Rest in Peace, Father Romulus
- Message from Father David
- Funeral Arrangements
- Obituary
It is with deep regret that I inform you that our beloved brother in Christ, Fr. Romulus (Leonard) Anthony Rosolowski, OFM, Conv., 77 years old, a Franciscan Friar of Our Lady of the Angels Province and Senior Parochial Vicar at OLV National Shrine & Basilica, passed away peacefully at Mercy Hospital on Saturday evening, October 28.
Please remember the peaceful repose of Fr. Romulus’ soul in your Masses and prayers. Our deepest sympathy and prayerful condolences are with Fr. Romulus’ family, his religious community of the Conventual Franciscans, and all his beloved parishioners and many friends here at Our Lady of Victory.
Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May Fr. Romulus rest in peace. Amen!
Rev. Msgr. David G. LiPuma
Pastor/Rector, OLV National Shrine & Basilica
Fr. Romulus Rosolowski, OFM, Conv.; 1946-2023
Funeral Arrangements to be held at OLV National Shrine & Basilica
- Wake: Thursday, Nov. 2, from 3-7 p.m. with a Wake Service at 7 p.m.
- Mass of Christian Burial: Friday, Nov. 3, at 10 a.m.
FR. ROMULUS (LEONARD) ANTHONY ROSOLOWSKI, OFM CONV.
1946 - 2023
Fr. Romulus (Leonard Anthony) Rosolowski, OFM Conv., 77, a Franciscan Friar of Our Lady of the Angels Province, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at Mercy Hospital in Buffalo, NY. Born in Buffalo on September 15, 1946, he was the eldest son of the late Leo and Florence (nee Zielinski) Rosolowski. After graduating from Bishop Ryan High School in 1964, he entered the Novitiate of the Conventual Franciscans in Ellicott City, MD, professing first vows on August 15, 1965.
He completed his undergraduate studies at St. Hyacinth College Seminary in Granby, MA, during which time he professed solemn vows on August 15, 1968. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in 1969, he traveled to Rome, where he studied at the Pontifical Faculty of Saint Bonaventure (“the Seraphicum”) until 1973. He completed his M.Div. at St. Anthony-on-Hudson Seminary in Rensselaer, NY, in 1974. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 11, 1974.
His first assignment as a friar-priest was to the high school apostolate, teaching at Cardinal O’Hara between 1974-1976. He then served as Associate Pastor of Corpus Christi parish in Buffalo, until 1979, when he requested to work in the province’s mission in Ghana. He served in West Africa from 1979-1983.
The remainder of Fr. Romulus’ ministerial priesthood was spent in parochial settings: St. Francis of Assisi, Hamburg NY (1983-86); St. Casimir, Baltimore MD (1986-91); Pastor of St. Paul Church, Atlas PA (1991-94); Administrator of St. Stanislaus Kostka, St. Michael, St. Mary parishes, Shamokin PA (1994-95); Co-Pastor of St. Paul, Kensington CT (1995-96); Pastor of Holy Family, St. Casimir & Emerich, and Șt. Columba parishes near Hooverville, PA (1996-2005); a second stint at St. Francis in Hamburg (2005-2008); OLV National Shrine & Basilica, Lackawanna NY (2008-2023).
Fr. Romulus is survived by his siblings, Robert (Kristin) Rosolowski, Sr. M. Rosalind Rosolowski, CSSF, Dennis Rosolowski, David (Patricia) Rosolowski and like a brother to Mark Yourdon; also survived by loving nieces and nephews Thomas (Jessica), Natalie, Wade (Kathryn), Chelsey (Justin), Hannah (Erik); great nephew Parker; cousins, parishioners, many friends and the Conventual Franciscan Friars.
Visitation hours will be held Thursday, November 2, from 3-7 p.m., at OLV National Shrine & Basilica (767 Ridge Road, Lackawanna NY 14218), with a Franciscan Wake Service at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, November 3, at 10 a.m. in the Basilica, followed by burial in Saint Stanislaus Cemetery, Buffalo NY.
