Father Xavier Vitacolonna, C.P., Passionist Priest, died peacefully November 7, 2012 at Long Island Jewish Hospital, New Hyde Park, NY. Born Francis Vitacolonna on March 22nd, 1927 in Philadelphia, PA. Son of Frank Vitacolonna and Catherine Santilla. His devoted sister is Nancy Sciandra, the wife of John Sciandra of Aston PA. Also survived by many devoted nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Frank Vitacolonna attended Saint Thomas More High School in Philadelphia and graduated in 1944. A year later he joined the US Navy and was honorably discharged in 1947. In 1949 he joined the Passionist Novitiate in Pittsburgh, PA and professed his vows as a Brother in 1950 at Saint Paul of the Cross Monastery.
As a Passionist Brother he served in many capacities: tailor, chef and formation director. He was instructor of Brother Novices and Postulants for ten years from 1957 to 1967. He was then appointed associate director of Professed Passionist Brothers from 1968 to 1969. That same year, 1969, he began his career as a foreign missionary heading of to Jamaica, West Indies. From 1970 to 1973 he was administrator of one of our parishes and a primary school. During that time he was also taking classes at Saint Michael’s Seminary, Kingston, Jamaica until his graduation in 1974.
On February 24, 1974, Bishop Edgerton Clarke ordained Xavier a priest at the Cathedral of the Diocese of Montego Bay.
After ordination Fr Xavier served the people of Saint Peter Claver Parish in a very poor area of Kingston. He was Pastor from 1974 to 1978.
The Province needed him back home so in 1978 he returned back to the USA and to Philadelphia where he was Director of our Students at Saint Michael’s Residence from 1978 to 1983.
From Philly he moved to Chicago in 1983. He served as Director of our Students at the Catholic Theological Union till 1985.
That same year he was appointed Pastor of Saint Joseph’s Monastery Parish in Baltimore.
He loved the people there and served them faithfully for almost 10 years until the Community of Saint Paul of the Cross Monastery, Pittsburgh, elected him Rector in 1994.
After finishing his term as Rector, Father Xavier enjoyed a brief sabbatical year. Then in 1999 he moved to Saint Michael’s Residence in Union City, New Jersey working in the Development Office. While there he often helped out at Saint Mary’s Parish in Colts Neck, New Jersey. He was stationed there briefly before arriving at Immaculate Conception Monastery, Jamaica, New York, a little over 5 months ago in June of this year. Donations may be sent to Immaculate Conception Monastery, 86-45 Edgerton Blvd, Jamaica, NY 11432. Or online at www.passionists.us
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