Anthony Mastrangelo was born in New Castle, Pennsylvania, on May 3, 1931, the first of three sons born to Nicholas A. and Concetta Toscano Mastrangelo. Having been baptized in New Castle's St. Vitus Parish, his childhood was nurtured by the immigrant Italian community of the city. After bouncing back and forth between public and parochial schools during his elementary and high school years, in 1948, 17-year-old Anthony landed among the Capuchin Franciscan friars at St. Fidelis High School and College Seminary in Herman, Pennsylvania, to complete his last two years of high school studies before entering the college seminary.
After Anthony's second year of college, he entered the Capuchin Novitiate at Annapolis, Maryland, in 1952, in the third group of men to do so after the property's purchase in 1950. He received the religious name Mario, which he kept for the rest of his life, even when the friars were given the opportunity to return to their baptismal names in 1968. He made his first profession of vows on July 14, 1953, and returned to St. Fidelis to complete his college years before moving on to Theology studies in Washington, D.C., at the Capuchin College.
It was a solemn and proud day for his family when he was ordained to the priesthood on June 7, 1958, at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception by Bishop John McNamara. He was subsequently assigned to the Province's Mission in Puerto Rico.
Fr. Mario would spend the remaining sixty-four years of his life serving the Church and the people of the island. It was no smooth journey for the young priest friar. Several times he seriously considered returning to the home Province of St. Augustine in Pittsburgh. At one point, he was discerning a possible vocation as a Trappist monk in order to enter more deeply into the contemplative life. In the end though, it seems that the Lord kept calling him to remain in Puerto Rico, and, every time, he answered that call with all his heart. As a result, he became one of the most joyful, popular, and beloved friars in both Puerto Rico and on the mainland United States. His compassion, large personality, boisterous laugh, and love of a good joke, even at his own expense, endeared him to virtually all who met and talked with him. He served the spiritual needs of many, but most especially the formation of friars and seminarians on the island, and in proclaiming God's Word as a preacher and retreat director.
Fr. Mario's care was for the whole person. In 1990, at age 59, he earned a degree in Nursing and full certification as a Registered Nurse. The only doubt in his mind was where to put the initials "RN"- before or after the "OFM Cap." He derived deep satisfaction from the relief of suffering and the promotion of his healthcare ministry to AIDS victims on the island. All the while, he continued his labor of love as a preacher and teacher.
The Province of St. Augustine suffered a loss when Mario Mastrangelo, OFM Cap., age 90, made his transitus to the Lord's eternal life on Saturday afternoon, February 26, 2022. Health problems had plagued him throughout the past years, sometimes dampening his spirits, but never his kindness, his resolve, or his trust in the Lord. His visits in and out of the hospital for a range of issues dealing with his diabetes called upon the friars' prayers and support. They became accustomed to his bouncing back and returning, but after a final visit by his blood brother, Fr. Nick Mastrangelo, Fr. Mario succumbed to Sister Death.
Father Mario Mastrangelo, OFM Cap., died on Saturday afternoon, February 26, 2022,
in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He settled for good in his beloved Puerto Rico where he was buried, following a Funeral Mass of Resurrection in San Juan, on Saturday, March 5th, in Porta Coeli Cemetery, Bayamon.
He is survived by his brothers Frank Mastrangelo, of New Castle, Pennsylvania; and Fr. Nick Mastrangelo, a retired priest of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Contributions in memory of Father Mario were requested to the Capuchin Province of St. Augustine, 220 37th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201, and will be forwarded to the Capuchins of San Juan Bautista (St. John the Baptist), Puerto Rico.
Information from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, March 5, 2022., and
from the Capuchin Friars, Province of St. Augustine, website.
Submitted by Angela, Member #48520699.
After Anthony's second year of college, he entered the Capuchin Novitiate at Annapolis, Maryland, in 1952, in the third group of men to do so after the property's purchase in 1950. He received the religious name Mario, which he kept for the rest of his life, even when the friars were given the opportunity to return to their baptismal names in 1968. He made his first profession of vows on July 14, 1953, and returned to St. Fidelis to complete his college years before moving on to Theology studies in Washington, D.C., at the Capuchin College.
It was a solemn and proud day for his family when he was ordained to the priesthood on June 7, 1958, at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception by Bishop John McNamara. He was subsequently assigned to the Province's Mission in Puerto Rico.
Fr. Mario would spend the remaining sixty-four years of his life serving the Church and the people of the island. It was no smooth journey for the young priest friar. Several times he seriously considered returning to the home Province of St. Augustine in Pittsburgh. At one point, he was discerning a possible vocation as a Trappist monk in order to enter more deeply into the contemplative life. In the end though, it seems that the Lord kept calling him to remain in Puerto Rico, and, every time, he answered that call with all his heart. As a result, he became one of the most joyful, popular, and beloved friars in both Puerto Rico and on the mainland United States. His compassion, large personality, boisterous laugh, and love of a good joke, even at his own expense, endeared him to virtually all who met and talked with him. He served the spiritual needs of many, but most especially the formation of friars and seminarians on the island, and in proclaiming God's Word as a preacher and retreat director.
Fr. Mario's care was for the whole person. In 1990, at age 59, he earned a degree in Nursing and full certification as a Registered Nurse. The only doubt in his mind was where to put the initials "RN"- before or after the "OFM Cap." He derived deep satisfaction from the relief of suffering and the promotion of his healthcare ministry to AIDS victims on the island. All the while, he continued his labor of love as a preacher and teacher.
The Province of St. Augustine suffered a loss when Mario Mastrangelo, OFM Cap., age 90, made his transitus to the Lord's eternal life on Saturday afternoon, February 26, 2022. Health problems had plagued him throughout the past years, sometimes dampening his spirits, but never his kindness, his resolve, or his trust in the Lord. His visits in and out of the hospital for a range of issues dealing with his diabetes called upon the friars' prayers and support. They became accustomed to his bouncing back and returning, but after a final visit by his blood brother, Fr. Nick Mastrangelo, Fr. Mario succumbed to Sister Death.
Father Mario Mastrangelo, OFM Cap., died on Saturday afternoon, February 26, 2022,
in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He settled for good in his beloved Puerto Rico where he was buried, following a Funeral Mass of Resurrection in San Juan, on Saturday, March 5th, in Porta Coeli Cemetery, Bayamon.
He is survived by his brothers Frank Mastrangelo, of New Castle, Pennsylvania; and Fr. Nick Mastrangelo, a retired priest of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Contributions in memory of Father Mario were requested to the Capuchin Province of St. Augustine, 220 37th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201, and will be forwarded to the Capuchins of San Juan Bautista (St. John the Baptist), Puerto Rico.
Information from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, March 5, 2022., and
from the Capuchin Friars, Province of St. Augustine, website.
Submitted by Angela, Member #48520699.
Anthony Mastrangelo was born in New Castle, Pennsylvania, on May 3, 1931, the first of three sons born to Nicholas A. and Concetta Toscano Mastrangelo. Having been baptized in New Castle's St. Vitus Parish, his childhood was nurtured by the immigrant Italian community of the city. After bouncing back and forth between public and parochial schools during his elementary and high school years, in 1948, 17-year-old Anthony landed among the Capuchin Franciscan friars at St. Fidelis High School and College Seminary in Herman, Pennsylvania, to complete his last two years of high school studies before entering the college seminary.
After Anthony's second year of college, he entered the Capuchin Novitiate at Annapolis, Maryland, in 1952, in the third group of men to do so after the property's purchase in 1950. He received the religious name Mario, which he kept for the rest of his life, even when the friars were given the opportunity to return to their baptismal names in 1968. He made his first profession of vows on July 14, 1953, and returned to St. Fidelis to complete his college years before moving on to Theology studies in Washington, D.C., at the Capuchin College.
It was a solemn and proud day for his family when he was ordained to the priesthood on June 7, 1958, at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception by Bishop John McNamara. He was subsequently assigned to the Province's Mission in Puerto Rico.
Fr. Mario would spend the remaining sixty-four years of his life serving the Church and the people of the island. It was no smooth journey for the young priest friar. Several times he seriously considered returning to the home Province of St. Augustine in Pittsburgh. At one point, he was discerning a possible vocation as a Trappist monk in order to enter more deeply into the contemplative life. In the end though, it seems that the Lord kept calling him to remain in Puerto Rico, and, every time, he answered that call with all his heart. As a result, he became one of the most joyful, popular, and beloved friars in both Puerto Rico and on the mainland United States. His compassion, large personality, boisterous laugh, and love of a good joke, even at his own expense, endeared him to virtually all who met and talked with him. He served the spiritual needs of many, but most especially the formation of friars and seminarians on the island, and in proclaiming God's Word as a preacher and retreat director.
Fr. Mario's care was for the whole person. In 1990, at age 59, he earned a degree in Nursing and full certification as a Registered Nurse. The only doubt in his mind was where to put the initials "RN"- before or after the "OFM Cap." He derived deep satisfaction from the relief of suffering and the promotion of his healthcare ministry to AIDS victims on the island. All the while, he continued his labor of love as a preacher and teacher.
The Province of St. Augustine suffered a loss when Mario Mastrangelo, OFM Cap., age 90, made his transitus to the Lord's eternal life on Saturday afternoon, February 26, 2022. Health problems had plagued him throughout the past years, sometimes dampening his spirits, but never his kindness, his resolve, or his trust in the Lord. His visits in and out of the hospital for a range of issues dealing with his diabetes called upon the friars' prayers and support. They became accustomed to his bouncing back and returning, but after a final visit by his blood brother, Fr. Nick Mastrangelo, Fr. Mario succumbed to Sister Death.
Father Mario Mastrangelo, OFM Cap., died on Saturday afternoon, February 26, 2022,
in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He settled for good in his beloved Puerto Rico where he was buried, following a Funeral Mass of Resurrection in San Juan, on Saturday, March 5th, in Porta Coeli Cemetery, Bayamon.
He is survived by his brothers Frank Mastrangelo, of New Castle, Pennsylvania; and Fr. Nick Mastrangelo, a retired priest of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Contributions in memory of Father Mario were requested to the Capuchin Province of St. Augustine, 220 37th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201, and will be forwarded to the Capuchins of San Juan Bautista (St. John the Baptist), Puerto Rico.
Information from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, March 5, 2022., and
from the Capuchin Friars, Province of St. Augustine, website.
Submitted by Angela, Member #48520699.
After Anthony's second year of college, he entered the Capuchin Novitiate at Annapolis, Maryland, in 1952, in the third group of men to do so after the property's purchase in 1950. He received the religious name Mario, which he kept for the rest of his life, even when the friars were given the opportunity to return to their baptismal names in 1968. He made his first profession of vows on July 14, 1953, and returned to St. Fidelis to complete his college years before moving on to Theology studies in Washington, D.C., at the Capuchin College.
It was a solemn and proud day for his family when he was ordained to the priesthood on June 7, 1958, at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception by Bishop John McNamara. He was subsequently assigned to the Province's Mission in Puerto Rico.
Fr. Mario would spend the remaining sixty-four years of his life serving the Church and the people of the island. It was no smooth journey for the young priest friar. Several times he seriously considered returning to the home Province of St. Augustine in Pittsburgh. At one point, he was discerning a possible vocation as a Trappist monk in order to enter more deeply into the contemplative life. In the end though, it seems that the Lord kept calling him to remain in Puerto Rico, and, every time, he answered that call with all his heart. As a result, he became one of the most joyful, popular, and beloved friars in both Puerto Rico and on the mainland United States. His compassion, large personality, boisterous laugh, and love of a good joke, even at his own expense, endeared him to virtually all who met and talked with him. He served the spiritual needs of many, but most especially the formation of friars and seminarians on the island, and in proclaiming God's Word as a preacher and retreat director.
Fr. Mario's care was for the whole person. In 1990, at age 59, he earned a degree in Nursing and full certification as a Registered Nurse. The only doubt in his mind was where to put the initials "RN"- before or after the "OFM Cap." He derived deep satisfaction from the relief of suffering and the promotion of his healthcare ministry to AIDS victims on the island. All the while, he continued his labor of love as a preacher and teacher.
The Province of St. Augustine suffered a loss when Mario Mastrangelo, OFM Cap., age 90, made his transitus to the Lord's eternal life on Saturday afternoon, February 26, 2022. Health problems had plagued him throughout the past years, sometimes dampening his spirits, but never his kindness, his resolve, or his trust in the Lord. His visits in and out of the hospital for a range of issues dealing with his diabetes called upon the friars' prayers and support. They became accustomed to his bouncing back and returning, but after a final visit by his blood brother, Fr. Nick Mastrangelo, Fr. Mario succumbed to Sister Death.
Father Mario Mastrangelo, OFM Cap., died on Saturday afternoon, February 26, 2022,
in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He settled for good in his beloved Puerto Rico where he was buried, following a Funeral Mass of Resurrection in San Juan, on Saturday, March 5th, in Porta Coeli Cemetery, Bayamon.
He is survived by his brothers Frank Mastrangelo, of New Castle, Pennsylvania; and Fr. Nick Mastrangelo, a retired priest of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Contributions in memory of Father Mario were requested to the Capuchin Province of St. Augustine, 220 37th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201, and will be forwarded to the Capuchins of San Juan Bautista (St. John the Baptist), Puerto Rico.
Information from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, March 5, 2022., and
from the Capuchin Friars, Province of St. Augustine, website.
Submitted by Angela, Member #48520699.
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