Fr. Fred Licciardi, C.PP.S., is celebrating the 40th anniversary of his ordination this year.
Fr. Licciardi, a native of Chicago, was incorporated as a Missionary of the Precious Blood on July 1, 1979, and was ordained on May 28, 1982, at St. John the Baptist Church in Whiting, Ind.
Fr. Licciardi served at St. James the Less Church in Columbus as a parochial vicar, and as a chaplain at Timken Hospital in Canton then at St. Joseph Hospital in Fort Wayne. From 1985 to 1992, he served as a prison chaplain at facilities in London, Ohio and Lebanon, Ohio. He returned to parish work and hospital chaplaincy in Zurich, Switzerland, from 1992–95. In 2002, he was in ministry at Holy Family Church in Inverness, Ill. He served at St. Anne Church in Barrington, Ill., from 2003–12; St. Raymond Church in Mount Prospect, Ill., from 2012–15; and St. Hubert Church in Hoffman, Ill., from 2015–17.
Now retired in Arizona, Fr. Licciardi continues his life of service. “It was always my intention to be a ‘priest of hospitality,’ welcoming everyone to the Eucharistic table,” he said. “This is what our spiritual foundation is rooted in. That has been my greatest grace and joy over 40 years of ministry.”
Fr. Licciardi, along with the Missionaries’ other 2022 jubilarians, was honored at a Mass at St. Charles Center on July 1, the Feast of the Precious Blood.
“These Missionaries have devoted their lives to our Congregation’s mission and ministries,” said Fr. Jeffrey Kirch, C.PP.S., provincial director of the United States Province. “We are glad to honor them and to appreciate their service to our Church and our Congregation. May God bless them for their faithfulness.”