This Blog is dedicated to our beloved Fr. Pucci.

Dear Barnabite Fathers, 
Family Members, 
Parishioners of St. James,  
and Friends of Fr. PUCCI: 

Greetings in the LORD of LIFE!

It was Saturday morning, Dec 11, 2010, when Fr. Frank Ruzza   informed me about the sudden death of our dear Barnabite confrere, Fr. Augusto Mary Pucci. I felt a deep sense of loss at hearing the sad news. The oldest member of our North American Province - the “patriarch” of the Province – has passed away in peace.  

As Catholics, we believe that DEATH never had and never will have the last word.  The last word belongs to God, the God of life, and the God of love. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (Jn 3, 16) Strengthen by these words we dare to stand at the casket not as fearful and downcast people, but as people who hope that the one who died is alive in the LORD.

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rom 8, 38-39) It is true that nothing - even death - can separate us from the people we love and esteem, like Fr. Pucci. 

The FR. AUGUSTO M. PUCCI, CRSP BLOG was created for you to share your stories and memories of Fr. Pucci, stories and memories of him which have become a precious part of your life. Make it known then to all what great things the LORD has done to you through Fr. Pucci. 

Sincerely in Christ, 

Very Rev. Robert B. Kosek, CRSP, Ph.D.

(Provincial Superior-North American Province) 

P.S. For your convenience you may also e-mail your stories and memories 
to barnabitespiritualcenter@gmail.com.  Thank you.

Interment of the body of Fr. Augusto Pucci, CRSP

Into your hands, Fathers of mercies,
we commend our brother Augusto 
in the sure and certain hope
that, together  with all who have died in Christ,
he will rise with him on the last day.


Merciful Lord,
turn toward us and listen to our prayers:
open the gates of paradise to your  servant
and help us who remain
to comfort one another with assurance of faith,
until we all meet in Christ
and are with you and with our brother for ever.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.


(From Order of Christian Funerals) 

The Beautiful Hands of a Priest.

Fr. Pucci's hands wrapped with a rosary beads  

We need them in life's early morning,

We need them again at its close;

We feel their warm clasp of true friendship,

We seek it while tasting life's woes.

When we come to this world we are sinful,

The greatest as well as the least.

And the hands that make us pure as angels

Are the beautiful hands of a priest.

At the altar each day we behold them,

And the hands of a king on his throne

Are not equal to them in their greatness

Their dignity stands alone.

For there in the stillness of morning

Ere the sun has emerged from the east,

There God rests between the pure fingers

Of the beautiful hands of a priest.

When we are tempted and wander

To pathways of shame and sin

'Tis the hand of a priest that absolve us.

Not once but again and again.

And when we are taking life's partner

Other hands may prepare us a feast

But the hands that will bless and unite us,

Are the beautiful hands of a priest.

God bless them and keep them all holy,

For the Host which their fingers caress,

What can a poor sinner do better

Than to ask Him who chose them to bless

When the death dews on our lids are falling,

May our courage and strength be increased

By seeing raised o'er us in blessing

The beautiful hands of a priest.

Fr. Pucci's 94th birthday (January 21 2010)

Happy Birthday Fr. Pucci!