On Monday, March 31, 2025, at 7:30 p.m., a new book entitled “A Bocca Aperta. Vita di San Giuseppe da Copertino” [Open-Mouthed: The Life of St. Joseph of Copertino] was presented. The book was written by Friar Giovanni M. IASI of the Italian Province of St. Joseph of Cupertino (Abruzzo-Molise-Puglia). It was published by Edizioni Esperidi Publishing House in Monteroni di Lecce, Italy. The book presentation itself took place at the Santa Famiglia Church in Copertino, Italy.
The book presentation began with greetings from the hosting Pastor, Father Quintino VENNERI; from Maverick D’ADAMO, a councilmember of the city of Copertino; from Friar Matteo ORNELLI, the Guardian of the San Giuseppe da Copertino Friary in Copertino, and from Friar Daniele M. MAIKORANO, the Minister Provincial of the Italian Province of St. Joseph of Cupertino. This was followed by a speech from Friar Massimo VEDOVA, a professor of spirituality at the Antonianum Pontifical University as well as the Pontifical Theological Faculty of St Bonaventure in Rome. The Most Reverend Giuseppe PIEMONTESE, Bishop Emeritus of Terni-Narni-Amelia, Italy, also gave a speech. The evening was moderated by Professor Cosimo ESPOSITO, with the publisher, Claudio MARTINO, also in attendance.
In his new biography of the “Flying Saint,” the author writes in diary form in order to tell the marvelous and immensely rich story of the Conventual friar from Copertino, who is the namesake of the newest Province of the Order. The Province was formed by the union of the Provinces of Abruzzo-Molise and Puglia. The book is written in an engaging style and is pleasant to read. It is also well documented with references to the most reliable historiographical sources.
The work is divided into four sections, each reflecting a major phase in the unique life of St. Joseph: Memories of Copertino (1603-1638), Memories of Naples and Rome (1638-1639), Memories of Assisi (1639-1653), and Memories of the Marches (1653-1663).
The author, Friar Giovanni, has carried out many activities in his long years of religious life, from youth and vocation ministry to parish ministry and in service to the shrines of Copertino and Lucera in the Province. From a young age, he has always been passionate about writing. This passion led him not only to write the book currently being presented, but also to author a biography of another saint of the Order from Puglia, “Un Maestro e un Amico. San Francesco Antonio Fasani (1681-1742),”[ A Teacher and a Friend: St. Francis Anthony Fasani (1681-1742)] published in 2012, by LDC Publishing House in Turin, Italy.
Friar Massimo Antonio RUGGIERO
