In their temporal dimension as popes, Saints John XXIII and John Paul II fervently and effectively served their savior and His church with humility and humor, and without hints of self-importance.

These same gifts were bestowed on convivial, nonagenarian priest and Waterbury native the Rev. Vito DeCarolis, who worked in Waterbury’s Our Lady of Lourdes and the Immaculate Conception parishes, along with many others in Torrington, Derby and New Haven.