Br. Vincent Dirienzo, OP
Vincent (Vince) Dirienzo, Jr. was born on December 8, 1927, to Elizabeth (Wernig) and Vincent Dirienzo in Madison, Wisconsin. He was baptized at Blessed Sacrament Parish, where he attended grade school from 1932 to 1940. He then went to Madison West High School, graduating in 1945. He pursued higher education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, earning a degree in chemical engineering in 1950.
Following graduation, Vince served in the United States Army from 1950 to 1952, working in the field of chemical weaponry. He achieved the rank of Private First Class and was honorably discharged in October 1952. After his military service, he returned to Madison, where he worked with his two brothers and father as a building contractor.
In 1962, Vince discerned a vocation to religious life and entered the Dominican Order at St. Thomas Aquinas Priory in River Forest, Illinois. He received the habit on March 10, 1963, and was given the religious name Ignatius. In 1968, he was assigned to St. Rose of Lima Priory in Dubuque, Iowa, where he also made his solemn profession on March 11, 1970. There, served as Director of Buildings and Grounds as well as a member of the House Council.
In 1980, Br. Vincent was reassigned to his home parish of Blessed Sacrament in Madison, where he served as plant manager for the parish and school. He remained there for over forty years, deeply involved in the life of the parish community. He felt a strong concern for those often overlooked by society and was an active member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, working to support local families in need. He became subprior in 1993, one of the first cooperator brothers to hold a leadership position in the community, a role he held until 2002.
Due to declining health, he moved to St. Pius V Priory in Chicago in September 2022. He passed away on February 19, 2025. Br. Vincent was known for his quiet and steady presence. He had a special interest in the intersection of faith and science and remained intellectually curious throughout his life. Although an introvert by nature, Br. Vincent had a dry wit and keen insights and will be remembered for his quiet dedication, humility, and steadfast service.
His funeral Mass will be celebrated on February 26, at 10:15 AM at St. Vincent Ferrer Parish, 1530 Jackson Ave, River Forest, preceded by Office of the Dead at 9:30 AM. Interment at Resurrection Cemetery, Madison, WI. Memorial Donations to the Dominican Friars, 1910 S. Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60608-2904, www.opcentral.org, are greatly appreciated
