Our Province suffered a loss when our brother Mario Mastrangelo, OFM Cap., 90, made his transitus to the Lord’s eternal life on Saturday afternoon, February 26, 2022. Health problems have 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 hospital for a range of issues dealing with his diabetes called upon our prayers and support. We became accustomed to his bouncing back and returning to the brothers, but after a final visit by his blood brother, Fr. Nick Mastrangelo, a retired priest of the Diocese of Pittsburgh (PA), Mario succumbed to Sister Death.
Anthony Mastrangelo was born in New Castle, PA on May 3, 1931, the first of three sons born to Nicholas and Concepta (Toscano) Mastrangelo. Having been baptized in New Castle’s St. Vitus Parish, his childhood was nurtured by the immigrant Italian community of the city. Bouncing back and forth between public and parochial schools during his elementary and high school years, 17-year-old Anthony finally landed among our Capuchin Franciscan friars at St. Fidelis High School and College Seminary in Herman, PA, to complete his last two years of high school studies before entering the college seminary.
As was the custom in the Order, after Anthony’s second year of college, he and his classmates entered the Capuchin Novitiate at Annapolis MD, in 1952, the third group of men to do so after the property’s purchase in 1950. Those classmates included our brothers Gervase Degenhardt, Benjamin Madden, Timon Kaple (+1984) and Thomas Haywood (+1976). Anthony received the Religious name Mario, a name he kept for the rest of his life, even when given the opportunity to return to friars’ baptismal names in 1968. They made their first profession of vows on July 14, 1953, and returned to St. Fidelis to complete their college years before moving on to Theology studies in Washington, DC, at our 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 and was subsequently assigned to the Province Mission in Puerto Rico. He would spend the next sixty-four years 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 stateside to his family and friary friends in the Province – at one point he was discerning a possible vocation as a Trappist monk and a calling to the contemplative life of prayer. In the end, though, it seemed as though the Lord were calling him to remain in Puerto Rico. Every time of doubt was answered by a resolve to fulfill his calling with his whole heart. We were fortunate to experience the great gifts of the graces Mario received. He became one of the most joyful, popular and beloved friars in both Puerto Rico and the mainland United States. His compassion, his large personality, his boisterous laugh and his love of a good joke, even - and maybe especially - at his own expense, endeared him to virtually all who met him and experienced his goodness.
Mario responded generously to the spiritual needs of many, many men and women, most especially in the formation of friars and seminarians on the island and in proclaiming God’s Word as a preacher and retreat director. His care was for the whole person, and in 1990 at 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.”? With a new career and service, he derived deep satisfaction from the gift to relieve suffering and promote healing among victims of the AIDS virus which plagued the island. All the while, Mario continued his labor of love as a preacher and teacher.
After the announcement of Mario’s passing, our brother Mark Pattock, OFM Cap., Pastor of St. John’s Parish in New Baltimore, MD, recounted this story, only one of hundreds of stories being told and re-told with a smile for Mario’s vibrant personality and a tear for his passing from us: I remember that Mario and I drove all over Puerto Rico on the 4th of July looking for a hot dog! We couldn't find one, so we stopped at a Piña colada stand, only to return to the car and Mario realizing he had locked his keys in the car! A policeman recognized him as a priest who preached a mission in his parish and had the doors open immediately for us. Mario proclaimed "divine providence!" He sang opera in the car as we drove the rest of the way! I will never forget that day - I won't!!”
We’re all still smiling at all the memories of our brother; we’re confident he’s smiling brighter than ever in the Lord’s light.
A Funeral Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated for our brother Mario on Saturday, March 5th, in San Juan. He will be laid to rest among the brothers in Porta Coeli cemetery, Bayamon. With his brother Fr. Nick, Mario is also survived by his brother, Frank of New Castle.
If you’re a Facebook watcher,
here’s a sampling of Mario’s Spanish preaching.
For a limited time, the video of the Funeral Mass on Saturday, March 5, 2022
is available on YouTube.
San Juan Archbishop Gonzalez presided
and Auxiliary Bishop Alberto Figueroa preached the homily.
Contributions in memory of Father Mario made to
the Capuchin Province of St. Augustine
will be forwarded to
the Capuchin Custody of San Juan Bautista, Puerto Rico,
where our brother Mario expended his life and love
in the Lord’s service.
