Bishop Marconi turns 99, marking half-century as bishop
On March 13, well-wishers gathered in Succasunna, NJ, to celebrate the 99th birthday of Bishop Emeritus Dominic A. Marconi, who this year also celebrates the 50th anniversary of his ordination as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Newark.
Among those who came to honor him were five auxiliary bishops from the Archdiocese of Newark — Bishop Elias R. Lorenzo, O.S.B., Bishop Manuel A. Cruz, Bishop Michael A. Saporito, Bishop Pedro Bismarck Chau, and Bishop Emeritus Gregory J. Studerus.
Father Charles Pinyan, Archdiocesan Vicar for Clergy, and Father Stanley Gomes, Director of Ministry to Retired Priests, also attended the celebration. They were joined by other clergy from the archdiocese and the Diocese of Paterson, friends, and family members.
“We’re all here to celebrate our brother, Bishop Dominic Marconi, who is 99 years young,” said Bishop Elias to open the festivities.
Bishop Marconi’s friends and admirers lined up to congratulate him, share their memories, and have their photos taken with a man known for his warmth and humility. Cake and refreshments were served, and there was music. Aida Gabriella and Aida Lionela, two sisters from Ecuador, surprised the gathering with a moving rendition of Schubert’s “Die Nebensonnen.” Later, everyone sang the “Salve Regina” in gratitude for the bishop emeritus’ 99 years and his long service to the archdiocese.
Serving God and those in need “one day at a time”
Bishop Emeritus Marconi was born in Newark, NJ, on March 13, 1927. His parents, Sabato and Antonetta, had emigrated from Italy to the US. They were deeply attached to the Catholic Church and brought him up in the faith.
“I was always an altar boy and enjoyed saying the Mass, and I desired to figure out what the Lord wanted from me,” Bishop Marconi told Jersey Catholic. “That’s how I entered the seminary and became a priest.”
After his ordination in 1953, Father Marconi served as associate pastor of Saint Anthony Parish in Union City. Assigned to the Archdiocese of Newark’s Family Life Apostolate in 1966, he became its director four years later. He also served as co-director of the Division for Services to the Elderly of Associated Catholic Charities and as Chaplain of the St. Joseph Home for the Blind in Jersey City.
For Bishop Marconi, however, the greatest joy of his ministry has always been “celebrating Mass each day,” which he called “a wonderful privilege.”
Ordained to the episcopacy in 1976, Auxiliary Bishop Marconi served the people of Union County as their regional bishop. He also sat on the boards of several Catholic institutions and on various committees for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Though Bishop Marconi retired in 2002, he remained active for years, frequently celebrating Confirmations across the archdiocese, visiting religious communities, and sharing his faith and insights. For those who struggle in life, his advice remains simple, but sage: “Just take one day at a time.”
Learning from a man of humility and wisdom
As the man who served as his Master of Ceremonies for many years, Father Dieuseul Adain, V.F., who attended the celebration, came to know Bishop Marconi well.
“He is a very good man, with a wonderful sense of humor,” said Father Adain, who currently serves as pastor of St. Michael’s Parish in Elizabeth. “We can all learn from him how to be humble.”
Father Adain praised Bishop Marconi for his appreciation of the rich cultural diversity present in the four counties of the Archdiocese of Newark.
“He always told me that those of us who come from other countries are a great gift to the archdiocese,” Father Adain said.
According to Father Adain, the bishop was a source of wise counsel.
“When my name was on the list to be a pastor, the bishop advised me to think carefully about where and how I should serve,” Father Adain recalled. “‘You speak English, you speak Spanish, you speak French and Creole,’ he told me. ‘What are you going to do with those languages? They are a gift to our archdiocese, and you must use them.’”
In addition to his pastoral duties, Father Adain now serves as the coordinator of the archdiocese’s Haitian Apostolate.
Tributes from his brother bishops
As the celebration ended, Newark’s auxiliary bishops reflected on the life of a man who has devoted most of his 99 years to serving God’s people, including half a century as one of the archdiocese’s shepherds.
Here are their memories and reflections:
“I’ve known Bishop Marconi for more than 30 years, since he was resident in the parish of St. Elizabeth of Hungary in Linden. At that time, the Benedictine monks of St. Mary’s Abbey staffed the parish. I was the prior of the monastery at the time and visited our monks regularly in their parish ministries. Bishop Marconi would often visit the monastery, spend holidays with us, holy days, festive meals, like the Feast of St. Benedict. He was always a brother at our table. And when I was named auxiliary bishop and Bishop Marconi found out that I was going to be the regional bishop for Union County, which he was for many years, he immediately called me up and came to the Abbey, not once, but on two occasions, to tell me everything that I needed to know about Union County, its parishes, and its schools. His mind was as sharp then as it is today, and we’re so grateful for his ministry, his support of our priests, and his zeal for the gospel.”
– Bishop Elias R. Lorenzo, OSB
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“When I came here from Cuba in 1966, Father Marconi, before becoming a bishop, used to come to St. Augustine’s in Union City to go over catechetical programs with us. In the mid-1970s, when he was ordained a bishop, he became a great example of a man of service with a deep passion for the Church. Bishop Marconi is also a man of prayer who has brought joy to the Church of Newark.”
– Bishop Manuel A. Cruz
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“Bishop Marconi has always been excited about presiding at the Sacrament of Confirmation and connecting with young people. He absolutely loves that. It’s a great honor to be with him today to celebrate an unbelievable birthday, his 99th, but also to give thanks for the gift of his priesthood and episcopal service. We are profoundly grateful to have him here with us.”
– Bishop Michael A. Saporito
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“I’ve known Bishop Marconi since 2007, when I moved to Linden, and his residence was at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish there. That was my parish—and now it is just amazing to be here celebrating 99 years with him. It’s also beautiful to see that we have a brother who has served as a priest for more than seven decades, and as a bishop for the Archdiocese of Newark for 50 years. To me, that is very inspiring.”
– Bishop Pedro Bismarck Chau
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“I remember Bishop Marconi for his great devotion to prayer, particularly to the ‘Centering Prayer’ and the great number of people in the diocese that he taught that to. It was a wonderful blessing for the archdiocese, what he did, even just by teaching people how to pray that way and promoting its use. And, of course, that was just one of his many wonderful works for the Church here.”
– Bishop Emeritus Gregory J. Studerus
To view more photos of Bishop Marconi’s life and his birthday celebration, click HERE.
Featured image: Bishop Emeritus Dominic A. Marconi celebrated his 99th birthday on March 13. He was joined by all the auxiliary bishops of the Archdiocese of Newark: (from left to right) Bishop Michael A. Saporito, Bishop Pedro Bismarck Chau, Bishop Emeritus Gregory J. Studerus, Bishop Elias R. Lorenzo, O.S.B., and Bishop Manuel A. Cruz. (Photo by John Touhey / Archdiocese of Newark)
