Fr. Paolo Puccini, C.S.P.
Fr. Paolo Puccini, C.S.P.

Paulist Fr. Paolo Puccini is associate pastor of St. Austin Church in Austin, TX.

A native of Houston, TX, he entered our novitiate on August 24, 2013.

He made his first promises to the Paulist community on July 26, 2014.

He made his final promise on September 6, 2019, was ordained a transitional deacon on September 7, 2019, and was ordained a priest on July 25, 2020.

In his own words:

"Life at the parish was the central focus of my family as I was growing up, and my time at a Jesuit high school introduced me in a deeper way to many beautiful aspects of the faith. My interests in math and science coupled with humanities led me to the University of Texas at Austin, where I graduated with bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a bachelor’s degree in Plan II Honors.

"I met the Paulists in Austin at the University Catholic Center; through their various student ministries, I formed many deep and lasting friendships. A desire to apply my engineering degree while traveling the world and working with different cultures led me to the oil and gas industry, where I worked for three years with opportunities to visit Europe and Africa.

"As much as I enjoyed professional life, I realized that my deepest satisfaction was found in the Church, who for me is a constant source of growth, inspiration and love. I chose to enter the Paulist formation program because of their mission to bring the profound message of Gospel to the modern world."

Some fun facts:

  • Favorite Saint: St. John the Apostle
  • Hobbies: Running, Reading, Travel
  • Favorite Food: Italian
  • What he enjoyed most about his novitiate year: "The novitiate was a wonderful balance of structure and freedom. Gathering in community for morning prayer, daily Mass, and evening prayer helped me center the rhythm of my day towards my relationship with God. I also was blessed with company of many amazing priests and seminarians during our meals in community. At the same time, the novitiate gave me plenty of free time, more so than I had as a professional. With my free afternoons I chose to read more about the history and future of the Church along with new strategies for evangelization. I have also began exploring Washington, D.C., with my fellow novices."


Audio features

This is the unabridged audio of Paolo's interview. It is also available on StoryCorps.
LISTEN: This interview is also available on StoryCorps.


As Paolo draws ever nearer to ordination as a priest, he and his loved ones reflect on his journey. Interviews: Jennifer Szweda Jordan.


Mass with Paolo's diaconate ordination
September 7, 2019
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Washington, DC

Highlights from the Mass:

 

Full Mass:

 

2019 Promises Mass
September 6, 2019

St. Joseph's Seminary, Washington, D.C.


Deacon Paolo at his diaconate ordination Mass, September 7, 2019

 

 


Deacon Paolo at his diaconate ordination Mass, September 7, 2019

 

Paolo Puccini receives an icon from conference chairman Jack Figel.

Paulist seminarian Paolo Puccini receives an icon in 2016 from Jack Figel, chairman of at the Orientale Lumen Conference in Washington, D.C. Paolo made a presentation at the conference on the encyclical “Laudato Si.”