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Rev. Mario J. ‘Paul’ Porreca, O.S.A. (1913 - 1989)

Rev. Mario J. “Paul” Porreca, O.S.A. entered eternal life December 19, 1989.

Mario Joseph Porreca was born July 2, 1913 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Domenic and Vincenza (Luonghi) Porreca. He had two sisters and one brother. He was Baptized April 16, 1916 at St. Rita Catholic Church, Philadelphia.

Mario received his elementary education at St. Rita Catholic School, Philadelphia. He did his high school studies at Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York, earning his diploma in 1932.

He was received into the Augustinian Novitiate September 9, 1932. He professed simple (temporary) vows in the Order of St. Augustine September 11, 1933, and solemn (permanent) vows September 11, 1936.

He earned a B.A. in Philosophy from Villanova College, Villanova, Pennsylvania, in 1937. He pursued theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C., from 1937 to 1941. He was ordained a Priest June 10, 1940. While studying Theology, he also did graduate studies at Catholic University of America, Washington, earning in 1941 an M.A. in Psychology.

Father Porreca's first assignment was in 1941 to the newly formed Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel (Augustinians of the Midwest). He was assigned to St. Rita High School, Chicago, Illinois, as a Teacher. In 1943 he became a Teacher at St. Thomas High School, Rockford, Illinois. He was transferred in 1948 to Cascia Hall School, Tulsa, Oklahoma, as a Teacher.

In 1963 Father Porreca returned to St. Rita High School, Chicago, as a Teacher. In 1968 he was transferred to Augustinian Academy, St. Louis, Missouri, as a Teacher. He again taught at Cascia Hall, Tulsa from 1969 to 1971, when he resumed teaching at St. Rita High School, Chicago.

After reaching the age of 70, he became a Senior Friar, which allowed him to have a less demanding ministerial schedule. During these years his ministry included counseling students and serving as a Chaplain at St. Rita High School, Chicago.

During the night of December 19, 1989, Father Porreca suffered a coronary occlusion and died in his sleep.

He is buried in the Augustinian plot at Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.

Memorial gifts may be made to Augustinian Guild, 5401 S. Cornell Ave., Chicago, IL 60615-5664, or via Augustinian Guild Secure On-line Giving.