TERTIUS ORDO REGULARIS SANCTI FRANCISCI

Prot. Nº 040/2012
TERTIUS ORDO REGULARIS SANCTI FRANCISCI
SECRETARIUS GENERALIS
Subject: Death of Fr. Domenico Formica, TOR
Province of St. Francis of Assisi, Italy
We have received word that our brother,
FR. DOMENICO FORMICA, TOR
BASILICA DEI SANTI COSMA E DAMIANO - VIA DEI FORI IMPERIALI, 1 – 00186 ROMA - ITALIA
TEL. E FAX: 06 69 20 44 60 – E-mail: tor-sec.gen@tiscali.it
June 1, 2012
was called to the house of the Lord in our friary in San Ginesio (Macerata) during the night of
May 28 – 29, 2012, at the age of 98.
Fr. Domenico was born at San Ginesio on November 30, 1914, the son of Angelo and
Maria Bonelli. He entered religious life on October 20, 1928, and pursued his studies of
humanities, philosophy and theology at Francavilla, San Ginesio and Rome. He professed his
Simple Vows on September 22, 1932, and his Solemn Vows on December 1, 1935. Fr.
Domenico was ordained to the prieshood on August 14, 1938. He has been a “homo alterius
saeculi,” in the literal sense of the expression.
After a time of pastoral service experience at the parish of Sts. Comas and Damian in
Rome as a young priest, Fr. Domenico worked for vocations and taught humanities at the
minor seminaries in Massa Martana and San Ginesio. In addition to his teaching duties he
also provided spiritual direction to the students and joined them in their manual work and
play. For a brief period he also served as the Cleric Master in Assisi.

Fr. Domenico spent most of his life of pastoral ministry as a pastor or as an associate
pastor. As an authentic “country curate” he developed a long and incisive catechetical work
among humble working people - at Massa Martana in his 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s and at San
Ginesio in his 80s and 90s.
At Massa Martana he devoted his priestly zeal at the parish in Castelrinali. During his
time at San Ginesio he ministered in the rural areas of Vallimestre, Coldellaio, Nicciano, and
Celiano. Fr. Domenico was always very close to the people, sharing with them their practical
material activities, and lived and ministered with a true priestly dignity and Franciscan
spirituality. At San Ginesio he also fostered the traditional confraternities of the Sacred Heart,
the Blessed Sacrament, and of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
Fr. Domenico was an expert in many fields and he was never idle - even when he
reached the age when these kinds of activities usually tend to diminish due to the need for
more rest. And so, during his long elderly years he kept his day filled with something to do -
agriculture, construction, gardening, bookbinding - tasks he accomplished with tenacity,
punctuality and precision.
Fr. Domenico possessed a reserved and introspective character that was balanced with
a witty and cunning humor that was devoid of any vulgarity or flippancy. He was a very
prayerful man and his attitude of profound piety will be always remembered.
The funeral Mass for Fr. Domenico was celebrated at the Church of St. Francis in San
Ginesio with the Archbishop of Camerino-San Severino, the Most Rev. Giovanni Francesco
Brugnaro, presiding. He was joined by the Very Rev. Alessio Maglione, the Minister
Provincial, and over thirty TOR and secular priests as concelebrants. A great number of
faithful, common people, and members of a number confraternities were also present along
with a large group of faithful from Massa Martana and Castelrinaldi. The Mayor of San
Ginesio was represented by one of his Council members.
May the Lord keep in His glory this small great son of St. Francis.
Please offer the suffrages for the repose of his soul according to articles 61-67 of the
General Statutes.
Fraternally,
Fr. José A. Martorell, TOR
Secretary General
BASILICA DEI SANTI COSMA E DAMIANO - VIA DEI FORI IMPERIALI, 1 – 00186 ROMA - ITALIA
TEL. E FAX: 06 69 20 44 60 – E-mail: tor-sec.gen@tiscali.it