F. Francesco Divittorio from Rugliano (& His Companions) martyred in Armenia

Padre Francesco Di Vittorio

 (Francesco from Rutigliano)

In 1974, father Francesco Vito Gagliardi O.F.M. published the book entitled "Il Servo di Dio Padre Francesco di Vittorio e compagni Francescani Martirizzati in Armenia." for publishing house of Il Doge di Castellana Grotte (BARI, Italy) 

The story of Father Francesco Paolo Vittorio (often named as father Francesco Rutigliano) is still unknown, but in the year that commemorates the centenary of the Armenian Genocide, it should be remembered so that we can resume the canonical process.

Many authors have given news as well as Father Gagliardi, who knew information directly because he was the nephew of Father Vittorio. Some brothers have told the story, including Cristoforo Alvi, Archivist of the Custody of Jerusalem and also father Gino and Padre Pio of Andola.

p. Stephan Yalinkatian 
from Maraş

Other journalists and lay people have written in several articles, such as Antonio d'Alba, Nicola Giampaolo, Gianni Capotorto.

In 2005, the Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor, José Rodríguez Carballo, OFM (now Archbishop of Belcastro) opened the cause of beatification of Father Francis Divittorio and his companions.

Father Francis with the cause also includes the martyrdom of some of his fellow missionaries martyred between 21 and 23 January 1920 at Maraş in Turkey. The place is still sadly known for massacres and riots against the population also occurred in the late 70s of the twentieth century (about the massacre of 1978 Maraş see also) http://www.uikionlus.com/un-marchio-nero-sulla-turchia-la-strage-di-maras/). 

frat. Salvatore Sabatini 
da Pizzoli

In 1920, the first in order of time, P. Stephan Yalinkatian was martyred (Stefano from Maraş) on January 21. He was killed in his church among his parishioners. He was born in the same old town of Cilicia in 1861.

January 23 were martyred at Mucuk Deresi, near Maraş, father Francesco Divittorio (Francesco from Rutigliano). He was born in 1882 in Rutigliano, near Bari (Italy), the lay brother Alfred Dollencz (Alfredo from Nagyszentmiklós). He was born in 1853 in Sânnicolau Mare (in near Nagyszentmiklós).
With Father Di Vittorio and fr. Dollecz, he suffered martyrdom another lay brother Salvatore Sabatini (Salvatore from Pizzoli). He was born Dec. 12, 1875 in Pizzoli, near l'Aquila (Italy).