INTRODUCTION TO BOOKLET ON FR. ALESSIO

Fr. Alessio Parente O.F.M. Cap., was an exceptional man in many ways. To attempt to collect the memories he left us is an impossible task. However, that should not discourage us from trying to put something together in his memory. To collect some memories, to review old photos, to read the recollections of others, all of this is so much better than sitting in pain within the void left by his absence.

Available now
from Office
¤4.00
  Fr. Alessio was a real friend, and he was very loyal and very attentive to his friends. There are many references to his gift of friendship, and, on the occasion of his Month’s Mind Mass, Fr. Gerardo chose this as one of the three themes he spoke about, as he remembered Fr. Alessio. Those who had the honour and privilege of meeting him over the years, especially on his ‘home ground’ of the English-speaking Office in San Giovanni, will have many and happy memories of his hospitality, his patience, and his ability to be completely committed to his work. His Office was an oasis for many, and it never ceased to amaze me how he could possibly satisfy the many who sought his attention to listen to their story, or to share their problems. In him we saw a glimpse of the demands made on his beloved mentor, the Blessed Padre Pio.
    Blessed Padre Pio was his mission in life. Promoting the teaching and lessons of the Padre, which, of course, was the Gospel of Jesus as preached and practised by this extraordinary mystic of our time, that was Fr. Alessio’s very reason for living. Distance or time were no object, if it presented him with an opportunity to make the Blessed Padre better known, and his message better understood. By the time of Padre Pio’s Beatification, Fr. Alessio had run out of steam, and the sight of his emaciated body brought tears to the eyes of those who loved him. His work was done. In the words of Fr. Gerado, at Fr. Alessio’s Months Mind Mass, “Padre Alessio desired very much to see Padre Pio’s glorification. Here on earth, he was able to assist at his Beatification. From heaven, he will assist at his Canonisation".
    This booklet is but a token of thanks from some of his many friends. When it appears, I am sure there will be many who wished they had been given the opportunity to make their own personal contribution. The problem with this is that, like St. John, at the end of his gospel, we could say “And I suppose that if all the other things Jesus(Alessio) did were written down, the whole world could not contain the books.”(Jn.21-25).
   

I am truly grateful and honoured to be entrusted with collating and editing this booklet, and, on behalf of all who loved him, I say “Thank you, Alessio, for your love, friendship, and example. You told us many times that Blessed Padre Pio said he would stand at the gate of heaven until the last of his Spiritual Children had entered. I know he was waiting for yourself, and for Fr. Joseph Pius, and now we ask you to ensure that all three of you will be waiting for us.”

Fr. Jack Mc Ardle SS.CC. (EDITOR)

Read the review of the book on Fr Alessio. Just click on left