Chaplain

MSGR. PAUL BOCCHICHIO

Monsignor Paul L. Bochicchio stands as one of the most respected and beloved priests in the Archdiocese of Newark. For over five decades, he has exemplified the heart of a pastor, the soul of a missionary, and the voice of tradition. His priesthood is marked by deep fidelity to the Church, passionate ministry to the Italian American community, unwavering love for the youth of the Church, and a lifelong commitment to Catholic Scouting.

Born and raised in Greenwich Village, New York City, Msgr. Bochicchio was raised in the rich soil of Catholic Italian American life. He was a child of Our Lady of Pompeii Church, a renowned Italian national parish that preserved the religious and cultural identity of thousands of immigrant families. It was in the pews and classrooms of that parish that his vocation was nourished—and in the Scout meetings in the church hall that his first lessons in leadership and Christian manhood took shape.

As a Boy Scout at Our Lady of Pompeii, Msgr. Bochicchio embraced the values of the Scout Oath and Law—promising to do his duty to God and country, to help other people at all times, and to keep himself “physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.” These were not just words to him—they became a rule of life that he carried into seminary and into every rectory thereafter.

Ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Newark, Msgr. Bochicchio has served with distinction in a variety of parishes and apostolates, from university chaplaincies to inner-city parishes. Yet, at every stage of his priesthood, his heart has remained especially attuned to the needs and heritage of Italian American Catholics.

From Jersey City to Garfield, from Nutley to Hoboken, Msgr. Bochicchio has served parishes that echo with the devotions of Southern Italy—the prayers to the Madonna, the festivals of the saints, the rosaries prayed in dialect. In each place, he has ministered not only as a shepherd of souls but as a guardian of memory and culture. He is often called upon to celebrate Mass in Italian, a gift that has made him a treasured celebrant at Italian feasts, heritage events, and parish anniversaries throughout the Archdiocese.

His priesthood is one deeply rooted in tradition—not out of nostalgia, but out of love. He recognizes that in the devotions of our ancestors are the seeds of future vocations and sanctity.

In 2024, Msgr. Bochicchio was invited to serve as the Spiritual Director and Theological Advisor for the acclaimed motion picture Cabrini, produced by Angel Studios. The film tells the story of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, the first American citizen to be canonized, who dedicated her life to serving Italian immigrants, the sick, the poor, and the abandoned.

His role in the film’s development was not merely symbolic—he was deeply involved in ensuring the religious, cultural, and liturgical accuracy of the production. He provided spiritual formation for the cast and crew, offered insights into the life and character of Mother Cabrini, and celebrated Mass on set to ground the work in prayer.

Msgr. Bochicchio’s lifelong devotion to Saint Francesca Saverio Cabrini made him the ideal advisor. As someone who has walked in her footsteps, serving the same communities she did—often in the very neighborhoods she once walked—his presence imbued the film with an authenticity and reverence that was felt by all involved. He has often said that “Mother Cabrini was a lioness for Christ—bold, tireless, and filled with a burning love for souls.” That same description could well apply to him.

Since the film’s release, he has continued to give lectures, retreats, and parish missions on the spirituality of Mother Cabrini and the legacy of Italian Catholic women religious in the United States.

In addition to his parish work, Msgr. Bochicchio has dedicated himself to the formation of Catholic youth through Scouting. He brings full circle his own youthful experience as a Scout by now serving as Chaplain to three dynamic youth units in Patriots Path Council:

• Sea Scout Ship 1908 – Rising Phoenix
• Venturing Crew 1908
• Maritime Exploring Club 1908

In these roles, he provides sacramental support, spiritual direction, and pastoral presence to young men and women engaged in leadership, service, and nautical adventure. Whether he’s hearing confessions on a boat dock, preaching a homily on shore, or praying the Rosary with Scouts around a campfire, Msgr. Bochicchio brings the full presence of the Church into their formation.

He is deeply respected by Scouts and adult leaders alike, known affectionately as “Padre Phoenix.” He is especially gifted at helping young people encounter Christ in the rhythms of nature, the discipline of seamanship, and the bonds of Catholic brotherhood and sisterhood.

In recognition of his exceptional contribution to Catholic Scouting, Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., honored Msgr. Bochicchio on June 8, 2025, with the St. George Emblem—the highest national recognition given by Scouting America to adults who have made significant and outstanding contributions to the spiritual development of Catholic youth through Scouting. The award ceremony was a moment of joy and humility, as Scouts from across the Archdiocese paid tribute to a priest who had guided them with fatherly strength and Christ-like joy.

Msgr. Bochicchio is the author of Along the Way: A Priest’s Journey of Joys and Challenges, a moving and insightful reflection on the beauty and burdens of the priesthood, rooted in a life of fidelity, service, and gratitude.

He is a frequent retreat master, speaker, and pilgrimage leader, guiding Catholics through the holy sites of Italy, the Holy Land, and beyond. As a spiritual leader with Select International Tours, he offers pilgrims not only geographical knowledge, but theological depth—drawing connections between sacred places and the call to personal holiness.

He has appeared on Catholic media, spoken at clergy conferences, and counseled countless souls in times of joy, grief, and conversion. His humility, humor, and spiritual clarity make him a trusted voice for laity and clergy alike.

In an age when many question the relevance of tradition, Monsignor Paul L. Bochicchio stands as a living bridge between the Church’s glorious past and its hope-filled future. He has offered his life in service to the poor, the young, the immigrant, the devout, and the forgotten. Whether on a movie set, in a fishing vessel, behind a pulpit, or at a bedside, he brings Christ’s mercy and truth wherever he goes.

Above all, he is a spiritual father—to priests, to Scouts, to families, to all who seek God with sincerity.

And like his beloved Mother Cabrini, he has done it all per amore di Gesù—for the love of Jesus.