The author presents the first researched excursus on the life, works and thought of Father Umberto Pietrogrande (1930-2015), based on the consultation of published as well as unpublished sources. Born in Padua to a Catholic and prosperous family, he graduated in Law and occupied leader positions in the context of local associations until the time of his religious call. He was sent to Brazil by his fellow Jesuits to deal with the relocation of metropolises from the countryside to the suburban areas. He championed practical and innovative solutions such as the rural family schools and the pedagogy of alternation, which were adopted throughout the country. Thanks to his pro-jects, he managed to create an important basis for the international cooperation and he succeeded in the realisation of Aes-Ccc, Mepes and Funaci.El autor presenta, a la luz del uso de fuentes no publicadas y directas, una primera visión general sobre la vida, la obra y el pensamiento del padre Umberto Pietrogrande (1930-2015). Nació en Padua en una familia católica y adinerada, se graduó en derecho desenvolviendo varios cargos de responsabilidad en el asociacionismo local; y luego su vocación. Siendo jesuita, fue enviado a Brasil. El padre Umberto hizo frente al éxodo rural hacia las periferias de las grandes ciudades, proponiendo soluciones concretas e inovadoras. Sus escuelas familia agrícolas y el método pedagógico sobre la alternación se difunden por todo el País. Con sus proyectos crea puentes de cooperación internacional y funda la Aes-Ccc, el Mepes y la Funaci.L'autore propone, alla luce di fonti inedite e dirette, un primo excursus su vita, opera e pensiero di padre Umberto Pietrogrande (1930-2015). Nato a Padova in una famiglia cattolica e benestante, si laurea in giurisprudenza e ricopre incarichi di responsabilità nell’associazionismo locale; poi, la vocazione. Gesuita, è inviato in Brasile. Affronta la fuga dalle campagne verso le periferie delle grandi città proponendo soluzioni concrete e innovative. Le sue scuole famiglia agricole e il metodo pedagogico dell’alternanza si diffondono in tutto il Paese. Con i suoi progetti crea ponti di cooperazione internaziona-le e fonda l’Aes-Ccc, il Mepes e la Funaci
