In memory of Br. Maurizio Annoni

On the evening of April 11, Br. Maurizio Annoni, Capuchin friar of the Province of Lombardy, passed from this life. With this brief remembrance we would like to thank and bless the Lord for all the good that he did through Br. Maurizio, a friar who lived his vocation in the generous gift of his whole existence.

Br. Maurizio was born in Milan on April 4, 1952, where he grew up in a Christian family. While attending middle school, he met the Capuchins at the parish of Certosa di Garegnano in Milan. There he was part of a St. Vincent de Paul youth group and was already giving his time and energy for the poor and disadvantaged. After graduating, Br. Maurizio studied civil engineering at the Milan Polytechnic University. Then, in 1979, he began the year of novitiate at Lovere friary. He made his temporary profession on September 8, 1980 and perpetual profession on April 29, 1984. On September 7, 1985 he was ordained priest.

From 1994 to 2000, Br. Maurizio was provincial minister of Lombardy. In 2000, he was appointed president of the Opera San Francesco charities for the poor in Milan. It was in this work on behalf of the poor that Br. Maurizio invested the talents that the Lord had given him: common sense, an ability to listen, technical and economic ability, a forward-thinking outlook, and the capacity to pay attention to the challenges that come with various social changes. Under the guidance of Br. Maurizio and his coworkers, the Opera San Francesco became a sign of excellence in charity. There one of the aspects of the charism of the Capuchin friars minor, that of keeping close to the various forms of poverty and disadvantage, took a concrete form that witnessed to the values of welcome and gifts freely given. The soup kitchen, the medical clinics, the showers, and the distribution of clean clothes are among the outstanding signs of a practical charity that is able to grasp the signs of the times and that knows also how to integrate itself and collaborate with the other charities and social projects working in the area.

Br. Maurizio often gave his time and ability to tasks entrusted to him directly by the General Ministers, such as economic visitations and in assistance to precarious economic situations. Our brother was also a member of the administrative council of the Saint Francis Foundation, which each year distributes significant support for the costs of initial formation in various circumscriptions of our Order.

Many people will remember Br. Maurizio as a friend and spiritual father; after many hours of work it was not uncommon to see him the parlor of the friary listening, hearing confessions, and accompanying people who sought counsel and support.

Let us return all good to the Lord, God Almighty and Most high, acknowledge that every good is His, and thank Him, from Whom all good comes, for everything. (Earlier Rule XVII:17, FA:ED I, 76) The earthly life of Br. Maurizio was lived with a deep desire to obey this exhortation of St. Francis of Assisi. An existence given to the Lord and to the brothers is the most beautiful way to give glory to God.