Historical July 1986 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
The Reverend Salvatore Polizzi, pastor of St. Roch’s Parish, is now the Reverend Monsignor Salvatore Polizzi. Those of you who collect bubblegum cards of prominent prelates probably understand the significance of this quite well. Others may think “that’s nice for Father Polizzi, but it doesn’t make much difference to me.” If you have an emotional or fiscal interest in this neighborhood, you may find out that this awarding of a religious honorific is another small victory for us. “Us” is defined as those who believe that urban areas should be fit places to live, raise kids, and maybe even have some fun once in a while. What is a Monsignor?
The title of Monsignor is roughly the ecclesiastical equivalent of the nautical title of commodore. Technically, a commodore falls between a Naval Captain and a Rear Admiral in rank.
Our Navy has always felt uncomfortable with the term and used it primarily as a courtesy title.
For years, a commodore was either the senior sailor at a regatta or the guy footing the bar bill at the Officers Club.
As the needs of the service change, the Navy may restore this title to an active rank, as it did in World War II. Similarly, the term Monsignor has been primarily a courtesy title in the Roman Catholic church.
It means “my lord” in some dead language. It’s used just as Brrrrrritish actors use “m’lord” in medieval movies, Shakespearean plays, etc. Technically speaking, a priest who receives this title becomes an honorary member of the Papal household. Monsignors are permitted to wear certain distinguishing vestments on special occasions and a special place is reserved for them in large religious processions. You guessed it, it’s between the other priests and the bishops. What does a priest have to do to receive this title? That’s what makes the whole thing interesting. Papal awards of this title are based on the recommendations of local bishops.
They nominate priests, according to the St. Louis Review, “for conspicuous achievement in ecclesiastical activities.” Some of these achievements are quite esoteric. Msgr. Polizzi’s “ecclesiastical activities” are much more tangible.
He saves souls: the souls of neighborhoods in this city. Msgr. Polizzi is the Director of the Archdiocesan Office of Urban and Community Affairs.
He spends a lot of time at City Hall, with neighborhood groups, and with corporations, to promote the continued health of city neighborhoods.
He has not neglected the home front either.
Not too long ago, he was responsible for the purchase and razing of a local gas station that had become a drug hangout.
He has maintained St. Roch’s strong support of SDCC.
He has also made many improvements to St. Roch’s School, so it can continue to offer a good, affordable education opportunity to neighborhood families of all faiths.
These institutions were instrumental in sustaining this area at a time when neighborhoods around us were collapsing. Recently, the “needs of the service” prompted the Navy to reinstate the rank of Commodore.
A commodore is now equivalent to a one star general. Father Polizzi has been named a Monsignor for addressing the needs of our neighborhoods. Perhaps a star over the parish house on Waterman would not be inappropriate.
Original photograph caption
Msgr. Sal Polizzi. Photo by King Schoenfeld. The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, Summer 1986, page 6.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, July 1986.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1986_07.pdf, printed page(s) 6; PDF page(s) 6.
