WILMINGTON, Delaware — Capuchin Franciscan Father John Aurilia died peacefully Jan. 13, 2026, at St. Francis of Assisi Friary in Wilmington. He was 85.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, at Sacred Heart Oratory, located at 917 N. Madison St. in Wilmington. A viewing will be held prior to the Mass beginning at 9 a.m. Immediately following the Mass, a repast will be offered at the Francis X. Norton Center. Burial will take place the following day at St. Lawrence Friary in Beacon, New York, beginning at 11 a.m.
He was born on Dec. 8, 1940, in Montemarano, Italy, where he entered the Capuchin Franciscan order and was ordained a priest in 1966. He served as secretary to Pio of Pietrelcina – the future saint better known as Padre Pio – before coming to the United States, where he was assigned to work with the Italian-speaking community in northern New Jersey.
He continued his studies of philosophy, earning a doctorate while at the same time serving in various parishes and ministries throughout the Capuchin order’s province in the eastern United States.
From 1995 to 2009, he served as pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Hendersonville, during the decades when the Capuchin friars staffed the parish. Under his tenure, the parish successfully raised the funds necessary to build its present church, which was dedicated in 1998.
Other parishes and locations where Father Aurilia served included: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Orange, New Jersey; St. Francis Seminary in Lafayette, New Jersey; St. Lawrence Friary in Beacon, New York; St. Francis DeSales Parish in Purcellville, Virginia; Most Holy Redeemer Parish in Tampa, Florida; Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Passaic, New Jersey; Immaculate Conception Parish in Bronx, New York; and his final assignment, St. Francis of Assisi Friary in Wilmington.
Father Aurilia was author of “Dearest Soul: A Spiritual Journey with Padre Pio” (Our Sunday Visitor, 2024).
Known for his love of life and all things Franciscan, he will be sorely missed by all.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Sophia Ricciadi, and his brother Orazio.
He is survived by his sister Maria Riccio and brother Generoso; nephews Michael Riccio and Anthony Ricciadi; nieces Emanuela Harting and Nancy Rodriquez; and their spouses and children.
Mealey Funeral Home of Wilmington, Delaware, is in charge of the arrangements.
— Catholic News Herald
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Father Aurilia reminisces about his time serving with Padre Pio: “A secretary of Padre Pio remembers the indefatigable Saint” (Catholic World Report, Nov. 2, 2021)