St Hannibal Centenary Celebrations
A 3 year celebration programme in honour of St. Hannibal was inaugurated on June 1, 1925 by his Rogationist order In anticipation of his centenary on June 1, 1927. All are invited to participate in the celebrations.
Blessings on this solemnity of the most Holy Trinity. The above video is taken in Messina ☝️ 16 May 2026 with the Cardinal, Rogationists Fathers, Daughters of Divine Zeal and the Faithful who celebrated in Messina only the commencement of St Hannibal 100 years centenary year on the 16 May 2026.
Jesus called St Hannibal into Heaven on 1 June 1927.
The rest of the world celebrate St Hannibal Feast Day in 1 June 2026 tomorrow which is why some of our St Hannibal Pilgrims will be in Oria, Italy tomorrow 1 June 2026 in the Rogationist Church & House where St Hannibal printed the Hours of the Passion.
Message from Pope Leo XIV
See Below for Google English translation of message:
Messaggio di Sua Santità Papa Leone XIV in occasione dell'inizio del Centenario del Transito di S. Annibale Maria Di Francia SECRETARIAT OF STATE No. 47409
To:
Rev. Fr. Bruno Rampazzo, R.C.J.,
Superior General of the Congregation of the Rogationists
Via Tuscolana, 167,
00182 Rome
On the occasion of the centenary of the passing of Saint Hannibal Mary Di Francia, Pope Leo XIV extends his warm greetings to the Rogationists, the Daughters of Divine Zeal, and the laity of the Rogate Family, as well as to all those participating in the commemorative events. The Supreme Pontiff joins in the shared thanksgiving to the Lord for having gifted the Church with such an exemplary figure—a man deeply in love with the Gospel and an apostle of charity. The Holy Father hopes that this significant anniversary will inspire, especially in those who share the Founder’s charism, a desire to experience the same fervor that animated him in bearing witness to the Word of salvation; while assuring them of his prayers, he gladly imparts the requested Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of abundant heavenly graces.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin,
Secretary of State to His Holiness
From the Vatican,
June 1, 2026
Teachings by Rogationist Priests
from Houses of the Resurrection of the Faith YouTube Channel
EARLY COLLABORATORS OF ST. HANNIBAL
and beloved friends of
Servant of God Luisa Piccarreta:-
1. Fr Pantaleone Palma rcj
Successor to St Hannibal as Superior General of Rogationist Fathers & Servant of God
Tomb in Sanctuario Sant’Antonio Di Padova, Via Annibale Maria Di Francai, 30 Oria, 72024 Italy
2. Mother Cristina Figura
Superior Mother of Daughters of Divine Zeal (Figlie Divino Zelo)
Luisa in the
HOUSE of the DIVINE WILL (IN CORATO)
On the very day of the opening, carrying holy Founder, the Superior General of the Daughters of Divine Zeal, Sister Cristina Figura [See Note Below] wanted Luisa Piccarreta to enter the Institute to live there permanently. She herself went to pick her up from her home in Via Ospedale Vecchio, together with some sisters of the Council and Sister Cecilia Colaianni, the superior of the newly established House. Luisa entered accompanied by Don Benedetto Calvi and was placed in a room adjoining the sacramental chapel: from there she could follow the celebration of Holy Mass and see clearly the altar and the tabernacle. Her sister Angelina was placed in a nearby room. out the intention of the Mother Cristina Figura In her Diary, Luisa recounts her emotions at the opening of the new religious House and her move there: «As this House was about to open, there were people, Sisters, little girls, a coming and going of everyone, all in movement. I felt very impressed, and my sweet Jesus, stirring within me, said to me: “My daughter, this group of people you see, all in movement for the opening of the House of my Divine Will, is a symbol of that group of people who were there when I wished to be born in Bethlehem... recognize in this group of people, of little girls and of Sisters, the beginning of the Kingdom of my Divine Will.”
[Note] Mother Cristina Figura (Caltagirone, Catania, 27 March 1886 – Taormina, Messina, 14 January 1943). See Profiles of the Deceased Sisters, Daughters of Divine Zeal, vol. 2, pp. 57-59. She was an assiduous and faithful collaborator of Father Palma in the organization of the Antonian Secretariats, Superior in various Houses, and Superior General of the Daughters of Divine Zeal from 1928 to 10 September 1932.
Sanctuario Sant’Antonio Di Padova, Via Annibale Maria Di Francai, 30 Oria, 72024 Italy
Holy Mass
at
St. Hannibal's tomb
Holy Mass is celebrated daily
Monday to Saturday
in Crypt of the Basilica of San Antonio in Messina
on the Altar above Saint Hannibal Di Francia’s entombed body.
No Mass celebrated in Crypt on Sundays
Mass Times
7.30 am Irish Time
8.30 am Rome Time
2.30 am Eastern Time
1.30 am Central Time
THE 17 YEARS
A short book about St. Hannibal Maria Di Francia and Luisa Piccarreta
St. Annibale Maria Di Francia and Luisa Piccarreta
A Wise Guide,
an Obedient Disciple
in the Spirituality of the Divine Will
Extract from Press Release by Fr. Angelo Sardone RCJ on the publication of his above book.
On March 4, 1947, 79 years ago, the Servant of God Luisa Piccarreta, whom St. Annibale Maria Di Francia had been continuously concerned with for the last 17 years of his life (1910-1927), died in her home in Corato (Bari).
To mark the occasion, I have published a historical work that outlines in a concise and informative manner the spiritual relationship between the two souls of God. The 76-page essay, the third issue of the "Anime Pie" series, contains a preface by Msgr. Leonardo D'Ascenzo, Archbishop of Trani-Barletta, as well as a significant photographic collection. An English-language version has been prepared to respond to requests from numerous faithful linked to the spirituality of the Divine Will throughout the world, and soon, a Spanish-language version will also be available.
The text is currently being distributed and aims to raise awareness of this unique partnership from a historical and hagiographical perspective.
To request copies, please contact Villaggio del Fanciullo S. Antonio, Viale C. Levi 2, 75100 Matera, or email vilfanmatera@rcj.org or an.sardone@rcj.org. They can be mailed for a fee of €10.00, including postage.
Fr. Angelo Sardone RCJ
St Hannibal wrote many letters to Luisa Piccarreta.
An English translation of some of these can be viewed online at luisapiccarreta.com website.
A Slide Presentation about St. Hannibal's connection with Luisa Piccarreta
by Fr. Angelo Sardone
Rogationist Priest
with the kind permission of Fr. Sardone
