Bishop Emeritus Arthur J. Serratelli, pictured above displaying some of the bounty from his garden in Florham Park, N.J., recently received some nourishment for his soul: an Apostolic Blessing from Pope Leo XVI ahead of the 25th anniversary of his episcopal ordination on Sept. 8.
“As you celebrate the silver jubilee of your episcopal ordination, we offer you our heartfelt congratulations for your diligent pastoral service in the ecclesial communities of Newark and Paterson, as well as your dedicated work on behalf of the Apostolic See,” Pope Leo wrote in an Aug. 6 letter from the Vatican. “While we extend our best wishes for every blessing, under the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we gladly impart to you and to your relatives our Apostolic Blessing, a pledge of divine salvation.”
Born in Newark, Bishop Serratelli, 81, was ordained to the priesthood in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome by Bishop Francis Reh on Dec. 20, 1968. He served as a priest of the Archdiocese of Newark, N.J.
His episcopal ordination for Newark was celebrated on Sept. 8, 2000. As an auxiliary bishop, he served the archdiocese in many posts, including vicar general and moderator of the Curia.
Bishop Serratelli was installed as Paterson’s seventh bishop on July 6, 2004, at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Paterson, N.J. He retired as the bishop of Paterson on April 15, 2020. The bishop emeritus also has served as the chair, or member in multiple Vatican appointments.
Bishop Serratelli’s garden is located at his residence and home base for his ongoing pastoral activity in retirement at Holy Family.
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In 2004, Bishop Serratelli initiated a garden when he relocated the bishop’s residence in Paterson. He expanded it over the years to provide food to make salads, soups, and sauces.
Over the years, Bishop Serratelli’s garden has featured a diverse array of vegetables and fruits, including squash, zucchini, strawberries, and various types of tomatoes. There have also been many different herbs in his garden, including oregano, sage, mint, and basil.
Bishop Serratelli’s latest book, Living Our Faith Day by Day, helps the faithful utilize the Nicene Creed for spiritual benefit on a daily basis. Published by the Catholic Book Publishing Corporation in Totowa, N.J., the book offers an introduction to the 1,700-year-old Creed, along with a year’s worth of daily prayers and reflections.
The busy bishop emeritus also has been giving talks at local parishes.
Celebrating 25 years, Bishop Serratelli gets pope’s blessing