Born in Pietrabbondante (Campobasso), Italy, on April 25, 1919, Rinaldo Zarlenga was the sixth of nine children. His early education took place in local schools in his home town. At the age of ten, Rinaldo was sent to Dominican schools in Gubbio, Perugia, and Arezzo, and his life as a Dominican was begun. Many years later, he wrote, "All my intellectual, moral, spiritual education came from the Order. Also, my artistic education." His youngest brother, Vincent Zarlenga, joined him in the Order several years later.

In 1935, Rinaldo received the Dominican habit and was given the name, Angelico, as his religious name. On October 17, 1936, he made his simple profession in the Order at the Convento San Domenico in Pistoia, Italy. From 1936 to 1943, he studied philosophy and theology at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome and achieved the doctorate in theology in 1944. His ordination to the priesthood took place on October 26, 1941 at the Chiesa San Carlo Ai Catinari in Rome.

Because of his talent and love for art, he continued formal training in art in Rome under the well-known painter, Orazio Amato. From 1944 to 1947, he attended the Institute "Beato Angelico" for Religious Art and was awarded the Master of Fine Arts degree. During this time, he also studied at the National Academy "San Luca," the world's oldest academy of fine arts where Raphael, Michelangelo, Bernini and other great artists once taught, and "San Giacomo" School of Art. From 1946 to 1948, he also directed the "Corsi Superiori

d'Arte" at the Institute ''Beato Angelico."

In 1949, Father Zarlenga was sent to the United States to work in the field of religious art; in1957, he became an American citizen. In addition to his artistic projects, lectures and seminars, he taught philosophy and theology for several years: from 1952 to 1953 at the College of St. Teresa in Winona, Minnesota; from 1953 to 1954 at St. Xavier College in Chicago, Illinois; and from 1954 to 1958 at DePaul University in Chicago.

In 1957, he received permission to establish the Studio Fra Angelico for Religious Art, which he envisioned as a Dominican apostolate to the artistic community of Chicago. In mid-1958, Father Zarlenga dedicated himself on a full-time basis to the art apostolate, lecturing and creating religious works in many art media: wood carving, stained glass, painting, sculpture, mosaics, and others. He became well known among church artists all over the world and maintained studios in Rome and Pietrasanta, Italy, as well as the Studio Fra Angelico at the Priory of St. Dominic and St. Thomas in River Forest, Illinois. His works were shown in exhibits in Chicago, Cincinnati, and Rome.

Over the years, Father Zarlenga completed art works which can be found notably at Fenwick High School in Oak Park; St. Pius V Church, St. Philomena Church, and St. Symphorosa Church in Chicago; St. Attracta Church in Cicero; Divine Savior Church in Norridge, Illinois; Saint Dominic Church in New Orleans, Louisiana; the former Dominican Novitiate in Winona, Minnesota; Riverside Hospital Chapel in Kankakee, Illinois; and Santa Maria Sopra Minerva in Rome. His stained-glass window for the Vatican was placed in the apartment of the Pope's theologian.

A diabetic for most of his adult life, in the early 1980's, tests indicated that he was also a victim of cancer. His health declined steadily during the last few years of his life, and he died quietly on February 28, 1986, at the Priory of St. Dominic and St. Thomas. Following a two-day wake at the Priory and a funeral Mass on March 5 at St. Vincent Ferrer Church, River Forest, Illinois, his body was transported to Italy for interment in the family burial plot in his hometown near Rome.