The Catholic community of Jinotega is celebrating Fray Antonino Vaccaro’s 100th birthday in Nicaragua. The Italian priest who arrived in Nicaragua in 1964, has since won the affection and admiration of the Central American faithful.
The Franciscan priest was born in Syracuse (Italy) on 17 October 1924 and was ordained a priest at the age of 40. He was sent to Nicaragua in 1964.
The priest is credited with founding dozens of schools and other training centres, and remained in the Diocese of Matagalpa for 15 years.
He now resides in the Diocese of Jinotega. The celebrations are taking place in the parish of San Rafael Arcángel, in San Rafael del Norte, until October 20, including the Thanksgiving Mass that took place on the 17th, Thursday.
On its Facebook account, the parish of San Rafael Arcángel has shared photos of the celebrations and also images from previous years, such as that of the day of his entry into the Franciscan Order, accompanied by his father Carmelo and his mother Carmelina.