Reverend Thomas A. DiLorenzo

"Well done, good and faithful servant; ... enter into the joy of your master." — Matthew 25:23

Reverend Thomas A. DiLorenzo, age 79, Senior Priest in Residence at St. John the Baptist and St. Joseph Parishes in Quincy, fell asleep in the Lord on February 23, 2026. May his soul rest in the peace of Jesus Christ whom he so faithfully loved and served and may he rejoice in Glory forever.

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart..." — Jeremiah 1:5

Fr. Tom DiLorenzo was born on September 29, 1946, in East Boston, Massachusetts, the beloved son of the late Rose (DiLorenzo) and Vincent DiLorenzo, and devoted brother of the late Anthony V. DiLorenzo. He was a loving cousin to Mary E. Campanella and her husband Joseph of Everett, and Paul T. Follo and his wife Lori of Everett, and is also survived by many much-loved cousins, extended family members, and a wide circle of friends who knew his generous heart. Soon after graduating from Salem State College Fr. Tom responded with generosity to the Lord and entered St. John's Seminary. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Boston on September 15, 1979 by Cardinal Humberto Medeiros. He served faithfully in parishes across the Archdiocese, most notably in Quincy, Peabody, and Winthrop. Under his administration, Holy Rosary Parish in Winthrop became a home for the sick, suffering, lost, broken, outcast, zealous, and faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. Most recently Fr. Tom ministered with love and mercy as a Senior Priest in Residence at St. John the Baptist and St. Joseph Parish in Quincy.

"If you have faith as small as a mustard seed... nothing will be impossible for you." — Matthew 17:20

From his earliest years, Fr. Tom met Jesus and experienced the power of His Holy Spirit living in the world, in him, and in all Christians. He often recalled a moment as a young boy when he read in Scripture of the power of the name of Jesus. On vacation at a lake with his family he made his way to the shore. The wind was strong - a storm of sorts was brewing. With the confidence of a child of God he proclaimed, "In the name of Jesus I command the wind to stop." And it did. There is no secret or extraordinary gift in the life of Fr. Tom. Everyone is capable of the same. In Faith, he believed what Jesus said to be true, and he did what Jesus asked. We can do the same.

"For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ—and Him crucified." — 1 Corinthians 2:2

Fr. Tom embraced his priestly vocation with a singular focus on Jesus and the Cross. The Cross is the answer. Everyone, Fr. Tom included, endures suffering. Where else can we go but the Cross. From the Cross, and through His pierced side, flows the Sacraments and all grace, healing, redemption, reconciliation, mercy, hope, and eternal life. Fr. Tom was always carrying the Cross with and for people. A man and priest deeply in love with Jesus Christ, he brought everyone into the wonder and salvation of the Pascal Mystery. He knew and proclaimed that while in your life it may feel like Good Friday, know that Sunday is coming!

"I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching."— 2 Timothy 4:1-2

Fr. Tom embraced the prophetic responsibility that comes with being a disciple and priest of Jesus Christ. In 1984 he founded the radio ministry In Season and Out of Season, broadcasting across multiple stations nationwide and on cable outlets throughout New England, most especially WROL 950AM and WEZE 590AM. His preaching flowed from his love of Scripture and was enlivened by the Holy Spirit, inviting listeners to deeper conversion, prayer, and steadfast love for Jesus. His proclamation of the saving Truth, and healing mercy, of Jesus Christ extended beyond the parish pulpit; radio microphone; and the hundreds of retreats, revivals, and worship nights he led. Throughout his life Fr. Tom would be preaching and praying for healing on the beaches of Quincy, in the aisles of Market Basket, waiting for the next teller at the bank, in elevators, planes, restaurants, and even during karaoke. Fr. Tom longed for everyone to know Jesus Christ, and that they would experience personally his love, mercy, healing, and salvation.

"For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." — Romans 8:38-39

No one is excluded from the merciful love of God. No one was excluded from the prayer, love, attention, and life of Fr. Tom. As he always said, "Jesus will never reject you!" He championed the dignity of each person as a beloved child of God, particularly reaching out to the suffering, the outcast, and those forgotten by the world. From the kitchen of Holy Rosary, he and so many volunteers would prepare baked chicken legs, make sandwiches, and gather clothes and socks to bring the poor in greater Boston. Fr. Tom would feed bellies and then souls with the Word of God and the healing touch of Jesus. Extending far beyond even Boston, anyone who was sick, suffering, or alone knew they could make their way to Holy Rosary Parish - to Fr. Tom DiLorenzo - and he would welcome them, feed them (especially with his healing meatballs), pray with them, and beg the Lord with them for healing and peace. Time, money, convenience, comfort meant nothing to Fr. Tom as he received and loved, as a priest of Jesus Christ, everyone who came to him. His healing ministry — grounded in prayer, compassion, and an unwavering belief in Christ's transformative love — brought hope and comfort to all. He never tired of witnessing to the power of Jesus, His Cross, and His Church to bring healing and mercy into the world and into peoples' lives. His gifts, his faith, and his love of Jesus he desired always to give away. He spoke to everyone who would listen: you too can do the same. He took to heart those final words of the Blessed Mother: "Do whatever he tells you." He urged all, listen to the words of Jesus and follow them. See what God does with you.

*****

There will be a Glory Night held on Wednesday, March 4, from 7 - 10 p.m. at Saint John the Baptist Church, 44 School Street, Quincy. This will be an evening of testimonies and worship in thanksgiving to God for Fr. Tom DiLorenzo's priestly ministry. Father Tom will lie in repose in this same church on Thursday, March 5, from 3 - 7 p.m. A Concelebrated Funeral Mass will take place at Saint John the Baptist Church on Friday, March 6, at 11 a.m. The Principal Celebrant will be Most Reverend Richard G. Henning, Archbishop of Boston. Preceding the Mass will be a time of prayer and praise from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. The Rite of Committal will immediately follow the Funeral Mass at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.

For those who wish, donations in Father Tom's memory may be made to In Season and Out of Season, P.O. Box 602, East Boston, MA 02128.

Arrangements under the direction of the Sweeney Brothers Home for Funerals, 1 Independence Avenue, Quincy. You are invited to visit www.thesweeneybrothers.com or call 617-472-6344.