Frate Matteo d’Agrigento fondatore dei primi conventi osservanti in Sicilia

Taking its cue from a recent conference on "The Observant Friars and Society in Italy in the 15th century", organized by the International Society for Franciscan Studies (11-13 October 2012), the author aims to analyze the expansion dynamics of the Observant Movement in Sicily, centered around the activity of the Blessed Matteo of Agrigento. After following San Bernardino of Siena, his master, the friar from Agrigento had to make his way back to the island at the end of 1425, where he and some friars firmly dedicated to living according to Saint Francis’s strictest regulæ. Through his preaching, he promptly appealed to the religious House of Agrigento. Matteo was also at the forefront of the Observant Movement in Sicily, notably by founding the friaries of Mistretta, Palermo, and Agrigento Convents (1426-1428), and subsequently by founding those of Caccamo, Siracusa, Caltavuturo, Caltagirone, as well as others based in Palermo, Messina, and Agrigento (1428-1432). Furthermore, it is very likely that thanks to his royal protection to the local, Matteo was also active in the Convents of Termini, Piazza d’Armerina, Sciacca and Mazara del Vallo. In the article, the author briefly notes what an active religious vocation in Matteo’s preaching.