A father’s account of his young son’s journey from a boyhood fascinated by a pope to a step away from priesthood
Seminarian Dario Rinaldi serving at Mass. (Photo courtesy of Steve Rinaldi)
By Steve Rinaldi
Special to the Hawaii Catholic Herald
Every parent notices the changes of their children as they mature from youth into adulthood. It has been a pleasure for my wife Laurie and me to watch our son Dario change over his years in the seminary. The formation of a Catholic priest is a nine-year endeavor. We witnessed a progression of qualities, as he became more selfless, broadened his education, advanced in leadership and volunteerism and even learned how to cook.
Even before his acceptance into the seminary, signs of his calling were emerging. He became obsessed with Pope John Paul II. He viewed the papal funeral with fascination. He read every book and memorized every movie about the great leader. Dario emulated the pontiff. In grade school, he was inspired by Dominican Sister Georgina Delgado. At the age of 11 he decided he would become a priest.
Dario with parents, Steve and Laurie Rinaldi. (Photo courtesy of Steve Rinaldi)
Within his own family, Dario was one who took initiative. At age 19, he paid for his brother Victor’s final year of high school with his own college fund because our family had run out of tuition money. He did this even though it meant he would need to take out student loans for his own priestly future.
In the fall of 2014, Dario entered Mount Angel Seminary located at a Benedictine monastery in Oregon. He was received by Father Rick Paperini, the same priest who baptized him as an infant and witnessed his parents’ marriage 18 years earlier, when the family lived in Eugene, Oregon, and attended St. Jude Church.
Seminarians typically study four years of philosophy in college, followed by four years of graduate theology. During Dario’s visits home to his beloved Maui for Christmas, Easter and summer breaks, his steady ascent to manhood was evident. He always returned to his home parish of St. Joseph in Makawao, greeting supporters. As he assisted at the church during vacations, the parishioners who remembered him as a grade school student and altar boy could also see him growing and maturing. Some remarked about how reverent, devoted and happy he was.
At the seminary he was an asset to other students, helping them with their studies and involved in social activities. For four years, he assimilated into the Benedictine landscape. He learned about the monastic life and the way of the Benedictine monks. In his second year, Dario became an Oblate to the Benedictines, which meant living by the rule of St. Benedict.
After graduating with a degree in philosophy, he proceeded to St. Patrick Seminary in Menlo Park, California, for theology studies. Every seminarian spends their sixth year away from academia, known as the “pastoral year,” as an intern in a diocesan parish, living alongside the parish priests. Dario’s assignment took him to Kauai where he served the people of St. Catherine Parish under the direction of Father Anthony Rapozo. Living in the rectory with other priests was an enriching component to his formation. The young seminarian was received wonderfully by the Catholics of Kauai. It was a great reaffirmation of his vocation. He loved his time with this island community. At St. Catherine, his duties included teaching young students, assisting in the schoolyard and building maintenance. He was there during the great flood of 2016. The Kauai internship built in him “street smarts” on top of his student “book smarts.” The real life formation fueled his desire to be the best priest he could be.
Priestly formation also includes a summer assignment. Dario was positioned at the chancery building in downtown Honolulu, living with clergy and attending daily Mass next door at the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace. His project was visiting the sick and dying at nearby Queen’s Medical Center. It was a life changing experience designed to prepare future priests for ministering to grieving families and near death patients.
An additional component of his vocational formation was prison ministry. Seminarians console inmates and provide religious education at local jails and prisons.
Formation includes developing leadership, not just in academic studies, but also with social action. On Maui, Dario was a young squire of the fraternity Council #8578 of the Knights of Columbus. He became the youngest knight in the council’s history. He later started a new council at the Mount Angel Seminary, and four years later at St. Patrick Seminary. He became the leader of both councils as Grand Knight.
Every seminarian is subjected to several psychological evaluations. Each is given a director of formation, an experienced priest, in Dario’s case, Father Rheo Ofalsa, the diocesan director of vocations, who monitors and helps in the progress of his vocation.
Priestly ordination is preceded by a transitional year of diaconate. Dario will be ordained a deacon this July 5 at St. Joseph Church in Makawao. As a deacon, he will proclaim the Gospel, preach and perform other diaconal duties. He will then return to California for a final year of theology before his ordination as a priest in the spring of 2020.
Steve Rinaldi is the father of Dario Rinaldi, candidate for priesthood for the Diocese of Honolulu.
