Rev. Julio M. Ciavaglia, CRSP, Rector Emeritus of the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 13, 2023 in Niagara Hospice House. Born in Niagara Falls, New York, he was the son of the late Pasquale and Lucia (Fabi) Ciavaglia.
Fr. Julio graduated from Niagara Falls High School in 1957. He entered the Barnabite Novitiate in Lewiston, NY in 1960. In 1961, he traveled to Rome to complete his Seminary studies at the Pontifical Urban University. Fr. Julio was ordained to the priesthood in Rome on December 17, 1966. His assignments included: teaching at Bishop Gibbons High School, serving as Associate Pastor at St. James in Parish in Oakville Ontario, and Assumption Parish in Elfrida, Ontario.
Fr. Julio began his Barnabite life in Lewiston at the very beginning of the Barnabites’ presence. He dedicated most of his priesthood to honor Our Lord and His Blessed Mother at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine. As a newly ordained priest, in addition to his spiritual duties, he revamped the Shrine Cafeteria. Later, he was named Artist-in-Residence, and was appointed Director of the Shrine in 1990. He held this position until January of 2020. When Father joined the seminary, he turned down admission to the prestigious Pratt Institute to study Art. During his priesthood he studied sculpture, figure drawing, and stain glass, channeling his art skills into his priesthood to glorify God and raise people’s hearts toward God. He was known in Canada for his beautiful nativities. At the Shrine he instituted its Festival of Lights, where he designed its displays which were constructed by the Shrine’s Maintenance Team under Fr. Julio’s watchful eye. During his tenure, the Shrine expanded its annual pilgrimages to include Vietnamese Day and Filipino Day and began its tradition of Healing Masses during the summer months.
Fr. Julio is survived by his brothers, John (Diana) Ciavaglia and Anthony (Frances) Ciavaglia; his nieces and nephews, Denise (Cort) Williams, John (Robbin) Ciavaglia, Maria (Mark) Tollner, Peter Ciavaglia, Lisa (John) Lostumbo, as well as several great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and friends.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, April 19 from 3 – 8 PM and Thursday, April 20 from 10 – 11:15 AM at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, 1023 Swann Road, Lewiston, NY, where Rev. Julio Ciavaglia’s Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 AM. Interment will follow in Barnabite Cemetery at Fatima Shrine. In lieu of flowers, memorial offerings may be made to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima.
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