Deacon Nickolas Bruno Naticchione has been waiting for this moment for a very long time, but all musicians must patiently observe a measure or two of rest before another crescendo intensifies.
The 26-year-old deacon, his preparation now complete, will achieve his childhood dream May 16, when Bishop Joseph A. Williams ordains him to the priesthood at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Camden.
“Some kids want to be an astronaut or a firefighter, I wanted to be a priest,” said Deacon Naticchione, a native of Ventnor and communicant of the Shore town’s Saint James Parish.
Little wonder: As a youngster, he was immersed in the faith-filled example of his parents, Pat and Renea, as well as the spiritual example of his uncle, Father James Worth, pastor of Saint Joseph Parish, Maplewood, who will serve as his vesting priest at ordination.
“I had wanted to celebrate Mass since I was 7 years old,” Deacon Naticchione said.
Deacon Naticchione attended Saint James School in Ventnor and Our Lady Star of the Sea School in Atlantic City, and completed his secondary school education at Holy Spirit High School in Absecon. He grew to recognize that daily Mass and frequent Eucharist Adoration was crucial in his journey toward the priesthood and recalled, “God gave me a wakeup call to discernment. Luckily, my desire and His plan matched up.”
Following high school, he attended The College Seminary of the Immaculate Conception at Saint Andrew’s Hall, Seton Hall University, South Orange, and recently completed his studies at Saint Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie, N.Y.
Of all his upcoming priestly responsibilities, he most anticipates ministering the faithful through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, no matter their trepidation.
“I know the people might be excited or nervous,” Deacon Naticchione said. “Most of us have been in those shoes, too. Priests are not immune to that, but there is healing and the great grace of God’s mercy. It is just as humbling to us to hear the Confession – people trust us, and it heightens the moment of acting in the Person of Christ. It is a shining moment.”
His innate gift for music nurtured by the example of his priest uncle, the self-taught pianist and vocalist earned his minor in music performance while at Seton Hall. Over the past few years, Deacon Naticchione has performed at numerous secular and sacred concerts in the Camden Diocese, including the Christmastime “Lessons and Carols” at Holy Trinity’s Blessed Sacrament Church, Margate; the “One Parish, One Voice” concert at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Shrine, Lindenwold; and “From Stage to Soul,” a concert of the sacred and secular, at Mary, Mother of Mercy Parish, Glassboro.
He also contributed his directing talents for the “Heart of the World” album from Saint Joseph’s Seminary’s Schola Cantorum. “I knew I could turn it into something [focused on] ministry,” Deacon Naticchione said.
Explaining his views on the intersection of faith and sacred music, he continued, “Music is supposed to bring us higher. It has been a part of the Church’s celebration since its early days. It elevates us to be distinct, to emerge into something else. With music, we are stepping out of what we do every day and stepping into an eternity in God. If that encounter is not there, we are in trouble.”
He further expounds his philosophy on his personal website – Naticchione Music Ministries – stating that his music ministry is based on the spiritual value found in the beauty of music.
“God is beauty itself, and temporal beauties which we experience in our world, like music, can and should help point us and our lives toward God, our worship of Him, and our unity with Him,” he opined. The deacon willingly shares his original musical compositions via email as well.
Deacon Naticchione recommends both laity and clergy join in sung praise during the Mass, no matter their skill level. “You should sing at Mass; God gave you a voice, and you should give it back to Him,” he said. “The liturgy is about an encounter with Christ, not a concert.”
His love of liturgy and musical worship will both be in evidence May 17 as then-Father Naticchione celebrates his first Mass in Saint James Parish. The Ventnor church community will welcome their native son’s former choir – the Saint Joseph Seminary Schola Cantorum – to sing a Communion meditation hymn he has written entitled “Anima Christi.” The hymn, with lyrics written in Latin and English, is based upon the 14th century prayer seeking intimate union with Jesus and meditating on His Passion:
Soul of Christ, sanctify me,
Body of Christ, save me,
Blood of Christ, embolden me,
Water from the side of Christ, wash me,
Passion of Christ, strengthen me,
O Good Jesus, hear me,
Within your wounds hide me,
Never permit me to be parted from you,
From the evil enemy, defend me,
At the hour of my death, call me,
And bid me come to you,
That with your saints, I may praise you,
For age upon age.
Amen.
Naticchione Music Ministries can be found at sites.google.com/view/nbnmusicmin/home.
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