A World War II Italian translator became an auxiliary bishop in Philadelphia

Louis DeSimone was born Feb. 21, 1922, in Philadelphia; His parents Anthony and Nicolina DeSimone were Italian immigrants. He was raised in Bridgeport, Pa., and graduated from what was then named Villanova College. His family was devoutly Catholic, and both he and his two brothers joined the priesthood. His father was a barber and would often give free haircuts to those who were less fortunate.

Bishop DeSimone entered the priesthood after World War II. He was ordained in 1952.

In 1941 during World War II he joined the Army. “I chose the Army because my father (Anthony DeSimone) was an American soldier in France during World War I,” Bishop DeSimone said. “I wasn’t sorry to go in, I wanted to serve my country.” Since he knew Italian fluently he was quickly trained as a translator and assigned to the Fifth Army. He was designated to work with the chaplain during the invasions of Sicily and Anzio. The Fifth Army reached Rome on June 5,1944, months after the amphibious landing at Anzio. Finally, the U.S. troops liberated the Eternal City after many years of tyranny.

Bishop DeSimone remembered fondly attending an audience of 10,000 soldiers including himself with Pope Pius XII. The Pope shook hands with many soldiers in gratitude for liberating Rome. When he reached DeSimone, he asked him what his plans were for the future. DeSimone replied “I want to become a priest.” The Pope replied, “I will pray for you.”

After his discharge he entered the priesthood at St. Charles Borromeo Seminar. He was ordained in 1952. Initially, he taught at St Thomas More High School in Philadelphia while serving as assistant pastor at St. Donato’s. In addition, he eventually became pastor of Saints Cosmas and Damian in Conshohocken, Pa.

Throughout his career DeSimone achieved many accolades and titles: Monsignor, director of Catholic Relief Services and chairman of the 41^st Eucharistic Congress. In 1981 he was named auxiliary bishop of Philadelphia and titular bishop of Cillium by Pope St. John Paul II.

Bishop DeSimone died at St. Thomas Monastery in Villanova in 2018 following a brief illness. He was 96, and the third-oldest Catholic bishop in the United States. Archbishop Charles J. Chaput noted that De Simone “lived out his episcopal motto Servus Tuus (Your Servant) in words and actions”

”Recently, I met an old classmate, Rita Sutera-Schnovel, at my Archbishop Kennedy High School Class reunion in Conshohocken. I think she described his life best. “Bishop DeSimone … what can I say. He was/is a close family friend. Spent a lot of time with him and his brother Father Russ. He was a great barber too! A beautiful person, a wonderful man. There will never be another priest like him. Many well wishes go out to you Father D.”

Adesso lo sa.

Lou Thomas was born and raised in Philadelphia, in a family with origins in Abruzzo. He is a Temple graduate who has been teaching Italian for 20 years at all levels. He attained a master’s degree in teaching Italian from Rutgers University. The sounds of Vivaldi and Jovanotti fill his classroom. His favorite quote is “Il vino e’ la poesia della terra.”