Father Frank M. Papa, CRSP passes away at 84

Father Francesco (Frank) M. Papa, CRSP, 84, of the Barnabite Fathers at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Lewiston, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Niagara Hospice House. 

Born in Tocco Caudio, Benevento, Italy, he was the beloved son of the late Giuseppe and Filomena (Saccomanno) Papa. 

Father Papa studied theology at the Pontifical Urban University in Rome, St. John Vianney Seminary in East Aurora, and received his licentiate in Sacred Theology in 1967 from the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. He was also a certified Hospital Chaplain.

He first entered the Barnabites at their minor seminary in Arpino in 1951, making his solemn profession in 1962 at San Felice a Cancello and ordained a priest by Bishop Pius Benincasa at St. Joseph Cathedral in downtown Buffalo on May 21, 1966.  Father served as chaplain at Sister’s Hospital in Buffalo from 1966-1971 when he was transferred to Fatima Shrine as director of Students (Seminarians) and Youth Ministry.  From 1977 to 1982, Father Papa was pastor at Assumption Parish in Elfrida, Ontario.  Father was then transferred to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania (1982-1986) again working in formation of seminarians and teaching religion at Bethlehem Catholic High School, returning to Western New York in 1986 as a co-director of Fatima Shrine and novice master for three years before beginning a whole new ministry. He also served aspPastor of Holy Family Parish on the Tuscarora Nation from 1987-1989, overseeing the construction of its current church.

In 1989. Father Papa was tasked by the Barnabite superior general to be the founder of the Barnabite Community in the Philippines.  He would spend almost eight years there recruiting the first Barnabite seminarians, building the motherhouse seminary in Marikina Heights, Metro Manila, and forming the first Barnabites there who today are the core of the English speaking province. 

In 2007, Father Papa began the Barnabite adventure in India. He remained there until 2010 setting in motion the foundation that hosts a seminary, an orphanage and soon to be opened family living center. After spending some time assisting in the Philippines and the North American Province, Father Papa was elected in 2012 to the order’s general council in Rome and named vicar general. At the conclusion of his mandate he again came to the shrine in 2019 serving as associate director until his passing. 

Father has been chaplain to many movements and groups including Cursillo, Knights of Columbus, Engaged Encounter, and Cerebral Palsy Foundation. He has at various times been a master of novices, formation director, superior, provincial chancellor, treasurer and counsellor. 

Father Papa was known as a tireless worker expending his energy for love of his order and the People of God. He was at home in the pulpit, in the confessional, the hospital, on a ladder with a hammer or paintbrush, as well as the altar and the chapel. 

Father Papa is survived by his siblings, Antonino Papa and Maria Papa, as well as many nieces, nephews, confreres, and friends. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Isabella Papa, and his brother, Fernando Papa and his priest uncles who inspired his vocation, Father Antonino Saccomanno, CRSP,, and Dom Augustino Saccomanno, a Benedictine monk of Monte Cassino.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 15 from 1–9 p.m. in Fatima Hall at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, 1023 Swann Road, Lewiston. Visitation will continue Wednesday, July 16 in the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima from 9–11:15 a.m., followed by a funeral Mass at 11:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Barnabite Cemetery.