Did you know that the Istituto Antoniano Padre Annibale Maria Di Francia Padri Rogazionisti in Palermo has a special mission. It serves the last. This religious community focuses on helping those in need.
The story begins with Blessed Annibale Maria Di Francia. He founded the Rogationists in 1897. His goal was to educate and assist disadvantaged youth. He also cared for orphans and those with disabilities. Above all he wanted to promote service to God.
The Rogationists’ work with the deaf began more recently. In the 1940s the founder’s sons expanded the mission. The first institute for the deaf was in Messina in 1950. Later institutes opened in Assisi and Chiavari. The Rogationist fathers then sought to open a specialized school in Palermo. Their main aim was to address the educational needs of deaf students in Sicily.
In 1959 with the approval of the authorities a school for the deaf opened in Palermo. It was located at the Istituto where the Congregation’s seminary was. Padre Antonio Coluccia became the first director. He was an educator of the deaf. His pedagogical knowledge helped establish two sections one for boys and one for girls. Many students enrolled.
The Suore del Divino Zelo sisters took care of the kitchen and wardrobe. Annibale Di Francia founded this female congregation in 1887. Eventually the Istituto gained recognition as equivalent to public schools for the deaf. It expanded its services to include religious education based on Rogationist principles. The Istituto offered kindergarten elementary and middle school classes. Specialized teachers provided instruction. They also had advanced phonetics and acoustics equipment.
A vocational training center helped deaf students prepare for work. In the 1980s the center introduced computer training for students. This provided new skills for deaf students.
A significant development occurred in 1978. Cardinal Salvatore Pappalardo of Palermo and the Superiors reached an agreement. This led to the construction of a large complex on Via Castellana. Surrounded by greenery it offered modern facilities. It included comfortable spaces for education leisure and sports.
Many dedicated individuals have served as directors. They include P. Antonio Coluccia P. Giovanni Prudentino and P. Vincenzo Ribaudo. Others include P. Giovanni Carbotti P. Pietro Chillemi and P. Sebastiano La Rosa. Further directors were P. Luigi La Marca P. Franco Spagnuolo and P. Domenico Dabrescia. Angelo Laddaga P. Mario Lucarelli P. Massimiliano Nobile and P. Fabrizio Andriani. Currently Padre Vito Putignano has been director since 2023.
In 1995 the Caritas Ges Sacerdote was founded within the Parish Ges Sacerdote dei Padri Rogazionisti in Palermo. Over time it became known as Caritas Centro Ascolto Sant’Annibale. Padre Mario Gallucci led it initially. Volunteers like Marisa Cassina assisted him. They aimed to help needy families. They soon realized people needed more than just food. They needed to be heard.
The Istituto Antoniano Padre Annibale Maria Di Francia continues to be a vital place. It supports the deaf and those in need. It embodies the founder’s vision.