Richard Delzingaro
Hi! I'm Father Richard M. Delzingaro, a Barnabite priest.
I was ordained a priest on April 12, 1996, at the respectable
age of 56.
Why? And why so late in my life?
I won't blame you if you find yourself thinking, "This guy
probably failed in life and very conveniently has decided to
live the easy life of a priest!"
Believe me, the truth is quite different.
I had a very good and well paid job as an English teacher at
the Council Rock High School in Newtown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
Was I fed up with school and kids? Was I tired of being in a
classroom day after day? Not at all. I really loved teaching.
And even now, once in a while, I miss the classroom.
 By
the way...here are some pictures of me some thirty years ago.
In 1968 I was named "teacher of the year." This
recognition was a great honor.
Here are some pictures of my ordination to the priesthood and
my Mass of thanksgiving at Our
Lady of Fatima National Shrine-Basilica in Lewiston, N.Y.
Fr. Richard is ordained a priest by Bishop
Henry Mansell of Buffalo
Fr. Richard celebrates his First Mass at Our
Lady of Fatima Shrine
So, why did I enter religious life as a second career-vocation?
I cannot fully explain it, but at a certain point in my life
I felt the mysterious call of God to leave everything - my comfortable
and fulfilling life as a teacher - and to give myself totally
in service to Him and His people.
After a long period of discernment I finally decided to take
that leap forward and asked to be accepted into the Barnabite
Order.
Why the Barnabite Order?
Even today I'm not sure why the Barnabites and I connected. But
the vocational catch-phrase of the North American Province, "The
light of Christ, the lightning of Paul" attracted me to
the openended apostolate of the Order. Barnabite spirituality,
animated by the vision of our founder, offers freedom and encouragement
to find the way to God and in the spirit of the Apostle Paul
to bring others to God through service in Christ. I came to the
realization at my solemn profession that the call to the Barnabites
was to me but not for me - and that the call was
to serve others.
If you are interested in Religious Life - especially as a
Barnabite Priest or Brother - and you want to know more about
our Order and Spirituality, tour our Web Site.
Read about our Formation Program. Write
to the community closest to you either here in our North
American Province or elsewhere.
You may also write to me personally at
Barnabite Spiritual Center
4301 Hecktown Road
Bethlehem, PA 18020
Or send an e-mail inquiry to: BarnabitesUSA@fatimashrine.com |
