognizing the heroic nature of the virtues of Matteo Pittavino (Angelico da None), thereby conferring upon him the title of Venerable. His cause is currently awaiting the recognition of a miracle attributed to his intercession to pave the way for his beatification.

The spirituality of the Venerable Angelico da None is deeply rooted in the Franciscan charism: evangelical poverty, joyful humility, and service to the least among us. He is characterized by an intense love for the Eucharist, a tender devotion to the Virgin Mary, and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. His missionary style was based on inculturation, seeking to live as closely as possible to local populations and to promote indigenous vocations (he was notably the spiritual director of the Venerable Felice Maria Ghebreamlak). Today, his memory remains alive in Bra, where his mortal remains are venerated in the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, as well as in his hometown of None and among the Christian communities of Eritrea and Ethiopia.