THOUGHT FOR TODAY BY
ST. ANTHONY ZACCARIA
If through perfect humility you will be able to know objec tively yourself, only then will you be.
Bethlehem, PA 18020
Vocation Stories
"...the spiritual life demands that you never turn back or stop going forward; but rather that, as soon as you taste it, you make progress day by day and, forgetting what lies behind, strain forward to what lies ahead" Anthony Mary Zaccaria, Sermon II
Vocation Story of Mr. "D" - Fr. Richard Delzingaro,CRSP
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.
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.
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 Delzingaro is ordained a priest by Bishop Henry Mansell of Buffalo
Fr. Richard celebrates his First Mass at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine
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
Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima
1023 Swann Road - P.O. Box 167
Youngstown, New York 14174-0167
Or send an e-mail inquiry to: BarnabitesUSA@fatimashrine.com
