Meet Father Salvatore, the young priest whose life moved the Pope
The life of Father Salvatore Mellone, who died on Monday 26th June 2015, was touching to thousands of people. He was to have at least two more years of seminary when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer, but by special permission and the blessing of Pope Francis, he was ordained nevertheless.
Fr. Mellone, who died June 29, 2015 at the age of 38, had been a priest of the Archdiocese of Trani-Barletta-Bisceglie for two and a half months. With his failing health, he was able to say Mass daily, baptize a child, and console the other sick persons at his hospital.
Two days before his April 16th 2015 ordination Fr. Mellone received a phone call from Pope Francis. “The first blessing that you’ll give as a priest, you’ll give to me. Salvatore, I’m with you. You ‘ll be ordained and you’ll celebrate Mass,” the Pope assured him over the phone.
At his ordination, Fr. Mellone said, “Today I feel myself carried on the shoulders of Christ; and as a priest I’ll wear the stole with Christ, for the salvation of the world. Moreover, to celebrate just one Eucharist, for me will be a real participation in the priesthood of Christ.”
Fr. Mellone’s funeral Mass was said June 30 2015 by Archbishop Giovanni Battista Pichierri of Trani at Most Holy Cross parish, where the priest was ordained.
A statement from the Trani archdiocese shortly after the priest’s death noted that he had a recurrent expression for “the many people who came to visit him over the last few months: ‘to be a priest is beautiful.’”
“Despite his illness, he always warmly embraced everyone who came to see him. He listened to what everyone had to say. He consoled everyone.”
According to the archdiocese’s statement, Fr. Mellone was born in Barletta, fewer than nine miles from Trani, on March 9, 1977. Both are located in Italy’s Apulia province, on the coast of the Adriatic Sea.
He came from an observant family, and was deeply involved in the life of the Church as a youth, entering seminary in 2011.
“Within the community he became a man of prayer, of deep spirituality, and of great cultural openness,” the archdiocese recounted. “During the last year Father Salvatore spent a lot of time in hospitals and despite his heartbreaking pain, he always found the time and the right words to encourage and inspire hope.”
“During the last days of his life, when his sight was going bad, he said that he had learned to pray with nature. With his weak voice, he constantly prayed to the rhythm of life that came into his room from the balcony,” the statement concluded.
Rest in perfect peace fr Salvatore and pray for me
that i live a life that glorifies GOD and blessed
Wish I had had the chance to be reconciled by you. Pray for me Father.
Truly inspirational!
The Vicar of Christ, who by lifting the spirits of this blessed priest, lifts us too upon Christ’s shoulders. Life with Christ in our hearts, is a life indeed.
God had His reasons. God bless this great Priest. Xx
Fr. Salvatore was gifted to serve God’s people as he did in the hospital giving them hope. And God fulfilled Fr. Savator’s need through his Holiness the Pope allowing him to be ordained priest.
Let us praise God. And may the Lord accept Fr. Salvatore in heaven and give us more servants with Fr.Savlvator’s spirit. Amen.
Rest in peace fr Salvatore
Rest in peace. May God receive ur soul
God bless Fr. Malone. God bless our Pope Francis.
Thank you Pope Francis! God bless you always???Eternal rest grant unto Fr. Malone O Lord and may perpetual light shine upon him. Rest in peace, gentle Fr. Salvatore Mellone. ???
It’s a lesson to young generation. May all who are servant of God follow the example. RIP Fr
may his soul rest in peace. Amen
Rest in Peace. An God be with you Amen
May his soul rest in perfect peace, amen.
Fr Malone … RIP
Eternal grant to Fr Salvatore Mellone o Lord and let pepertual shine upon him may he rest in peace Amen … Yes thanks to Pope Francis for forwarding Fr Salvatore’s ordination before the end… God bless Fr Salvatore … A very moving and inspiring story indeed… JG
God te Father embraces you… thank you..
May his gentle soul rest in peace Amen!!!!
thanks father…..
You are blessed and highly favoured by the Most High GOD. Pain is no more your portion Father Mellone as you rest in his Kingdom. May the blessings of th Lord be with you at all times in JMN…Amen.
May his soul rest in peace
Ur life is a gift to salvation of many. U have showed us what it means to have Christ in our hearts. We loved u but our Father in heaven loved u more
i WAS SO TOUCHED UPON READING FR. MELLIONE’S LIFE WHICH HE OFFERED TO GOD DURING HIS PRIESTHOOD, KNOWING HE WAS ORDAINED WITH CANCER. HE IS NOW WITH THE LORD AND PRAYING FOR ALL OF US HERE ON EARTH. THANKS POPE FRANCIS FOR ALLOWING HIM TO SERVE GOD.
God gives us a gift may we utilize it
He is really Blessed to say the Holy Mass, before his death
Fr. . Mellone , you’re now with the Almighty Father , Please pray for us, AMEN
May his dear soul rest in peace
You are blessed in The Lord. Resquicat in pace, Amen.
Rest in peace the mercy God grant him eternal life
May u rest in peace Fr. Mallone.
God could not be without him, we are sad. But we can have faith he is with Jesus, eternally being a Priest for the word of God. Bless his soul and those that he led. 🙁
Amen. Praise the LORD JESUS CHRIST. Ave Maria. Amen
God Bless this young man of God who lived his life for Almighty God