Father Luigi Portarulo revitalizes New York’s Italian community

Father Luigi Portarulo, a 38-year-old priest from Bernalda, Italy, is working to revitalize the Italian community in New York City. Since arriving in Manhattan in December 2022, he has served as a spiritual and cultural bridge for both Italian immigrants and Italian-Americans.

Portarulo divides his time between St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Fifth Avenue, where he celebrates Italian Mass, and Old St. Patrick’s near Mulberry and Mott Street. His mission extends beyond religious services to include community-building activities such as Italian and English language classes, cooking lessons, summer camps, and various charity initiatives.

A member of the Scalabrinians—a Catholic congregation dedicated to supporting migrants—Portarulo moved to New York following a request from the order for a permanent Italian priest. His vocation was deeply influenced by his experience as an altar server during the Great Jubilee of 2000 under Pope John Paul II.