On February 26, 2024, at 3:00 pm, the soul of the brother entered into eternal life at the Umberto I hospital in Syracuse.
ANTONIO PANZICA, TOR
He was born in Corleone (PA) on June 22, 1941 to Vincenzo and Giacalone Giuseppina. He entered the Order at the S. Maria del Giglio College in Sciacca on October 7, 1954, where he attended middle and high school studies. He began the Novitiate on October 3, 1959 in Calvaruso where he took temporary vows on October 4, 1960. After three years, he made his solemn profession on October 4, 1963. He completed his high school studies in Calvaruso and his theological studies in Spain in Palma de Mallorca. He was ordained priest in the Cathedral of Palermo on December 23, 1967.
In the session of the Definitory of June 27, 1968 he was assigned to the Calvaruso house as a teacher. In the Provincial Congregation of 1969, he was transferred to Agnano where he held the office of Parish Priest. In 1972, he was elected Provincial Definitor and appointed “Vocations Promoter”. He lived in the convents of Messina, S. Lucia del Mela and Corleone. In September 1974, he was sent to Calvaruso to take care of the “vocational group”. In 1976, he was appointed bursar of the Calvaruso Convent and parish priest of S. Andrea and Rapano. In the 1980 Congregation, he was reconfirmed as bursar and parish priest. On September 10, 1980, he welcomed with joy and enthusiasm the mission in the Mazzarona district; to begin, without any means, the work of evangelization in a peripheral area of the city, at risk and on the border. There, over time the Church became a irreplaceable point of reference for everyone. He then began with great pastoral zeal, assisted by the brothers of the S. Maria college, to form the parish community. On April 19, 1981, by decree of the Bishop of Syracuse, Calogero Lauricella, the Parish of San Corrado Confalonieri Lauricella was canonically erected and on May 1, Fr. Antonio was appointed first Parish Priest, carrying out this service until the day of his death. For years he was responsible for the Province’s information periodical and member of the commission for ongoing formation. We owe him several publications, including many poems through which shines through a sensitive soul capable of wonder and contemplation shines. In 1996, he was appointed 1st Superior of the S. Corrado Confalonieri Community of Syracuse. In 2000, he was appointed trainer of young postulants and bursar. In 2004, he was elected 3rd provincial Definitor and was confirmed in the offices of Parish Priest and local Minister. In 2008, he was elected Provincial Vicar and was confirmed in the offices already held. For years he was also Regional Assistant of the SFO.
In his pastoral ministry he worked through catechesis and evangelization to implement the conciliar indications, shaping in the holy people of God the awareness of being a family in which everyone could feel at home. Within a few years, various entertainment and volunteer groups, brotherhoods and ecclesial movements were born. Other organizations were founded by him and recognized by the ecclesiastical authority such as the fraternity of the “Sisters of St. Elizabeth” (consecrated). Intuitive and attentive to the multiple needs of the people who live in the neighborhood in large numbers, he worked to alleviate the various hardships, aware that true and authentic evangelization can be achieved through a careful and discreet service of charity. As a worthy son of St. Francis, he lived his priestly service according to the Franciscan charism and style.
There were a thousand people who expressed condolences and closeness, extolling the beautiful qualities of Fr. Antonio.
The funeral was celebrated in the parish church of S. Corrado Confalonieri in Syracuse on February 28, 2024 by the Archbishop of Syracuse Francesco Lomanto in the presence of the Provincial Minister Fr. Calogero Favata, numerous brothers of the secular and regular clergy and many faithful.
His mortal remains rest in the cemetery of the city of Syracuse awaiting the coming of the Lord.