BRIDGEPORT—Reverend Carducci D’Amico, born on November 1, 1935, returned to his Heavenly Father on Friday, November 23, 2018 in Cercemaggiore, in the province of Campobasso. Italy.
“Many in the Bridgeport area fondly remember Fr. D’Amico for his energy, vision and commitment to the renewal of St. Margaret Shrine,” said Bishop Frank J. Caggiano. “Please pray for the repose of the soul of Father D’Amico and the consolation of his family.”
Fr. D’Amico served at St. Raphael/St. Margaret Shrine from 1977 to 2006, becoming pastor in 1984. It was his vision to begin the St. Anthony Feast at the Shrine in 1978. Many parishioners remember that he used his own talents as a carpenter and mason to begin the restoration of the original chapel and ground of the Shrine.
In 1973, Fr. D’Amico was welcomed into the Diocese of Bridgeport as assistant to the late Msgr. David Bannon, pastor of St. Peter Church in Bridgeport. He also served as associate pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Stamford.
“As your pastor, I have tried to devote all of my energies to the service of St. Raphael/St. Margaret parish. I have been given a precious heritage and the inspiring example of many holy priests, sisters and laity. Encouraged by their untiring zeal and generous commitment, I have tried in my own way to build a community of faith within our church,” Fr. D’Amico wrote on the occasion of his Silver Jubilee as a priest in March, 1989.
He entered the Seminary of the Somascan Order in Corbetta, Milano at the age of thirteen. There he completed his secondary school studies and in 1954 professed vows in the Order of St. Jerome Emiliani. Fr. D’Amico obtained a degree in philosophy and went on to attend the School of Theology at Saint Anselm University on the Aventino Hill in Rome. On March 14, 1964, he was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Giuseppe Ferretto in the Basilica of Saint Alessio.
Fr. D’Amico retired on March 12, 2009 and returned to Italy, where he resided in his last years.
Fr. Giandomenico Flora will celebrate a Memorial Mass for Father Carducci S. D’Amico at St. Margaret Shrine, 2523 Park Avenue, Bridgeport on Saturday, December 1, 2018 at 5:30 pm. All are welcome to attend the Memorial Mass.
