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June 6, 2001
Servite friar recalls 50 years of service
Priests, nuns, nurtured former pastor, scholar's vocation
By Roxanne King
As a faithful altar server, Father Gabriel Ramacciotti, O.S.M., had the privilege of taking a field trip to a brand new Servite seminary, St. Joseph's, nestled among the cornfields in St. Charles, Ill.
It made a profound impression on the boy, who already felt drawn to the priesthood. Between the seminary trip, the encouragement of the Servite friars shepherding his parish and that of the Dominican nuns who staffed his grade school, by the time he was a teen "Alfred," his given name, was certain of his call. After two years, he left high school to enter the minor seminary he had visited.
"The Servites influenced my decision," the now 74-year-old priest said of his medieval-born order whose name, Friar Servants of Mary, emphasizes their special charism — devotion to Mary.
In crediting the nuns who taught him, who he describes as "the greatest vocation recruiters" of the time, he added: "The nuns would say, `Young man, you're going to be a priest.'"
With a smile he noted, "My mother approved of that."
His father, Rizzieri Ramacciotti, died when Father Ramacciotti was 13, which left his mother, the former Emma Bianchi, to raise her son and two daughters alone. The couple were Italian immigrants whose extended family remained, for the most part, in the old country.
From St. Joseph's, the young seminarian went on to the Marianium in Rome, where he was ordained March 24, 1951, Holy Saturday, at San Marcello Church.
Although she had purchased her plane ticket, Emma was too ill to attend her son's ordination. But the occasion was festive nonetheless, with hordes of proud relatives in attendance.
An 11-day boat ride returned the newly ordained Father Ramacciotti back home in August. Battling cancer, Emma was so weak she had to be taken into the church on a gurney to attend her son's first Mass in his hometown.
"My first Mass (back home) was the only Mass she attended," Father Ramacciotti said, adding that after that he would take her Communion.
Two months later, she died. His mother had hidden just how sick she was while he was completing seminary life.
"She wanted me to finish," Father Ramacciotti said. "Here I am, umpteen years later."
Actually, 50 years later. Father Ramacciotti celebrated his golden jubilee at his parish, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in Welby, April 21. It is where he has spent the bulk of his priesthood — 17 years.
First assigned to teach Latin and philosophy at St. Joseph's Seminary, he later became novice master there, nurturing vocations. He then spent four years teaching theology at Our Lady of Riverside Seminary in California, where he also served as rector and vice provincial.
Two years were spent at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., earning a degree in philosophy. Following that, he was assigned to Assumption, where he spent two years as associate pastor. In 1967, he was sent back to California to serve as an associate pastor and director of adult education at St. Philip Benizi in Fullerton.
He returned to Assumption in 1979 and served as pastor for nine years. He then served as pastor at Mount Carmel for six years. In 1994 he returned to Assumption where he served as pastor until last year. He now serves as parochial vicar there.
"When you're here that long you get to see the children's children," Father Ramacciotti said. With a chuckle, he added, "I'm to the point where I'm marrying the kids I baptized."
Working with people, whether fostering new Servites or ministering to parishioners, has been the scholarly priest's great joy. His most difficult challenge? Keeping the parish school open.
"We're still here and we're still open," he said with a smile. "God came through."
Reading, taking long walks, providing spiritual direction for secular Servites, and celebrating Mass, keeps the studious priest busy.
Assumption pastor, Father Hugh Guentner, first met Father Ramacciotti when he was in high school — and Father Ramacciotti was rector.
"He was my teacher of Latin, history and Italian," Father Guentner said, adding that the two have had several assignments together since leaving St. Joseph's Seminary.
What most impresses the pastor about his longtime brother friar is his dedication.
"He is dedicated not only to the Church, but to the Servite order, very strongly," Father Guentner said.
Friend Shirley Wilson, a member of the secular Servite group at Assumption, agreed.
"He's very spiritual and traditional, which I love," Wilson said. "He has a great sense of humor. He's a delight to be around."
One habit in particular has endeared the priest to parishioners for years.
"He takes walks three times a day —regardless of the weather," Wilson said with mild amazement. With a laugh she added, "Even if it rains, you'll see him walking down the road."
One place he won't be walking to is Italy. Father Ramacciotti plans to make a trip to the medieval town of Lucca, near Tuscany, sometime this fall to celebrate his jubilee with the Italian relatives who attended his ordination.
"I have a lot of cousins there," he said with a smile. "They're waiting for me to have a celebration with them."
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