By CatholicPhilly Staff • Posted May 6, 2024

Father Donald Miniscalco, C.Ss.R., a member of the St. John Neumann community at Stella Maris, Timonium, Maryland, died April 30, 2024, a few weeks ahead of his 81st birthday.

“Father Don” was born May 25, 1943 in Philadelphia, the son of Daniel and Mildred (Lagana). He was baptized at Our Lady of Pompei in Philadelphia, January 30, 1944 and confirmed at Holy Innocents on December 7, 1951. He attended St. Mary’s Minor Seminary in North East, PA before entering the Redemptorit novitate at St. Mary’s College, Ilchester, Maryland (1961).   He professed his temporary vows on August 2, 1962 and made his perpetual vows on September 2, 1965 at Mt. St. Alphonsus Seminary, Esopus, New York, where he was ordained on June 23, 1968. He studied philosophy both at Mt. St. Alphonsus, Esopus, and St. Alphonsus College, Suffield, Connecticut, earning a BA from the latter in 1965, and the BD and MRE degrees from Mt. Saint Alphonsus in 1968 and 1969, respectively.

Father Miniscalco served first at St. Mary’s, Buffalo (September 1969-April 1970) and St. Mary’s Seminary in North East, PA (April-September 1970). Father Miniscalco was sent to Rome to study patristics at the Augustinianum, from which he obtained a licentiate in sacred theology (STL) in 1973.

From there he pursued doctoral studies in patristic literature at the Institute Catholique de Paris, the Sorbonne University, and the Gregorian University in Rome (1970-1974).

He returned to the United States and taught patristics at Mt. St. Alphonsus Seminary (1974-1978). He took up parish work again at Most Holy Redeemer, New York City (1978-1979), and moved on to retreat ministry at San Alfonso Retreat House, West End, NJ (1979-1981).

From 1981 until 2020, he was engaged full time in mission preaching around the United States. He was especially sought after in the mid-Atlantic. In 2003, Pope St. John Paul bestowed the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal upon Father Miniscalco at the request of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in recognition of his labors in the new evangelization.

All services will take place in the upper church at Saint Peter the Apostle/ National Shrine of Saint John Neumann Shrine at 1019 North 5th Street, Philadelphia, PA.  The schedule is as follows: Monday, May 6, Visitation at 6:00 p.m. followed by Vigil Service at 7:30 p.m.; Tuesday, May 7, Visitation at 9:30 a.m. followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m.

Burial will follow at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Philadelphia.