Rev. Father Luigi M. Gandolfi, cs

Rev. Father Luigi M. Gandolfi, cs passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 5, 2021 at Villa Scalabrini, in Sun Valley, California at the Golden at of 83.

Rev. Luigi M. Gandolfi, cs, a priest of the Missionaries of St. Charles / Scalabrinians, was born on Oct. 14th, 1945 in Piacenza Italia; the son of the late Tullio Gandolfi and Archilde M. (nee Facchini) Gandolfi, and loving brother to Giampiero and the late Emilio. He was ordained a Roman Catholic Priest on April 27th, 1963 in Staten Island, NY.

Having completed his priestly training at St. Charles Seminary in Staten Island NY, he pursued degrees in Classical Languages from the University of Columbia and the University of Chicago. He also held an MA in counseling from ITESO in Guadalajara Mexico.

During his first missionary assignments, Fr. Gandolfi taught Greek and Latin at the Scalabrinian Seminaries in United States. He then served as Associate Pastor in several Parishes of the Province. He dedicated most of his life in the field of formation as Rector and Master of Novices in different formation houses of the Religious Order, both in USA and Mexico.  He served as Pastor of Santa Maria Addolorata Parish in Chicago and Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Melrose Park IL. He ministered at St. Peter’s Italian Church in Los Angeles before retiring to Villa Scalabrini in Sun Valley, CA, where he died peacefully on August 5th, surrounded by his Scalabrinian confreres.

Fr. Luigi will be remembered as a great Missionary; a man who never failed to trust the goodness of the human spirit. He was a committed Priest who found true delight in celebrating the sacraments and preaching the Word of God. He dedicated his life to the formation of future Scalabrinian Missionaries in the Church with passion and total confidence in the goodness of the human heart. He strived to form a strong Christian character on those entrusted to his care and never grew discouraged when faced with challenges in his ministry. He was also a great musician whose knowledge and passion made it possible for many to find in music and singing a way to encounter God.

No doubt that Fr. Gandolfi will be remembered for his filial devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and profound love for Blessed John Baptist Scalabrini, founder of the Missionary Congregation he belonged to. His keen and elegant sense of humor was very much appreciated by those who knew him and were graced with his presence. His strong belief in universal brotherhood and sisterhood always moved him to serve those in need, especially the migrants, regardless of ethnical origin or language barriers.

A missionary, who left his homeland to serve in distant countries, he spent his life witnessing to the values of the Gospel and sowing in the lives of those he encountered the seed of the Good News of Jesus Christ. A faithful son of the Church and a courageous man of faith has now returned home to the heart of our Father in Heaven.

Family and Friends are to gather for the Visitation on Sunday, August 22, 2021 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 1101 N. 23rd Avenue, Melrose Park, Illinois. Visitation from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Mass in Spanish Celebrated promptly at 5:00 p.m. till 6:00 p.m. Visitation from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. At 7:30 p.m. Followed by a Liturgical Service in English until end of Visitation at 8:00 p.m. Funeral to follow Monday, August 23, 2021 at the Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, There will be a 1 hour Visitation from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., immediately followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated promptly at 10:00 a.m. Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside, Illinois. For additional information call (708) 449-5300. Please visit Rev. Father Luigi’s personal tribute website at www.russohillsidechapels.com and sign his guestbook. In Lieu of Flowers Donations to the Scalabrinians are greatly appreciated! All Donations collected will go to Assisting Our Mission.

FACE MASKS ARE STRONGLY RECOMMENDED FOR ALL VACCINATED & NON VACCINATED GUESTS.