Fr. Aveni was born in Tripi (Messina, Italy) on December 5, 1918. In September 1931, he entered our Congregation in Messina. During his early formation years, he was a student of Fr. Bonaventura Vitale, and had his novitiate in Trani with Fr. Serafino Santoro as Novice Master. He had his theological studies in Messina, where he made his final vows on September 10, 1941, and was ordained a priest on July 15, 1945, in the Church of Montevergine.

He spent two more years in Messina as a formator and teacher, then with the same tasks he went to Trani where, in 1947, even though he was not yet thirty, he was appointed for the first time to the task of Novice Master. After nine years, he was called to Rome as Superior of the House of Religious Students in Theology. Then, in 1959, he resumed the task of Novice Master in Florence and then in Zagarolo until 1971, when he was assigned to the House of Christ the King in Messina as a spiritual director. In the 1974 General Chapter, he was elected Councilor for Religious Life and Vicar General. At the end of the mandate in 1980, he was assigned to the mission in the Philippines where the following year he resumed the task of Novice Master in Manila and held this office until 1991.

In line with this assignment, he did his utmost in the ministry of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and spiritual direction when required by the aspirants and religious of our communities in the vicinity, as well as by several Women Congregations in the area. He made himself available also for conferences or retreats. When he left the office of Novice Master, his ministry increased, alternating it with the times he devoted to prayer, especially before the Blessed Sacrament, and to spiritual reading.
His health, which had always been poor, deteriorated progressively over the last decade, especially because of problems in blood circulation. He serenely endured such sufferings until the end, keeping faithful to the rhythms of community life. He fell asleep in the Lord on July 24, 2010.

We remember Fr. Aveni as a humble person who was simple, exemplary, demanding with himself and paternal and loving to all, friendly, jovial, and deeply in love with the Father Founder and with the Congregation. He was a shining witness to our charismatic heritage.

Let us remember him in our prayers.