The Night Brother Biagio Heard God

He was 23 years old Brother Biagio Conte when he came to the saddest and darkest period of his life. At that age he had hit rock bottom, had failed to finish his studies, his entrepreneurial career was not taking off and suffered from eating disorders. Although he had turned to various psychiatrists and psychologists, he continued to feel that state of malaise inside.

In his book "The city of the poor” he tells of his travels from Palermo to Florence to seek comfort. But nothing seemed to work, he didn't feel comfortable anywhere and once back in Palermo, he tried to figure out how to ask Jesus to help him find his size.

His greatest suffering came from company, the evils of the world tormented him and unfortunately, not being sick, there was no cure for him. He thought of fasting until he let himself die to shake people's consciences and force them to look around.

The face of Christ saved him

In his room, hanging on a wall, Biagio had the face of Christ, but never before had he stopped to look at it. However, when he raises his eyes and meets his gaze, he recognizes in Christ's eyes all the desperation for the suffering of the children of Palermo, but in the same way also salvation and ransom.

At that moment he realized that to change things he had to do something, he had to come out and show people his bewilderment. With a sign attached to his neck, where he showed his indignation against indifference, environmental disasters, wars and the mafia, he walked around the city all day.

But people continued to show indifference. At that point God decided to light up Biagio and to agree to his request to show him the way. At that moment she felt a strange force that took possession of him and understood that the way to go was to get away from everything.

He wrote a farewell letter to his parents and wandered the mountains eating berries. One day he felt bad, he was dying and with his last strength he decided to pray God asking him not to abandon him. An incredible heat passed through his body and an immense light illuminated him. All suffering, hunger, cold had disappeared. He was fine, he got up and resumed his journey.

At that moment the journey began from lay hermit by Biagio Conte, a journey made up of prayers, conversations and meetings, before returning to his native Palermo and founding the mission "Hope and Charity“, a shelter for the poor and needy and a symbol of hope for those who are suffering.