By Elena Perri • Posted September 16, 2024

Although Msgr. John Savinski has been a priest in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for more than 53 years and retired as a pastor four years ago, the amount of energy he continues to bring to his vocation is impressive.

“He’s like the Energizer Bunny,” said Chris Powers, who worked alongside Msgr. Savinski as the business and office manager at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Morton for 17 years. “He has the same excitement for the priesthood that he did when he entered the seminary. His devotion to his vocation has not waned at all.”

Msgr. Savinski, who was ordained in 1971, served as a theology teacher at Bishop Shanahan High School in Downingtown and as a parochial vicar at Sacred Heart Parish in Havertown and St. Pius X Parish in Broomall. He was pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish for 17 years before “retiring” in 2020.

He still serves as a faculty member and spiritual director at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. In those roles, he has provided a model of priestly service and spirituality for generations of seminarians  from dioceses and religious orders across the country.

He is also the current Master of Ceremonies for Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez, diligently planning liturgies, preparing for the celebrations, training liturgical ministers, and greeting the faithful afterward.

In recognition of his distinguished service to the Archdiocese, Pope Francis bestowed a papal honor upon Msgr. Savinski this summer. Archbishop Pérez will present the Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (Cross for the Church and Pontiff) to Msgr. Savinski during a Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on Sunday, Sept. 22.

The papal award was established by Pope Leo XIII in 1888. The certificate that accompanies the cross-shaped medal explains that it was “established especially for those who have notably performed with great zeal outstanding works for the Church and the Pontiff.”

Msgr. Savinski was preparing to serve as master of ceremonies for a Mass in the Cathedral Chapel when Archbishop Pérez surprised him with the good news that he was receiving a papal honor.

“He tells me about the award, and I just stood there; I had nothing to say,” Msgr. Savinski said. “We went to celebrate the Mass, and I’m thinking, ‘What did he just tell me?’”

Choosing Our Lady of Perpetual Help as the location for his celebratory Mass was an easy decision for Msgr. Savinski.

“I see it as a wonderful honor personally, but I look at it as an honor for the Church of Philadelphia and for the parish where I was stationed for 17 years,” he said. “The parishioners are very excited, and they’re looking forward to the Mass.”

Humility is a fundamental quality that Msgr. Savinski brings to his priestly ministry.

“He’s truly a humble servant,” said Auxiliary Bishop Keith Chylinski, rector of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. “He’s singularly focused on serving the Lord and helping others. His example impacts everyone who meets him, especially future priests, because that’s really the model of what Christ calls us to.”

Father Brandon Artman, parochial administrator of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, added that Msgr. Savinski emphasized to him that the papal award is for the parishioners.

“He told me, ‘I want this to be for the parishioners because they need to receive this award as much as I do,’” Father Artman said. “That shows just how humble and selfless he is.”

Bishop Chylinski noted the positive impact that Msgr. Savinski has had on many priests in the Archdiocese.

“He’s been involved in the formation of over two generations’ worth of priests, which is incredible,” the rector said. “He’s universally considered an exemplary model of a priest.”

Father Artman, who served at OLPH while he was a seminarian, added that Msgr. Savinski’s work ethic makes him an ideal role model.

“He didn’t hesitate to drop what he was doing to go anoint someone or visit a sick person,” Father Artman said. “I’ve tried to model myself after him too, to be there for every person and to be the face of Christ to everyone.”

For Msgr. Savinski, his 53 years as a priest have been particularly satisfying.

“I’ve been very happy as a priest,” he said. “No matter what I get involved in, I’ve never been bored. I always enjoy doing the best I can with whatever the Lord asks me to do.”

Msgr. Savinski’s dedication to the priesthood is inspiring to those who have worked alongside him.

“His energy is a sign that love keeps us young,” Bishop Chylinski said. “He’s a man who loves God and loves his Church, and he has done both to the best of his ability his whole life.”

Father Artman said he admires the effort that Msgr. Savinski puts into everything he does as a priest.

“The Archbishop made a comment one time that he’s one of the hardest working priests we have, and he’s retired, and he’s still one of the hardest working priests,” Father Artman said. “He just keeps going and going, and he never stops.”

“He truly is the hardest working retired guy I know,” Chris Powers added. “There is no one who is more deserving of this award than Monsignor.”