A Mercedarian Story of Faith, Hope, and Love: Fr. Tony Fortunato, O.deM.

A Mercedarian Story of Faith

Stories which reflect good lives within the Mercedarian family are always worth telling. One such life is the blessed life of Fr. Tony Fortunato, O.deM. Currently residing at the Monastery of Our Lady of Mercy in Overbrook, Philadelphia, I have been blessed to get to know Father over the last few years. His love of God, love of Mary and love of the Mercedarian Religious Order and his own vocation as a priest are what he values the most in his life.

I asked Father Tony some questions recently about his life and faith experiences. In his own words, Father Tony explains his faith, hope and most of all his love which is reflected in everything he does in his lifelong vocation.

In his 70’s, Father has served our Lord and the Church for many decades.

Here is his story:

“I was born in Rocca Imperiale. This is in Cosenza, Calabria, Italy. I was one of five children. My siblings: the twins: Nicola and Giacomo, myself (Antonio), Angela, and Mario. Poverty was very familiar to us, but we were so happy. There were two families living together in the same stone home for many years. This made for a total of 15 of us in this house at the time.

During grammar school, I attended 5 years since completion for school in the early years was five years in Italy at that time.. I was mostly just familiar with our home -life, school and church where I was an altar boy for a few years.

My grandma Angelina, my mother Carmela and my Zia Pina were very religious people who took me to church every Sunday. They gave me the first idea of becoming a priest. I would say my vocation was “born into our family” and my church was called Chiesa Madre, Madonna Assunta. I remember it so well.

My uncle was a Mercedarian friar and priest named Fr. Ferdinando Fortunato who was living in Orvieto, Terni, Umbria in Italy. He gave me the idea of going to Nemi for high school. This school was staffed by the Mercedarian Religious Order. I first went to Nemi in the province of Rome on October 19, 1952. Everyone in my immediate family were crying that day except for me. (Much to my surprise that I was not crying as everyone else was crying that day.) I felt a sense of peace knowing I was doing God’s will .

I made my first profession in the Order on September 27, 1958 where you see me pictured with my father below. And I made my Ordination on June 29, 1967.

I have lived in all of our six Mercedarian communities over many years in my vocation as a Mercedarian friar. In a rotation of living in different Mercedarian houses, I mostly lived in Cleveland and Florida. I will admit “the snow is not my good friend” 😃 I do prefer to live in sunny Florida since it is so beautiful there. I am referring to St. Pete, at our Mercedarian house called “Casa Nolasco”.

It is impossible for me to “go back on Memory Lane" at my age now in order to remember the great days of living with all of the different Mercedarian brothers. However, every day has been for me a new day of very rich and positive experiences. The 25th and 50th anniversaries of my Priestly Ordination were two great days that I remember nicely. I am very grateful to God, Our Lady of Mercy and all the Mercedarians who did so much to make the two events extremely happy and joyful experiences.

If I had to give advice to anyone I would say, pray to Mary of Mercy daily and she will surely show you the way for eternal salvation in one way or the other. Whether it is single life, religious life or marital life, Mary will bring you to her son Jesus for sure every day of your life!”

Living Faith, Hope and Most of all Love

Father Tony is a great blessing to the entire Mercedarian community, to his family, friends and to all he meets. On a personal note, I have gained so much from his advice especially his great advice in the Spiritual Life.

One of his most important lessons and teachings is on forgiveness. Father Tony will say something like, “Forgive everyone and don’t hold any grudges”. He is a man of peace. He is also a man of living faith, hope, and most of all love. He always points to Jesus and the Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Mercy and says, “Pray to them”. His life is a success story through the Mercedarian charism. He surely does live out all of the vows of the Order. I am so thankful for him. And as he always says, “Pray for me, too, Okay?” Be sure to lift a prayer for Father Tony when you read this. I know he will appreciate your prayers!

The St. Raymond Nonnatus Foundation

The St. Raymond Nonnatus Foundation for Freedom, Family, and Faith is here for YOU! We are associated with the Mercedarian Religious Order. Please reach out to us for prayer, support, family and individual ministry. Find us at www.nonnatus.org.

In addition, please pray for vocations to the religious life. Learn more about the Mercedarian Religious Order at www.orderofmercy.org. God bless!