John da Silva Antao
Encyclopedia
John da Silva Antão
John da Silva Antão (b. March 1933, Salreu, Estarreja, Portugal
, and a priest in the Archdiocese of Newark, is a religious leader of the Portuguese-American community in New Jersey
and a community leader in Elizabeth
, NJ.
and in 1956 the Patriarchal Seminary of Lisbon
in Olivais. After his parents immigrated to the United States he went on to continue his studies at Immaculate Conception Seminary, the school of theology at Seton Hall University
, then located in Darlington, NJ. After many years of study he was ordained priest in 1960 by bishop Walter Curtis, then auxiliary bishop of Newark. the rite of ordination was celebrated at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Newark, on October 7, 1960.
, NJ. Very quickly became a good communicator and helped the pastor at that parish to found a Portuguese language newspaper "Novos Rumos", that reached beyond the state borders. In 1970 he was approached to help organize a parish community in the city of Elizabeth. The Archbishop of Newark, upon erecting a parish for the Portuguese speaking people in that city, he was elected as their pastor on May 13, 1973. In September 1983 he was elevated to the distinction of honorary prelate with the title of monsignor
by pope John Paul II.
John da Silva Antão (b. March 1933, Salreu, Estarreja, Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
, and a priest in the Archdiocese of Newark, is a religious leader of the Portuguese-American community in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
and a community leader in Elizabeth
Elizabeth
Elizabeth or Elisabeth is the Greek translation of the Hebrew name Elisheva, meaning "God's promise," "oath of God," or "I am God’s daughter." Elizabeth and Elisabeth are the parent unit names of Lisa, Lilly, Beth, Betty, and Ella; Elsa, Isabel, and Isabella are etymologically related...
, NJ.
Early years and studies
The son of a farmer, Antão entered the seminary at the early age of 11 in the city of Aveiro, PortugalPortugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
and in 1956 the Patriarchal Seminary of Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
in Olivais. After his parents immigrated to the United States he went on to continue his studies at Immaculate Conception Seminary, the school of theology at Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University is a private Roman Catholic university in South Orange, New Jersey, United States. Founded in 1856 by Archbishop James Roosevelt Bayley, Seton Hall is the oldest diocesan university in the United States. Seton Hall is also the oldest and largest Catholic university in the...
, then located in Darlington, NJ. After many years of study he was ordained priest in 1960 by bishop Walter Curtis, then auxiliary bishop of Newark. the rite of ordination was celebrated at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Newark, on October 7, 1960.
In New Jersey
Father John was designated parochial vicar at Our Lady of Fatima parish in NewarkNewark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
, NJ. Very quickly became a good communicator and helped the pastor at that parish to found a Portuguese language newspaper "Novos Rumos", that reached beyond the state borders. In 1970 he was approached to help organize a parish community in the city of Elizabeth. The Archbishop of Newark, upon erecting a parish for the Portuguese speaking people in that city, he was elected as their pastor on May 13, 1973. In September 1983 he was elevated to the distinction of honorary prelate with the title of monsignor
Monsignor
Monsignor, pl. monsignori, is the form of address for those members of the clergy of the Catholic Church holding certain ecclesiastical honorific titles. Monsignor is the apocopic form of the Italian monsignore, from the French mon seigneur, meaning "my lord"...
by pope John Paul II.
Recognition
He is the recipient of many awards and commendations. The city of Elizabeth, through its Board of Education, on November 17, 2005 named a new school in his honor, recognizing in him one of the city's most active community leaders. Thus school no. 31, one of the newest buildings in the Elizabeth Public Schools bears the name of Monsignor João S. Antão School No. 31.External links
- http://elizabeth.nj.schoolwebpages.com/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectionid=1 Elizabeth Public Schools
- http://www.rcan.org/index.cfm Archdiocese of Newark