On Monday he passed away at Terni, his old See (he retired during the Holy Year 2000).
Bishop Gualdrini in retirement had been the sacristan of the Basilica of St. Mary Major. He was the only bishop-sacristan I ever knew and of all the countless times I saw him he was always in the Roman cassock with episcopal zucchetto. A fine priest. It was great to have him there these recent years. He added a lot. Once he saw a teenage friend of mine in her mantilla at Mary Major and asked to pose for a photo with her he was so delighted.
Requiem!
I lived at the house Msgr. Gualdrini founded at Rome for laywomen studying theology. He was a fine man and a fine priest, and way ahead of his time. God grant him rest.
ReplyDeleteMargie Romano Hogan