Msgr. Mancini celebrates 40 years of priesthood

PROVIDENCE — On Sunday, April 29, the 40th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood, Msgr. Anthony Mancini celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul, where he has led the parish as rector for the last 14 years, and where he serves as director of the Gregorian Concert Choir.

Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, who was seated in choir for the Mass along with Auxiliary Bishop Robert C. Evans and Bishop Emeritus Louis E. Gelineau (who ordained then-Father Mancini in 1978), presented Msgr. Mancini with an Apostolic Blessing from Pope Francis.

“We thank you today in the name of the Lord Jesus, on behalf of the church, on behalf of the diocese for the wonderful service you have given in many different places and in many different ways, especially here in our beloved cathedral,” Bishop Tobin expressed to Msgr. Mancini before the end of the Mass, as he presented him with the Apostolic Blessing.

“You have helped so many of us over the years to praise God and to worship in spirit and in truth and for that we will always be deeply grateful,” he said. “There’s no more important thing that Catholics do than to celebrate the liturgy, and your devotion to the cathedral and to the music have helped all of us to lift up our hearts to the Lord and we are most grateful for that.”

Father Peter Mongeon, who has assisted Msgr. Mancini at the cathedral for the last 14 years, as well as for several years prior when both served at Holy Cross Church in Providence, delivered the homily.

Speaking from his wheelchair at the side of the altar, Father Mongeon told those gathered how much of an honor it was for him to preach at the special celebration.

“By his prayerful and dignified celebration of the sacraments, Msgr. Mancini repeatedly opens us up to God’s grace. That grace is the very sap flowing to us through the vine of Jesus, Our Lord,” he said.

“By the liturgical music which he both composes and conducts, Msgr. Mancini has shared God’s gifts to him so generously as to lift all of our hearts, minds and voices in praise of the one whom every gift has come, God Our Father.”

Father Mongeon added that by his careful stewardship of our material blessings, Msgr. Mancini has seen the cathedral through a beautiful restoration, noting how the fiber optic lighting which now illuminates the beautifully ornate ceiling turning the gaze of all who attend towards the heavens.

Following the Mass, all were invited downstairs to cathedral hall for a collation where Msgr. Mancini gathered with family members and friends to cut a cake decorated for the occasion.

Steve Mancini, a cousin of Msgr. Mancini, recalled in an interview with Rhode Island Catholic, the childhood days the two had shared in which the future cathedral rector would drape a sheet over a coffee table in his home on Gesler Street on Federal Hill and pretend to offer Mass as a priest. The future priest had even memorized all the prayers in Latin.

“He was very well impressed by Bishop [Russell] McVinney at a young age,” he said. “He would get two candles and put them on the table and we would have to sit like we were in church.”