Lucas Antonio Falcone was born in Acri, Cosenza, Italy, on October 19, 1669. Determined to follow Christ, he persevered in the teachings he received, dedicating himself to prayer and penance. Despite struggling with the temptation to abandon his spiritual path, he remained steadfast, seemingly attracting more divine grace by resisting.
On one occasion, while in church with his mother, he attempted to play a prank but restrained himself upon feeling something in his gaze. Each refusal to back down strengthened his determination. Lucas, under the religious name of Angelo da Acri, entered the Belvedere convent in 1691, encouraged by his mentor, Giovanni da Orsomarso. Despite initial doubts, he professed that same year, entrusting his vocation to Mary.
Against the wishes of his family, Angelo pursued his Capuchin vocation, learning about the life of Brother Corleone, which helped him in his spiritual journey. Ordained a priest in 1700, he dedicated himself to preaching the Word of God in a simple and understandable style for the common people. He traveled through various regions of Italy, facing difficulties but bringing comfort to many.
Brother Angelo denounced abuses and fought for the rights of the most vulnerable, demanding fair treatment from civil authorities and the nobility. His life was characterized by faith, courage, and compassion. Beatified in 1825 and canonized in 2017 by Pope Francis, Saint Angelo da Acri is remembered for his devotion to God and his dedication to others.