“A person dear to me had been away from the sacraments for twenty-five years. For years I prayed that he would return to the sacraments. One day while looking at the image of Father Antonio I felt the desire to pray to the Holy Trinity with the intercession of Father Antonio. Shortly afterwards, this person returned to the sacraments. Please send me his biography.” - A.S.

“My thirteen month old twin son, Paul, was suddenly taken ill with an intestinal infection, high fever and vomiting. We feared convulsions and death. I prayed fervently to Father Gallo and put his picture under Paul’s pillow. After a few hours, Paul began to get better and days later he was completely out of danger." - M.C.

After a serious operation, a lady developed blood poising because of organ malfunction. Accidentally, I found a picture of Father Gallo and I started praying for him to intercede to the Sacred Heart for this lady to fully recover. While I was praying, she fell asleep and when she woke up, three hours later, her organs resumed normal functioning.” - M.

My daughter Maria, who had an eye disorder, lived on painkiller. One evening I turned to Father Antonio with the following prayer, “You suffered so much in life, please obtain from the Holy Trinity my daughter’s healing”. The following morning, upon arising my daughter said, “Mom, I am healed.” From that day on, there was no longer a need for painkillers. This is what the doctor said, “As far as I can see, she is healed.” - M.B.

Father Antonio’s memorial cards are kept dear and sacred by his admirers, as well as by the sick.

Divine favors received should be reported to:
Postualzione Causa P. Gallo
21 Locust Street
Mahasset, New York, NY 11030

Download a memory card for the Venerable Anthony Vincent Gallo: Full Version | Foldable Version.

Father Gallo never carried a grudge. He was always happy and full of life. He would gladly share stories from real life experiences. He was admired by all for his compassion and his great virtues. Many called him Saint in a whisper, not to offend his sense of modesty.

The way Father Gallo lived his life speaks for itself. The spirituality of the Oblates had major impact over the daily events of his life. The sense of obedience and trust in his superiors, the passion for the Reign, the principles that oriented his choices and his abandonment to the heart of Jesus were the secret of his strength and joy which he accepted his martyrdom.

Father Gallo totally fulfilled Father Dehon’s ideal of: “a heart to love, a body to suffer, and a will to immolate”.

For us to celebrate his birth centennial means to treasure the example of his life and accept the invitation to allow the Holy Spirit to constantly renew us, thus allowing the baptismal graces to bear greater fruits.

Father Gallo’s strongest appeal was for us to be one with Jesus in loving God and neighbor and making this the center of our lives.

When Father Gallo died, Father Phillippe, the superiors general, stated that he died totally exhausted from serving souls. In his pastoral care he proved his love for Jesus, and with Jesus, his love for the Father.

The Oblation is the key to explaining the mystery of Jesus, and also his identity card as true disciple of Father Dehon. Therefore, the definition of Dehonian Oblate Priest of the Sacred Heart fits him perfectly.

May the message that I am joyfully presenting in this publication ignite in us the admiration and desire to imitate our brother, Father Gallo and may our prayers for this intercession obtain fro God his speedy beatification.

Fr. Virginio D. Bressanelli, SCJ
8th Superior General of the Institute of the Priest of the Sacred Heart (Dehonian)
Currently in charge of the second “sessennio”.

Rom, May 2, 1998
64th Death Anniversary of Venerable Father Gallo

Informative Process and Proclamation of Father Gallo’s Heroic Virtues

The fame of sanctity prompted the Diocese to initiate the Informative Process of his Canonization in the Vicariate of Rome on April 10, 1953 and was completed on April 18, 1956. The Apostolic Process began on December 29, 1966 and was successfully completed on April 4, 1973.

Three Rogatoriali Process collected depositions fro the Buenos Aires texts in 1956 and in Hartford and Broklyn, USA (1955 – 1956).

The “pecular” Congress on his virtues was held on November 3, 1989, by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints which was presided by Rev. Antonio Petti. The outcome was very favorable.

On April 3, 1990, Cardinal Giuseppe Caprio and other cardinals recognized the fact that the Servant of God, Father Antonio V. Gallo, had indeed exercised the theological and moral virtues to a heroic degree.

A diligent and faithful report on the virtues of Father Gallo was submitted to Pope John Paul II by Cardinal Prefetto. After reviewing and amending the report, his holiness acknowledged the desire of the Congregation of the Causes of Saints and issued a written decree which proclaimed Father Antonio Vincenzo Gallo as “VENERABLE”. Having done so, His Holiness solemnly declared, “This is to testify that the humble Servant of God, Father Gallo, did exercise these heroic virtues:

Theological virtues: Faith, Hope and Charity toward God and neighbor.
Cardinal virtues: Prudence, Justice, Temperance and Fortitude.

This servant of God, parish priest and Oblate of the Congregation of the Sacred Heart practiced all above in his daily life.

The Holy Father requested that the Decree be made public and registered in the acts of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

Rome, April 9 of the Year of the Lord 1990.

ANGELO CARD. FELICI
Prefetto
NOWAK EDOARDO
Arc. Tit. di Luni
Secretary

Suffering and Charity

During the novitiate at Albisola Superiore, Father Antonio proved his great brotherly charity by caring for Father Luigi Berbenni during his long illness. Antonio asked his superior if he could assist him during the night. He tenderly watched over him never complaining of being tired or sleepy. As a good Samaritan, he discreetly chose the most humble and difficult duties.

Early in his novitiate he spiritually grew by the example set forth by Father Luigi Berbenni. Unfortunately, Father Antonio had to return to military service. During this time, Father Berbenni dies, leaving behind a terrible void among his brother priests. The memory of this young novice, who died so prematurely, was so alive among the young religious that Father Antonio vowed to imitate his departed friend.

***

One day while walking down a corridor, a brother priest noticed that Antonio was disturbed and asked what was wrong. At first, Antonio did not say anything, but upon his insistence he replied that fearing to offend a friend, who tried to convince him that his illness was imaginary, he quietly walked away from him. In his deep sense of humility, rather than confronting his friend, he chose to be charitable.

The greatest suffering during his illness was the fact that his brother priests did not believe he was sick. They thought his illness was imaginary. There was a time when even his superiors doubted him. Once a friend reprimanded him for acting as a victim and told him that his illness was a lie. Antonio looked at him, smiled and said nothing. This reaction, more than anything else, reveals the inner beauty of a broken heart.