BishopAccountability.org
Biography of Father Joseph Romani

St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church
No Date

http://www.stpeterschurchportland.org/pastors.html

Biography of Father Joseph Romani

Joseph Romani was born in Torino, Italy. He was a son of Giacinto and Adlina Romani. His mother died when Joseph and his brother Mario were young and their father was in the Italian Army so Father Romani and his brother attended the Oratory of St. John Bosco, a school of the Salesian Fathers. On October 30, 1924 Joseph Romani sailed into New York harbor aboard the Cristoforo Columbo. He entered the Novitiate of the Salesians in New Rochelle, NY and completed courses in Goshen, NY. He taught and theology and scripture in San Francisco and Watsonville California, in Arizona and in Santa Tecia, El Salvador.

On December 21, 1934 he was ordained a priest in Menlo Park, California. He transferred to Newton, New Jersey in 1937 and served there until he became ill in 1944. Prior to coming to Maine, he also taught theology scripture at Don Bosco College, Newton, NJ. Father Romani came to St. Peter's Parish in Portland Maine in 1945. From that time until 1967, he served as assistant pastor of St. Peter's.

When age and failing health caused Monsignor DiMingo to retire, Father Romani was appointed pastor of St. Peter's Parish by Bishop Peter Gerety on March 19, 1967.

Father Romani wrote a bi-weekly column about the Blessed Mother for the Church World, the diocesan newspaper and always enjoyed reading religious material about the lives of the saints. Father Romani was Chaplain of the Portland Knights of Columbus and confessor to the sisters at the St. Joseph's Home for the aged, later named St. Joseph's Manor. He also served as Chaplain of the Catholic Literary Guild.

Father Romani retired as pastor of St. Peter's Parish on June 25, 1983 after serving the people of our parish for over 38 years, including 16 years as pastor.

Father Romani died on May 16, 2001 at the age of 93.


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