Padre Antonio

Diocesan priest shares story of a Spirit-inspired meeting in Italy

Father Richard Carlino (l.) is shown with Father Antonio Chichierchia (c.) and another local priest while on vacation in Italy. (Photo provided)

I was in Italy on vacation from May 1-8 and the first three days I was visiting Father Anthony Ligato and seminarian Alexander Turpin at the North American College and Father Matthew Duclos at his residence at the Casa Santa Maria in downtown Rome. Then for the remaining four days, I took a train down to north of Naples to Avignanello where I have extended family. While there, on Saturday evening, May 6, and Sunday morning, May 7, I went to Ruviano in the Province of Caserta. It is a tiny village and its one and only church is named San Leone (St. Leo).

Its pastor, Padre Antonio Chichierchia, had originally been retired for 10 years. His bishop asked him to go there and fill in for three months … and he is still there 10 years later! He is an exceptionally kind man, and to say he is beloved in the parish is truly an understatement. He preached well. He sang well. He thanked everyone in church. During the Communion Mediation when the Children’s Choir was singing “Jesus Christ, you are my life” from World Youth Day, he vibrantly clapped his hands with them. 

Guess what birthday Padre Antonio celebrated this past July 27? His 92nd! I was so impressed with him that I was blown away, not just about all of his nice qualities but especially at that age to have such zeal, energy, enthusiasm, as well as competence. Then I went online to find out (no surprise to me) that he is all over the internet. He is a monsignor but never uses the title. He is praised by his bishop and others far and wide across his diocese and he is already a legend over there. 

The experience touched my heart. I am 71. I want to keep working, even though I could have retired last year. As long as God gives me my health, I want to keep ministering until at least the (present) mandatory retirement age of 75.

Padre Antonio gave me a sense of security and hope. It was a peak spiritual experience for me. It convinced me that I was to be in Italy for this reason — to meet this truly inspiring and holy priest. I had four Masses at Pentecost Saturday and Sunday and at each of them I preached all about Padre Antonio, i.e., about the manifestation of the Holy Spirit through him and his ministry. One of the signs of the Holy Spirit that we see every day is the vitality and energy of others — persons like Padre Antonio. As a younger priest, meeting him I was deeply moved. I have always been close to older priests ever since I was ordained — Father Anthony DeFranco, Father Michael Zakens, Father Frank Ciani, Father Paul Antos, Father Richard Dybas, Father George Brucker, Father Joe Barker, Father Albin Fusco, OFM, and Father Jim Mackey. I once took care of four of these men in the rectory at St. John’s.

Every other Monday I celebrate Mass at the Teresian House and also visit the resident priests there, spending about half an hour with them as a group. The whole experience in Ruviano moved my heart to see an older priest like Padre Antonio with so much life still in him at 92. When he started to clap with those kids, tears came streaming down my face.

Father Richard Carlino is pastor at St. Anthony’s and St. John the Evangelist in Schenectady and Schenectady Fire Chaplain.