This past September, our friend Angelo left us, and it has brought me such grief. I prayed to the Lord and to Mary at his funeral for him and his family. Remembering him causes me great pain.
Paola
What remains with me about Angelo is his simplicity, the way he sang, his manner of being. He arrived, and with his gesture he truly "arrived."
Graziella
When someone leaves us, the emptiness is tangible. Something tears.
Angelo went so suddenly that he left us stunned, disbelieving.
And we miss him terribly.
He was someone who could never go unnoticed!
A man full of gifts: a singer, a dancer, a perfect gentleman, a determined "Mr. No!", an actor, and who knows what else!
Yet I think what will stay with us most is the image of an embrace.
The tender embrace of a son in his mother's arms.
Monica
Someone once said that "the most important people don't come looking for you—life introduces them to you."
And that's exactly how it was. In just a few hours of vacation together, these young people and their stories, their conversations, their work experiences, their faith, their warmth became important to me. Among these faces and names, Angelo, who left a mark and a profound presence—even though I didn't get to know him better.
Sonia
I gave Angelo another name, despite his 42 years: "the boy with the three G's"—Gifted, Generous, Gentle. And what can I say of his mother Rosa? Certainly, until the end, her only thought was Angelo.
I echo Father Carlo Vecchiato (OL no. 143): even if mothers and their children with disabilities will never be officially recognized as saints, they are saints to Jesus.
Dalma
Angelo was a great friend! He often spoke to me about his mother Rosa, telling me how good and kind she was and how much they loved each other. Angelo was such a likeable young man, and whenever he saw us, he always stopped to chat for a while.
Paolo and Miranda
You were wonderful at the "good deed" gathering in May. You'd walk me home with a friend of yours, and you'd stay at the door until I was inside, making sure I was safe in my own house.
Mariella
Dear Angelo... I remember when I'd see you carrying the bread and wine during Mass in church. You did it with such seriousness.
Leda
He was a friend to everyone, always greeting people. When I stop and think of him, I feel his absence. Angelo had his place in our community of Conselve. Now that he's gone, I think we all feel a little more alone.
Silvana
He left a great emptiness. I want to remember him from our last vacation together in the mountains last summer—his warmth, his jokes, his longing to be near his dear Milena. He made us smile and laugh. He will be sorely missed in our Fede e Luce community, Sunbeams, alongside my dear Nicola, Maria Elena, Claudio, and all the others.
AnnaMaria
In every situation you showed your joy of LIVING. You were a dear FRIEND to me. What struck me was the gesture with which you gave your own LIFE to save that of your MOTHER. You were a WARRIOR until the end. I hope that your LOVE for those near you becomes a MODEL for us to follow on our own paths.
Cinzia
It was such difficult news not to have our dear Angelo with us anymore.
When he saw me, he was very affectionate. We cared for each other. His thoughtful and cheerful gestures surprised me. I miss him very much.
Samuele
He often sought refuge in the church and would sit in quiet prayer, praying and moved to tears. He was a sunny young man, a powerful voice in karaoke. He spoke of marriage with enthusiasm.
Loris, Mirella, and Diego
He often told us about his mother and his brothers. He wanted to be independent in getting around, even though his family worried. He loved to draw, to write, and above all to sing. He loved photographs of every event. He came to my house often, and we'd smile when he'd see my father without his wedding ring and ask him if he had faithfulness. He loved to joke with anyone who would let him.
Susanna
In the first days of September we were all still together, we Sunbeams, at the Patronato gathering eating for the Conselve fair. Everyone, and especially Angelo, was so happy to meet little Lorenzo, the son of Olga and Roberto (in the photo on the right). Rather than words, he often spoke through intense looks that clearly showed his feelings, tender caresses and strong embraces to show us his richness of heart and his faithfulness, his humble listening as he asked us questions that went far deeper than what appeared on the surface, his laughter and his "earnest" singing—the way someone sings when they truly live and rejoice in the simplicity of what life offers.
His journey of faith, his questions, his deepening study of Scripture, his reflection, his seeking refuge in the church before the Lord and being moved often to tears, his particular passion for the crucifix—in his searching and in his simple, humble heart, he had found the source of the Greatest Love.
Cesarina
Angelo, you are in heaven and watching over our Sunbeams community so we don't forget what you taught us: to love life with a smile. Thank you! We will walk this path as you showed us.
Anicetto