On the morning of March 26, 2021, after a long period of illness, Fr. Michele Cascio Ingurgio, TOR died at the Civic Hospital of Palermo.
Fr. Michele Cascio Ingurgio was born on April 9, 1939 in Chiusa Sclafani (PA) and,having felt the vocation of special consecration;he entered the Seraphic Seminary of Calvaruso on September 15, 1951 and then continued his high school studies in Sciacca in our convent of Giglio. He made his temporary profession in Calvaruso on October 4, 1959 and three years after that, solemn vows in Sciacca in the Church of Santa Maria del Giglio. He completed his high school and theological studies in Rome residing in our convent of S. Paolo alla Regola and obtained a baccalaureate in theology at the pontifical Gregorian University. On February 26, 1966, he was ordained a priest by the Archbishop of Monreale, Corrado Mingo and assigned in the same year to the Seraphic seminary of Calvaruso as prefect of discipline, teacher of literature and subsequently vice-master of novices and econome. He carried out his ministry between Corleone (1972-1992; 1996-2004) and Palermo (1993-1996; 2004-2021). He exercised responsibly the religious and pastoral services of local minister and treasurer as well as parish priest and assistant to the OFS. He taught religion in some state schools. He loved to improve and elaborate his knowledge of the Word of God that so as to break it open and offer it to the faithful who appreciated his homilies. Everywhere he found himself he was frequently requested, especially by women religious communities, as confessor and spiritual guide.
He was a jovial friar, always smiling, affable and friendly with everyone. As long as health permitted him, he spent entire mornings in church for the reception of the faithful and the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. With great patience he was able to accept the setbacks, not least of which was a long illness. Although it progressively forced him to abandon pastoral care, it never deprived him of that healthy optimism that characterized him to the end. The funeral was held March 29, 2021 by the Minister Provincial, Fr. Massimo Cucinotta in Palermo in our church of S. Anna la Misericordia in the presence of many brothers, priests and faithful.
His mortal remains rest in the chapel of the friars in the cemetery of the city of Sciacca (AG) waiting for the coming of the Lord.