In Loving Memory of
Fr. George Mattioni, O.A.R

“I will come back again and take you to myself,
so that where I am you also may be.”
Jn 14:3

No one is ever prepared to receive the news of the death of a family member or friend. There is shock and also a sense of loss. For many people, this was the situation upon hearing of the death of Fr. George Mattioni. Even though he was eighty-five years old and had not been in the greatest health, he was still full of life and energy.

When I heard of the news of his death, I was deeply saddened because Fr. George was a very important person in my life, especially when I was a student at Tagaste Monastery. He was not only a brother religious and a priest, but he was also my next-door neighbor for four years. After getting over the initial shock of his death, I was filled with a deep sense of gratitude to God for having known Fr. George. As I am sure it is the case with so many people, we all have our different experiences of Fr. George, so many stories and anecdotes, which make up the rich mosaic of his life.

My first memory of Fr. George was at Tagaste Monastery, when I was still discerning my vocation as an Augustinian Recollect. I was visiting for the Easter Triduum in 1994 and it was during that weekend that I first found out that Fr. George was a fan of the “Peanuts” comic strip and in particular of drawing pictures of Snoopy. Before I left on Easter Sunday afternoon, Father gave me one of his famous drawings. Over the years, those drawings would appear in many places, especially in the different offices and work spaces of Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern, New York, where Father was a hospital chaplain for many years.

One of Fr. George’s greatest gifts was his willingness to help and his availability to the students. Whenever we made a mistake or got in the way, he always ended up calling us “darn kids,” yet deep down we knew that he loved us and looked out for our well being. He always was telling a funny story or joke, leaving candy outside our doors or was available to talk to for a word of encouragement and “down to earth” advice or to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Anytime one of the students asked him for something, he never refused.

I was especially drawn to him because in certain ways, for me he was like a grandfather. Fr. George was fond of telling us what life was like way back when with his “war stories” or tales of life in the missions. Admittedly, he embellished every so often on the details and maybe made up a story now and then, but it was a joy to listen to him and always an occasion to get a laugh or two.

Most of all, what I will remember Fr. George for will be his dedication to his priesthood. Fr. George touched many hearts for more than fifty years of service as a priest. During my time as a student, as I volunteered at Good Samaritan Hospital, I was able to observe how Fr. George so easily opened up to people and helped them in their time of need. Whether it was in the missions, or in a parish, or as a hospital chaplain or even in retirement, Fr. George had a way of dealing with people and helping them grow closer to the Lord. It was a joy to celebrate with him in May of 2003 his 50th Anniversary of Priesthood, just a few short weeks before I was ordained a priest. The occasion was an outpouring of love on the part of so many people whom he had helped over the years and it was a testimony of his fidelity to the Lord, to the Church and to the Order.

So often, on returning home from school, as the van of students pulled into the driveway of Tagaste, the first person we saw, was Fr. George walking on the front porch as if he was waiting for someone. On August 20, the Lord came to him and brought Fr. George to Himself. It is my prayer that the Lord forgives Fr. George for whatever sins he may have committed through human weakness and richly reward him for his goodness, generosity and fidelity to his religious and priestly vocation. May he now be at peace in the warm embrace of the God he served throughout his life.

As one of the “darn kids” of Tagaste and as his former next-door neighbor, I will miss him greatly and ask him to pray for me as I try to continue to live my Augustinian Recollect and priestly vocation with fidelity and generosity.

50th Jubilee Celebration (l. to r.): Frs. John Gruben, George Mattioni, Frank Wilder.	Fr. George enjoying the company of some of the younger Mattioni clan.
Fr. George presiding at a family Baptism.

Fr. Michael J. Kenny, OAR
Mary Star of the Sea Church
Oxnard, California

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