Giacinto of Belmonte

A Portrait of Father Giacinto in the Capuchin Convent in Rome. Father Giacinto of Belmonte, born Francesco Saverio Osso (Belmonte Calabro, 24 October 1839 – Acri, 23 October 1899 ), was an Italian Christian monk, priest, and writer, belonging to the Order of Capuchin Friars.

His Life Francesco Saverio Osso was born in the locality Santa Barbara in the municipality of Belmonte Calabro. His parents were Giuseppe and Maria Osso (née Garritano) and he had eight siblings, sisters: Maria and Rosa, brothers: Nicola, Giovanni, Fedele, Pasquale, Luigi and Matteo.

In August 1857, under the guidance of Father Zaccaria of Laino Borgo, he left Belmonte Calabro for Rogliano, where he took his temporary vows on 23 October 1858. He became a full-fledged friar on 2 October 1861 in Acri, professing perpetual orders and taking the name of Father Giacinto. He was ordained a priest on 12 January 1865, again in Acri.

In 1867 the subversive law on religious property issued by the Kingdom of Italy led to the closure of the Convent of the Capuchins of Acri. Those from the Convent, including Father Giacinto, found refuge in private homes granted by private citizens.

In 1897 he returned to Acri from Rome, and found the Basilica of the Beato Angelo already completed.

On 4 October 1899 Father Giacinto was the victim of a robbery, following which he suffered apoplexy. On 24 October 1899, Father Giacinto died on the day before his 60th Birthday.

Main Works La Chiesa e lo Stato. Considerazioni teologico-filosofiche, Tip. SS Concezione, Firenze 1875. Scritti letterari-religiosi, Cellini, Firenze 1876. Il beato Angelo da Acri e la Madonna Addolorata, Tip. Editrice-industriale, Roma 1885. I poveri e i ricchi, Tip. SS. Concezione, Firenze 1885. Il male dei nostri giorni, Tip. Editrice-industriale, Roma 1886. Per il terzo centenario di S. Felice da Cantalice cappuccino, Tip. Armanni, Roma 1887. Compendio della vita del beato Felice da Nicosia, cappuccino, Tip. Vaticana, Roma 1888. Discorsi religiosi per i tempi che corrono, 2 voll., Tip. Lucentini, Roma 1889. Compendio della vita del venerabile Lorenzo da Zibello, sacerdote cappuccino, Tip. Guerra e Mirri, Roma 1890. Compendio della vita del B. Angelo da Acri missionario cappuccino, Tip. Artigianelli, Roma 1894. Poche cose intorno la predicazione cattolica, Tip. Fruscione e Negri, Salerno 1895. Vita di S. Giuseppe da Leonessa, missionario cappuccino, Tip. Artigianelli, Roma 1896.