[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 155 (Friday, December 15, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2210]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO FATHER HILARY CONTI

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 15, 2000

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to your attention the 
deeds of a remarkable person from my district, Father Hilary Conti of 
Clifton, New Jersey, who celebrated on Saturday, October 28, 2000 fifty 
years of service and leadership in Clifton and round the country. It is 
only fitting that he be honored, for he has a long history of caring, 
generosity and commitment to others.
  Father Hilary Conti was recognized for his many years of leadership 
in Clifton, which I have been honored to represent in Congress since 
1997, and so it is appropriate that these words are immortalized in the 
annals of this greatest of all freely elected bodies.
  Paul Karieakatt chronicled the history of Father Conti's service. As 
he noted, this year marks the 50th anniversary of Father Hilary Conti's 
priestly ordination. For fifty years he has engaged himself in the 
vineyard of the Lord, as a monk and as a priest. This is a truly 
special achievement.
  Father Hilary was born in Fabriano, Italy on May 12, 1925 to Natale 
and Carmela Conti as their sixth child. Although it was filled with 
hard work, Father Conti enjoyed a beautiful childhood. On one occasion 
during WWII, all he had to eat was a discarded carrot. he worked as 
farmer, and fondly recalls those early days. In his own words he said, 
``My father went to look not for the lost sheep, but for the lost 
shepherd. It did not take him too long to find me.''
  Father Conti joined the monastery as an aspirant on September 29, 
1938, made his novitiate in 1943 and his simple profession on October 
1, 1944. On October 28, 1950, he was ordained a priest at St. 
Scholastica in Detroit, Michigan. As a student he helped to found Inter 
Fratres magazine.
  Father Hilary taught for a short time at Mercy High School in 
Detroit. He has always been an active and involved leader. The time 
spent working in Michigan instilled in Father Conti the attributes 
necessary for him to become a stellar force in the community. It was 
the small steps in the beginning of his career that taught him the 
fundamentals that would make him a role model to the people that he now 
serves.
  Later he took upon an even greater challenge and pioneered the 
establishment of a small monastery in Clifton. It is known as the Holy 
Face Monastery. It nourishes spiritual needs of the soul, gladdens the 
heart and inspires all those who visit. Of the works of art at the Holy 
Face Monastery the Shrine of Our Lady of Tears is Father Hilary's 
favorite. His late close friend, Mr. Canepa, created this masterpiece.
  To describe in his own words his accomplished life, Father Conti 
wrote, ``I planted many oak trees and saw them growing big and tall; 
now I am 70 years old, so I am preoccupied about the future of the 
monastery.'' This shows his enduring love and relentless commitment. 
Many people come to the monastery to search for the meaning of life, 
healing, peace and consolation.
  Father Hilary has traveled around the country conducting seminars and 
talks explaining the Holy Shroud of Turin and its spirituality. He has 
also worked in Rome with many scientists, doctors and theologians on 
the shroud. He recently produced a video that explains the spirituality 
of the shroud.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, Father Hilary's 
fellow monks, supporters, the Holy Face Monastery, the City of Clifton 
and me in recognizing the outstanding and invaluable service to the 
community of Father Hilary Conti.

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