Reverend Ralph Anthony DiOrio, Jr.

Diocese of Worcester - Reverend Ralph Anthony DiOrio, Jr., age 94, referred to as the Healing Priest, founder and director of the Apostolate of Divine Mercy and Healing, died peacefully on Monday, January 20, 2025 at Life Care Center of Auburn. He was a priest for 68 years and was faithfully committed to celebrating Holy Mass daily and teaching the love story of Jesus with the ultimate goal of saving souls. Father Ralph will always be defined and remembered for his love of God and for how deeply he cared for all people, his holistic healing ministry and for all the good he did during his lifetime. Fr. Ralph, a noted evangelist and philanthropist, strived to bring faith, hope, love, and purpose to all whom he met. In doing so, he empowered, guided, and blessed ever so many people over time. He was truly a holy man of God to the very end.

His life's journey began in Providence, RI, on July 19, 1930. He was one of three children of the late Ralph Anthony DiOrio, Sr. and Ismalia Pazienza. His closest relatives include his sister, Jude Ann DiOrio, a brother Louis DiOrio and his wife Mary, along with many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, with an abundance of other relatives and friends throughout the world.

Fr. DiOrio's religious and academic training spanned a period of twelve years. At the age of 15, he entered the Minor Seminary of the Missionary Fathers of St. Charles Borromeo (a Scalabrini Order) in Chicago, IL. Upon his graduation, Fr. Ralph entered the Immaculate Conception Novitiate in Staten Island, NY, where he professed his first religious vows on October 7, 1950. Fr. Ralph, at age 23, went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts and Letters from St. Charles Seminary, before continuing on to the Sacred Heart Major seminary in Melrose Park, IL, where he completed four years of Sacred Theology. On June 1, 1957, Fr. Ralph was ordained a priest in Chicago, IL, after which time he was assigned pastoral jobs in both the United States and Canada. In 1961, he was given the job of Assistant Master of Novices at the Immaculate Conception Novitiate, located in Cornwell, NY, where he taught at nearby West Point Army Academy, West Point, NY. Ultimately, on March 29, 1968, Fr. Ralph chose to relocate closer to home, where he worked as a priest within the Diocese of Worcester, MA, until his retirement.

Education and knowledge were high priority for Fr. Ralph. In 1997, he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, Cum Laude from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. In 1992, Anna Maria College in Paxton, acknowledged him with an Honorary Doctorate in the Humanities. In 1972, Fr. Ralph received a Master's degree in education and psychology from Fitchburg State College, along with supplemental training in Social Work Psychology. Fr. Ralph then went on to further his studies at both the University of Ponce in Puerto Rico and at Worcester State University, Worcester, MA. He also held Massachusetts teaching certificates in Italian, Latin, and Spanish.

On Mother's Day 1976, Fr. Ralph was blessed with the gift of healing. After discernment, he established and directed the Apostolate of Divine Mercy and Healing, a non-profit charitable organization which continued for over 40 years.

The highlights of Fr. DiOrio's career are numerous. They include one memorable open-air service in India, where 250,000 were in attendance. His other open-air services throughout the world took him to Mexico, most of North America, Europe, India, the West Indes, The Leper Colony in Molokai, HI, Europe, and the Pacific. He also drew tremendously large crowds to the Worcester Memorial Auditorium, MA, Madison Square Garden, NY, Carnagie Hall, NY, and Las Vegas, NV. His philanthropic endeavors helped build a Children's Hospital in Alleppey, India, and a chapel for the nuns in St. Lucia. Fr. Ralph did many other charitable works in both the United States and abroad as well. He was fortunate to have had five encounters with Saint Pope John Paul II and Saint Mother Theresa, along with numerous celebrities during his lifetime.

Fr. DiOrio's holistic ministry of healing has been recognized and promulgated throughout the world. He has been featured in numerous magazines, newspaper articles and on Catholic, Protestant, and secular television programs. These include Unsolved Mysteries and That's Incredible. He was also an author of 11 books, numerous pamphlets, had an extensive media ministry, and website. Fr. Ralph initiated a local Italian radio program called The Catholic Hour, which he designed and directed from 1963 to 1967. In addition to his national and international crusade work, he also held many retreats and seminars. Because of his religious and humanitarian works, he has received numerous honors and awards.

Father Ralph was truly a luminary, who touched the lives of countless people throughout the world, and will be profoundly missed.

In lieu of flowers, you may honor Fr. Ralph's memory with a contribution to the Priest Retirement Fund, c/o Diocese of Worcester, 49 Elm Street, Worcester, MA 01609 or to his non-profit foundation called the Fr. Ralph A. DiOrio, Jr. Foundation, Inc., c/o Debra Seaman, 263 South Street, Auburn, MA 01501.

Family and friends can honor Fr. Ralph's life by gathering for visitation at St. Joseph's Church, 10 H. Putnam Road Ext., Charlton, MA from 3 - 7 PM on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, with a vigil at 7 PM. His funeral Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Robert J. McManus on Wednesday January 29th at 11 AM in the church. A private burial will follow. To leave a note of condolence or to share a fond memory, please visit https://brittonfuneralhomes.com