January 15 is the anniversary of Peter J. Toscani.

Peter John Toscani, was born to Bernardo Toscani and Philomena (Bracale) Toscani, in Philadelphia, Pa., on September 7, 1921. He received baptism in the Church of St. Rita, Philadelphia. From 1927 to 1935, he attended Saint Edmond parochial school, and then entered the Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, N.Y. After graduation from the academy in 1939, he entered the Novitiate at New Hamburg, N.Y., professed first vows on September 10, 1940, and made solemn profession on September 10, 1943. He then studied philosophy at Villanova University. Upon graduating with a BA 1944, he then studied theology at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C., and was ordained to the priesthood on September 8, 1947, by Bishop Bartholomew Eustace, in the Church of Saint Nicholas of Tolentine, Atlantic City, N.J.

After ordination, Father Toscani continued his studies at the Gregorian University, in Rome, where he obtained a licentiate degree in theology in 1950. His first assignment was to serve as associate pastor at Saint Nicholas of Tolentine, Philadelphia, from 1950 to 1951. He then became associate pastor at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Staten Island, New York, from 1951 to 1952. In 1952, he was appointed pastor of Our Lady of Pompeii Church, Dobbs Ferry, New York. Two years later he returned to Saint Nicholas of Tolentine, Philadelphia, as pastor until 1958. In that year he completed the master’s degree at Villanova University and was appointed prior of the Augustinian community at the parish of Saint Mary, Vineland, N.J. In 1959, Father Toscani was appointed the first headmaster of Saint Augustine Preparatory School, Richland, N.J., where he served until 1970. Following his teaching career he became pastor of Our Lady of Pompeii Parish, in Vineland, N.J., until 1978. From 1978 to 1982, Father served as pastor of Our Lady of Pompeii Parish in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. In 1982, he returned to one of his favorite assignments, Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Parish in Philadelphia, where he assumed the duties of assistant pastor and prior of the community. In 1999, due to failing health, he transferred to St. Augustine Friary, Villanova, Pa., and then on November 15, 2000, moved to Saint Thomas Monastery, Villanova, Pa.

Father Toscani was active in many organizations, especially the Pro-Life Movement and the promotion of Marian devotions. He gave himself unconditionally to his vocation as parish priest, educator and counselor. His jovial spirit became his initial way of helping others through life’s difficulties. Although he loved golf, he also spent years maintaining a family collage of photographs that included 102 nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. His prayerful approach to living the religious life made him an example for others to imitate. Upon Father’s death, Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Camden, wrote, “Father Toscani’s ministry in the Diocese of Camden will long be remembered. As first headmaster of Saint Augustine Prep in Richland, he helped to shape it into the respected school that it is today, and I am sure touched the lives of the many young people who attended under his direction.”

Father Peter Toscani died on January 15, 2001 at St. Thomas Monastery, Villanova, Pennsylvania. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at the Villanova Campus Church, followed by interment at the Augustinian plot, in Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.