Sal assisting Fr. Tetlow (2004)

Sal DiFazio at The Blessed John XXIII National Seminary (Oct. 22, 2006)

Excerpts from Sal's 2006 autobiography

The call [to the priesthood] came early in my life and continued throughout my life.

I was fortunate to have been guided by so many including my pastor back in Italy, Fr. John O’Flaherty, Fr. John Tetlow; as well as having been educated in a [minor] seminary, inspired by a missionary, and motivated by seeing Pope Pius XII.

Moreover, I was blessed to be encouraged by my [late] beloved wife Michelle and part of the change that occurred prior to pre-Vatican II to the revitalization of the Catholic Church by Pope John XXIII.  The spirit to do more never left and continues to grow every day.

As a Eucharistic Minister, I felt great love in bringing communion to those in the hospital, those who are housebound and those in the nursing homes.  As a chaplain of the Florida hospitals, I cover the territory from Halifax to Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine.  And it’s in loving God and serving him that I receive my most precious reward.

I’ve come full circle in 59 years.  My ultimate calling came on a Tuesday evening in October 2005.  At Mass my eyes connected to the eyes of the Divine Mercy, and I felt even closer to God with a deeper desire to serve his people.  My daughter and my family have given me their full support and nothing else matters now.  I will pursue becoming a priest if God will have me.