On September 12, 2023, the Province of St. Bernardine and St. Angelo in Italy (Abruzzo-Molise) celebrated the 90th birthday of Friar Mario FABRIZI. The event took place at the at the Sant’Antonio Friary in Pescara, Italy.
Friar Mario is the second oldest friar in the Province after the centenarian Friar Dionisio LATTANZI. Friar Mario’s birthday was celebrated in Franciscan simplicity in Pescara, where he is presently a member of the community. All of his community members were present, including the Minister Provincial, Friar Mauro DE FILIPPIS DELFICO; the Provincial Econom, Friar Fulvio PETTI; the Guardian, Friar Alfonso DI FRANCESCO; the Provincial Secretary, Friar Paride AMMIRATI; and a near contemporary of Friar Mario, Friar Francesco DI SALVATORE. Also present were the aspirants Charles and Daniele, along with Friar Bonaventura FEBBO, who formed a fraternal and inseparable bond of friendship and collaboration with Friar Mario.
Friar Mario was born on September 12, 1933, in Santa Reparata, a hamlet of Civitella del Tronto, Italy. He made his simple profession on July 25, 1954; his solemn profession on November 1, 1957; and was ordained to the priesthood on March 12, 1961. As soon as he was ordained a priest, he was appointed as the Rector of high school freshmen at the Collegio dei Fratini near Pescara. In January of 1963, he began missionary service in South Korea, having received the missionary cross from the then Minister Provincial, Friar Antonio PATELLI. Friar Mario was the first Custos of the General Custody of Korea. He served that same mission with zeal and faithfulness for fifty years. He returned to Italy only in 2018 for health reasons.
While a missionary in Korea, Friar Mario held various positions, including Associate Pastor in Tae yon dong Pusan (1963); Associate Pastor in Beom eo dong Daegu (1964); Pastor in Beom eo dong Daegu (1965-68); Pastor in Tae yon dong Pusan (1970); Custos and Guardian in Pusan; Orphanage Director; Pastor at the leper village in Oriucto (Pusan, 1971-81); Pastor in Kijang; Supervisor of the construction of a church (1982-84), etc.
The Province and all the friars thank Friar Mario for having given his whole life unreservedly to God and to building His Kingdom.
Friar Paride AMMIRATI, Provincial Secretary
