At St. Thomas Chapel in Bloomfield, Monsignor Ronald A. Ferraro reads a framed document in Latin in which Pope Francis named him as “Chaplain to His Holiness” with the title of Monsignor. Photo by Aaron Joseph

Story by Shelley Wolf

BLOOMFIELD – On behalf of Pope Francis, Archbishop Leonard P. Blair conferred papal honors upon Monsignor Ronald A. Ferraro, an icon of the Waterbury Catholic community, following a Solemn Vespers Prayer Service April 18 at St. Thomas Chapel in the Pastoral Center in Bloomfield.

In a chapel filled with priests, parishioners, family and friends, Monsignor Ferraro was publicly recognized by the pope as “Chaplain to His Holiness” with the title of Monsignor.

“Monsignor Ferraro is what is sometimes called ‘a priest’s priest,’” Archbishop Blair told attendees, “that is to say, a true pastor of souls, who with a keen mind and memory and so many gifts from the Lord and the heart of a true pastor, continues to serve the Lord’s people as he has done for so many years.”

Monsignor Ferraro, an icon in Waterbury, enjoys his reception in the Alumni Lounge at the Pastoral Center in Bloomfield. Photo by Aaron Joseph

The title “Monsignor” is bestowed on a diocesan priest who is at least 65 years of age and who has distinguished himself by many years of exceptional service to the Church. It also means he is an honorary member of the pope’s own household.

“When the archbishop came to tell me, I told him ‘I just did what I had to do. I was in the parishes and I did the work,’” Monsignor Ferraro said humbly, during a reception following the ceremony. “I’m grateful to the archbishop and to the Holy Father for this honor.

“There are a few priests that I wish were alive to see this,” the 89-year-old monsignor added, “especially Father Rocco Nadile from my home town of Waterbury. He mentored and guided me all the way through. And Father Edward Farrell, from Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. He was there 44 years.”

Ordained in 1960, Monsignor Ferraro became an institution himself. He served as a parish priest in the Archdiocese of Hartford for more than 62 years, spending 57 years stationed in the City of Waterbury, most notably as the pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Lucy parishes.

In that time, he baptized and buried thousands of Catholics, and served as a chaplain for both the Waterbury Police Department and the Waterbury Fire Department. He continues to be revered by civic leaders.

In May 2020, during the early days of the pandemic, he was honored by the Mayor of Waterbury and treated to a procession of police motorcycles, fire trucks and ambulances that passed by his home in honor of the 60th anniversary of his priestly ordination.

“It was an emotional moment,” said Father Diego Jimenez, pastor of All Saints/Todos los Santos Parish in Waterbury, who was a speaker at the anniversary procession.

Father Jimenez accompanied Monsignor Ferraro to the Solemn Vespers as well, and is now his successor at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, which is a worship site under the umbrella of All Saints/Todos los Santos Parish.