Father Hannibal's mission, which began in the Church of Messina after having received the Bishop's blessing, was the evangelization of the children and the poor of the Avignone Quarter through the living announcement of the charism of the Rogate.

I feel deeply honored and privileged to present this short biography which intends to be a first step to make Fr. Pantaleone better known by the great Family of the Rogate, and by all those who appreciate the face of the friends of the Bridegroom (Jn 3, 29), who have been working in the “construction” of the Holy Church along the centuries.

After finishing his mandate as Vicar General, he was invited to go to the recently opened mission in the Philippines. In fact, he once confided in an interview, “Since the very first moment, [I have resolved that] when I finished my duties in Rome and if the Superiors would send me to the Philippines, I would go willingly.” Notwithstanding his advanced age and the lack of knowledge of the English language, he willingly left with the Fr. General’s reassuring words: “Do not worry about the language; your ‘elderly’ presence will be useful for the formation of our young seminarians. Just go, at least for a year.” So on November 5, 1980, at the age of 62, he arrived in the Philippines where he remained not only for a year but for 30 years!

It is my joy to present and recommend to you the reading of this short biography of Father Giuseppe Marrazzo. “Don Peppino” - as he was commonly called - was "simply a priest" according to the Heart of Christ in the footsteps of Saint Hannibal Mary Di Francia, founder of the Rogationists and of the Daughters of Divine Zeal. This new biography is drawn from the writings of the Servant of God and from the many testimonies of those who knew, loved and revered him as a holy priest who was always “on duty”, day and night. The numerous biographical details and the writings of Father Marrazzo allow us to touch the greatness of his soul as well as his deep spirituality: a simple priest who has transformed his existence into a continual prayer for vocations; a zealous priest animated by pastoral charity towards all, especially the sinners, the sick, the poor, and - in the words of Pope Francis - those who are rejected by the society.

As pilgrims on the eve of the Jubilee Year 2025, as sons and daughters of St. Hannibal Mary Di Francia, who always lived with our minds and hearts turned toward the Lord, especially today, we are called to revive our prayer. One learns to pray by praying, but listening to the Word of God and witnessing to people who pray is a fundamental help.

“I read with great emotion the news of the quiet and serene death of our dearest Brother. I can’t deny that I was grieved by such a quick, unexpected death, but I was also consoled by how enviable it was. Truly one dies as he lives! The details of his death are very edifying, exemplary for all. We cannot let them vanish so as to manifest that very edifying death. We should not call it death! It was the beginning of eternal life. We are sure that the adorable Heart of Jesus picked him up and crowned him in heaven out of a peculiar love.