May I always better understand what I must do in my life to bring joy to those around me and to bring joy to You.
Antonio Emanuele, 1994
The story of Antonio Emanuele Augurusa
Antonio Emanuele Augurusa was born in the spring of 1986 in Filogaso, a small town in Calabria, where he lost his life on a soccer field in the summer of 1998, due to an unsecured crossbar that lacked the necessary safety measures.
Despite his short life, Antonio Emanuele left a profound mark on his community through his natural sensitivity and care for others. He looked after his peers, his family, animals, and the environment around him, approaching every relationship with kindness, respect, and a strong sense of responsibility.
It is from these same streets that we, as a Foundation, were born and grew, pursuing the vision of a fair, just, and supportive world that Antonio expressed through pencil and pastel drawings in the form of a “House of Peace.”
Antonio built his House of Peace every day by striving to make his world a “home” for everyone, ensuring that every woman and man around him felt like an active member of the human family that inhabits this “home.” For him, Peace meant not simply the absence of conflict, but the active promotion of the well-being of human beings and the natural environment.
His places
Inspired by the young life and the testimony of love of Antonio Emanuele, we nurture the values that guide our work every day.
“My world is school, friends, home, my parents, my siblings, and last but not least the town square and streets.”
Antonio Emanuele, 1994
Explore Antonio's places by clicking the highlighted areas on the map.
The Church of Sant'Agata
This is the Church of Sant’Agata, where Antonio received the sacrament of baptism. It is here that Antonio’s sense of Charity is symbolically born.
Antonio’s Birthplace
This is Antonio’s birthplace, where he spent his childhood years. Today, the entrance houses one of the Foundation’s offices.
Football field
This is the football field where Antonio tragically lost his life — during a moment of play, the crossbar collapsed on him. Soon, a sports hall will be built here to redeem this place and honor Antonio’s memory.
Playground
This is the playground that the Foundation donated to the community of Filogaso in 2020. Here stands the bas-relief created by the artist Giuseppe Farina in Antonio’s name — a reminder that no child should ever lose their life in a moment of play.
Piazzetta
This is the "piazzetta" (little square) next to the house where Antonio spent the last years of his life. It is here that Antonio’s desire for Transformation is symbolically born.
Corso Garibaldi
This is Corso Garibaldi, the main street of Filogaso where Antonio used to run and play with his friends and brothers. It is here that Antonio’s sense of Community is symbolically born.
Middle School “Antonio Augurusa”
This is the “Antonio Augurusa” middle School, named after him in 2018 as a young example of respect and charity toward others, dedication to study, and love for life with eyes always turned to the sky. It is here that Antonio’s capacity for Dialogue is symbolically born.
Tap the highlighted areas on the map to explore Antonio’s places.
The Church of Sant'Agata
This is the Church of Sant’Agata, where Antonio received the sacrament of baptism. It is here that Antonio’s sense of Charity is symbolically born.
Antonio’s Birthplace
This is Antonio’s birthplace, where he spent his childhood years. Today, the entrance houses one of the Foundation’s offices.
Football field
This is the football field where Antonio tragically lost his life — during a moment of play, the crossbar collapsed on him. Soon, a sports hall will be built here to redeem this place and honor Antonio’s memory.
Playground
This is the playground that the Foundation donated to the community of Filogaso in 2020. Here stands the bas-relief created by the artist Giuseppe Farina in Antonio’s name — a reminder that no child should ever lose their life in a moment of play.
Piazzetta
This is the "piazzetta" (little square) next to the house where Antonio spent the last years of his life. It is here that Antonio’s desire for Transformation is symbolically born.
Corso Garibaldi
This is Corso Garibaldi, the main street of Filogaso where Antonio used to run and play with his friends and brothers. It is here that Antonio’s sense of Community is symbolically born.
Middle School “Antonio Augurusa”
This is the “Antonio Augurusa” Lower Secondary School, named after him in 2018 as a young example of respect and charity toward others, dedication to study, and love for life with eyes always turned to the sky. It is here that Antonio’s capacity for Dialogue is symbolically born.
In his name
Antonio’s message continues to guide the thoughts and actions of his family of origin and of his larger nonprofit family, day after day. Over the years, numerous initiatives have blossomed in his name to honor his memory and celebrate the virtues he embodied. These initiatives involve the community of Filogaso and are reaching the first communities overseas, which are responding to the call of his message.
The First Act of Restitution
One month after the Foundation was established, as our very first act of giving back to the community and to honor the memory of Antonio Emanuele, we donated a playground to the community of Filogaso, with the hope that playtime may always be, for every child, nothing more and nothing less than a time for living, joy, and carefree happiness.
A Sculpture in Memory of Antonio
Local artist Giuseppe Farina donated a bas-relief to be displayed inside the playground, depicting Antonio in the embrace of Saint Josemaría Escrivá. Surrounding the scene are numerous lilies, symbolizing purity, innocence, and nobility of spirit, and embodying the most authentic essence of Antonio’s character.
Naming of Filogaso Middle School
In 2018, the Augurusa Family, together with the School Principal, decided to dedicate the Middle School of the Sant’Onofrio Institute in Filogaso to Antonio Emanuele. A plaque was placed on the entrance walls in his memory, bearing the following inscription:
“A young example of respect and charity towards others, dedication to study, and love for life, with his gaze always turned to heaven.”
Antonio’s message in the Philippines
In 2024, Antonio’s message crossed the ocean, touching hearts far away. During his visit to rural areas of the Philippines for the UNIAPAC Congress, President Augurusa shared the story of Antonio Emanuele and the work of the Foundation. Inspired by this story, members of the local community began organizing meetings at middle schools to share Antonio’s story and spread his message.
This led to the spontaneous formation of prayer groups, initiated by children of the same age as Antonio, who were deeply moved by his story and his testimony of love.
Antonio’s World
Listen to his message, discover the House of Peace, and the values that continue to live on through our commitment.