Obituary of Rev. Msgr. Joseph J. Anderlonis, STD
A N D E R L O N I S
Joseph J. Anderlonis was born October 1, 1944 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Joseph and Ida Krautis Anderlonis. On Friday morning, December 6, 2019, he was called to his heavenly home.
Having earned his STB and STL degrees from the Pontifical Gregorian University, he was ordained a priest on December 19, 1969, by then-Bishop James A. Hickey. In 1987 Monsignor Anderlonis earned his STD, also from the Pontifical Gregorian University. After serving as assistant pastor at the parishes of Most Precious Blood, Philadelphia; Resurrection of our Lord, Chester; Old Saint Mary’s, Philadelphia; and the Cathedral of SS. Peter & Paul, Philadelphia, then-Father Anderlonis studied at the Gregorian University in Rome, Italy, from 1974-1977. He was Chaplain and Professor at Neumann University from 1977 to 1982 and during that time served as Assistant Pastor of Holy Savior in Linwood. In September 1982, he became the Pastor at St. George, Philadelphia, where he remained in residence until June 2016. He was then appointed to his current position as Pastor of Saint Francis de Sales in Philadelphia. On March 14, 1998, he was named Honorary Prelate of His Holiness. Monsignor Anderlonis held multiple secondary positions over the past 37 years: Approved Advocate and Archdiocesan Judge of the Office of the Metropolitan Tribunal, Censor Librorum for the Office of the Chancellor, National Consultant for the Lithuanian Apostolate, Vicar for Consecrated Life for the Office of Consecrated Life, Pastoral Dean for Deaneries 9 & 17, National Adviser for the SCDC/Pastoral Care of Migrants, Refugees and Travelers, and served as a board member for the Council of Priests.
Monsignor Anderlonis spoke a number of languages, including Lithuanian, German, Italian, and Latin. He loved his family and friends and enjoyed traveling, especially to Rome, Italy, Disney World, Cape May, and Lithuania.
Besides being known as a loving priest, monsignor, spiritual father and friend, Monsignor Anderlonis’ legacy will be one of gratitude. He was grateful for all human life, grateful for his call to the priesthood, grateful to those he was blessed to pastor and serve, and, most of all, grateful to God for his love and mercy. Those fortunate enough to have known him or simply joined him for a Mass he celebrated will remember his smile, laughter, charisma and compassion.
Monsignor Anderlonis is survived by his brother Thomas J. Anderlonis (Marjorie), his brother Andrew C. Anderlonis (late Christina), his nieces, Amy Kempczynski (Walter), Karie Steinmetz (Kevin) and Anastasia Anderlonis (Justin), his nephews, Timothy Anderlonis (Mary) and Andrew M. Anderlonis (Amy), his great nieces and nephews, Brooke, Jacob, Shane, Olivia, Michael, Thomas, John, Tyler and Dalia, his best friend Betty Markowski and the entire Markowski Family. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister-in-law.
Monsignor will have a public visitation from 5 to 7 pm, followed by a Vigil Mass at 7:00 PM, on Thursday, December 12, at St. George Church. There will then be a public viewing from 9 to 11 am on Saturday, December 14, at St. Francis de Sales Church, with a Mass of Christian Burial following at 11:00 AM. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. George Independent School, 2700 E. Venango St., Philadelphia, PA 19134, or to St. Francis de Sales Church, 4625 Springfield Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19143.