Born April 2, 1938, Ordained May 31, 1964, Died February 10, 2002
This page is created for you: His friends, in order for us all to remember his life and work, and to share our inspiring stories and memories of his glorious works of love as a priest.
Msgr. Dalla Villa died suddenly, at the very end of delivering/speaking his Homily on the gospel of St. Matthew's Salt and Light of the earth, during his Sunday, February 10th, 12:30pm Mass at St. Agnes Church, New York City.
His beautiful, peaceful and graceful sudden passing in this manner shows the holiness, Light, and great love he was to God and to people in the world.
His beautiful, peaceful and graceful sudden passing in this manner shows the holiness, Light, and great love he was to God and to people in the world.
Scroll down to read some of the recent inspiring stories posted in the 'Comments' under these 2 posts.
Please feel free to leave your comments here. You are invited to share/post here, or to email your stories, memories, pictures of Msgr. Anthony Dalla Villa to: AnthonyDallaVillaTribute@gmail.com and they will be posted here to share his inspiring life.
In today's world, it is important to remember and to celebrate the lives of spiritual people, like Fr. Anthony, who CONTINUE to help us today and to also acknowledge special graces that we have received in our lives that are attributed to them.
Thank you,
~Lainie.
This page/site is in progress...
Often quoted by Msgr. Dalla Villa:
"What you are is God's gift to you; what you make of it is your gift to God". He also quoted this in his 1987 homily for Andy Warhol's Funeral Mass.
"Death gives Life it's fullest reality"
Fr. Anthony taught me how to be an Altar Boy when I turned 8 years old at St Dominic's in The Bronx. When I was almost 5 years old, he was summoned to my home because I had a very high fever, it was almost 105 degrees. He was starting to administer Last Rites, but then he took me up in his arms, and simply prayed to Jesus, begging mercy for me as he wept! The fever broke, and I recovered enough to get my tonsils yanked-out a few weeks later. Every year for about 20 years my parents built an Altar for St. Anthony in June. I clearly remember Fr. Anthony saying Mass in our home several times on St. Anthony's Feast Day June 13. Afterwards he would bless bread that we distributed to the neighborhood poor, friends, and family. Fr. Anthony taught us 3rd graders, how to pray the Rosary, and gave us glow-in-the-dark Rosaries Beads; what a treasure they were for me! If ever the image of The Lord Jesus Christ could be seen in a man, He was definitely seen in Fr. Anthony! He inspired me to consider his Vocation by his sheer humility, and love for people to serve them as Jesus Himself. Although I was not called to be a Priest, he inspired me to love God, our Blessed Mother, and even bullies at school. I lost touch with him when he left to go to Staten Island, but I never forgot him, or stopped loving him as the kind & caring shepherd he truly was. I miss him, and earnestly long to see him again on that Blest Heavenly Shore one blessed Day!
ReplyDeleteA beloved Altar Boy,
Anthony P.
Thank you very much for your inspiring words Tony! This is a beautiful example of the kind of holy and spiritual priest and person Fr. Anthony was- for all people. By reading your story, we can see in action his healing gifts. I know of other people who have expressed that he helped to save their life. He was there for all life events- be it medical or for people needing counseling/help/advice. He was a gifted therapist and healer.
DeleteIt is inspiring for people to know that his funeral at St. Patrick's was attended by literally hundreds of people! People applauded as his casket was raised by the pallbearers and went down the center aisle of the Cathedral.
His yearly Memorial masses were attended by hundreds of people as well. There are so many truly amazing memories and stories that countless people have of Msgr. Dalla Villa. My hope is that people will continue to write and share their stories of him. We need to be inspired and reminded of people who truly Shine in this world, as beacons of light, as he did. As Dr. Fran said in her essay above- He would appear at just the right moment to people, before and at/during major life events- like surgeries, etc. He had both a healing and energetic presence. He had a great sense of humor and was keenly wise. He often said in his homilies that we should never claim to be "Know it alls"- that we should continually be learning our whole lives- and the learning never stops". He was the Real deal- a truly spiritual person.
He had the remarkable ability to Love all people- regardless of their background (As Christ did) - and he wanted to bring God to people. He truly had Christlike presence- just ask the countless people who have these kinds of amazing/inspiring stories about him! We who knew him can testify with our many stories, and we will continue to pass on his inspiring words and way of life.
One such example: He radiated with Great Light during the Liturgy of the Eucharist. He was truly Real, Present and Committed in his words and prayers during the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Going through the motions/phoning it in/or speeding through was not part of his vocabulary. He had an intensity of Light, Love and Real Commitment rarely seen. We who experienced and saw this-know. Every part of the Mass was Real and made alive. And people could Hear Christ's Voice in his words and speech. He spoke slowly and clearly, and those who heard him heard the Love- and we know.
There are many people who will never be acknowledged on this earth- and in these modern times- as 'saints', or 'holy people'. But we who really knew Fr. Anthony, who was a role model/mentor/true sign of Christ's presence, when asked about him- We truly know the answer to that question.
Lianie,
ReplyDeleteSorry I took so long to get back here. Thank you for your kind acknowledgment, and encouragement. Among all the Priests that I have met, known, & been ministered to by, Fr. Anthony still, after all these many years later, stands out the most. And you are absolutely right in how you described his uncanny ability to counsel people. As I mentioned in passing before, about how that he taught & inspired me to learn how to "love my enemy", the "bully" in my 3thrd grade class at St.Dominic's School in Da'Bronx. The time he took, the patience he had, the understanding he exhibted, his genuine concern, and wise guidance got me out of a hard jam both with my teacher and the "bully". I honestly believe that every Diocesan Bishop, Priest, & Decon should read & study the life of Fr. Anthony. But I've been told that you can niether teach nor impart spirituality. I am sorry that I am/was not unable to attend any of his memorial masses. Are they still being held? If so is there any way to veiw it. I am now in Pensacola, FL, and not very able to travel. God bless you Lainie for your efforts & labour to keep the precious memory of such a dear man of God alive.
Tuesday, Feb 4, 2014~ Thank you Joseph B. for your Comment below:
ReplyDelete"I am pleased that so many people had such great memories of Father. I have for a while been inclined to pray to him when I have fallen into temptation and he has helped me. I only know him from the many masses of his at St Patrick's that I attended during lunch hour. I was always impressed with his knowledge of spiritual matters and I have always considered his homilies the best of any one person I had heard. I was always inspired by his spirituality and knew that this was a holy man. From reading other people's postings, now I know even more how great he was. I have always had his picture from his obituary in the top drawer of my nightstand to look into his eyes patiently knowing that I hope to get to heaven to thank him for his help and inspiration. " ( Joseph B. )
I was a student at St Dominic's when I first met Fr. Anthony, after I graduated I stayed in touch with him and visited him often over the years while he was at St Patrick's. He was a wonderful priest and a wonderful friend. He was a true and loving person, everyone who had the honor of meeting him knew this from the moment he said hello. He honored me the most when he officiated over my marriage and returned to the Bronx to do so. I miss him, I miss our talks, our visits but most of all our friendship. I think of him fondly and often and of his great presense he was in my life. He was a light, that will never diminish.
ReplyDeleteI AM NOW 80 SAME AGE AS FATHER ANTHONY, HE SAVED ME AND MY FAMILY FROM A DIFFICULT SITUATION, AS IF IT WAS NOTHING...I WORKED WITH HIM AT ST DOMINICS CHURCH AND SCHOOL; FIRST AS A PARISHIONER, AND PARENT TEACHER ASS. PRESIDENT...I BELIEVE HE WAS THE BEST OF THE BEST......XOXO
ReplyDeleteIt’s been so many years since Fr Anthony passed. I think of him all the time. He was very good to my family. And very close to us. He came for dinners at my house. My mom would make crab sauce especially for him and my dad to enjoy together. Through the many difficult times our family went through Fr Anthony was always a there for support. I went to church at Our Lady Queen of Peace in Staten Island. To his mass. But he was so much more to us. He was in fact an extension of our family. He counseled me during my younger years during my own difficulties. He was just always available to us. What a great comfort to have him so close to us. And he performed my brothers wedding ceremony at St Patrick’s Cathedral. That was truly a beautiful day. I could go on and on about Father. I last saw him at my mothers funeral where he spoke so beautifully it brought us to tears but also gave us peace. He was wonderful. A truly gentle and loving soul. I will never forget him. ♥️
ReplyDelete