Madonna’s little old man

This story first appeared in the August 2024 print issue of FAMIGLIA. Learn more about the other stories in this issue.

In the hustle and bustle of mid-1900 Naples, an elderly man walked to his next destination. Shuffling and hunched over, the man slowly made his way to the Church where he so frequently heard confessions.

Wearing his cassock and carrying a shoulder bag, to any bystander, this priest was unremarkable.

But to parishioners and pilgrims, he was “Madonna’s Little Old Man” – those were his words by the way – “il vecchietto di Maria.” The old man would happily greet people saying “Angelito mio!” (my little angel).

The shoulder bag he carried with him – which, to this day parishioners fondly recall – was filled with heavy stones that he carried as penance for the salvation of souls.

Thus are the simple details of the curious case of Father Dolindo Rutolo – a Neapolitan priest who many would call eccentric or curious. After all, this was the same eccentric man who walked past all posted safety warnings on the new Italian Metro and crossed the tracks by foot – scoffing at concerned bystanders waiting for their train saying that he hadn’t died yet so obviously he didn’t believe the signs.

Of course, he didn’t truly think that and he turned it into a teaching moment, telling them that people have a similar fallacy with mortal sin; too many people say, “Well, I haven’t died yet so it’s not important.”

Misunderstood by even the Holy See at the time – Fr. Dolindo, like Padre Pio, was investigated for heresy and removed from priestly duties, circumstances of which were eventually reversed when the allegations were proved categorically false.

Coincidentally, both Padre Pio and Madonna’s Little Old Man knew each other as fellow mystics in Italy. Each considered the other a saint and, today, many say you need to study both to get a deep understanding of their thoughts.

On a Sunday morning in 1997, Monsignor Giacomo Pappalardo was late heading towards the Chiesa di San Pasquale a Chiaia to celebrate Mass.
On his way into the sacristy, he saw an old priest with small round glasses, carrying a book and a bag that appeared to have stones.

Pappalardo thought he would ask the old man if he would listen to his confession before mass – after all, why else would this man be here?

The little old man looked away from his book and asked “Angelito mio, isn’t it a bit late? Don’t you have Mass?”

Rosary hanging down with a nature background

The two priests started a conversation which led to Pappalardo telling the old man that he was the Chancellor of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. Upon hearing this, the old man responded with his quick wit: “Are you going to make me a Saint?”

The old priest answered with a wry smile, “That is a minor detail.”

Pappalardo, with a quick wit of his own, said there was a small problem, to become a saint, you have to be dead and in heaven. The old priest answered with a wry smile, “That is a minor detail.”

Afterward, both men went their own way and Pappalardo began preparing himself to celebrate Mass. Not catching the old man’s name before their conversation ended, he tried to ask around about him but no one knew him – just a priest passing by who decided to come in and rest.

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Weeks later, Pappalardo found himself in Naples again and happened to be talking to a friend. The two of them were talking about spiritual topics and Pappalardo mentioned Padre Pio.

His friend said he was a follower of Don Dolindo – an old priest from Naples – and he pulled a photo out from his wallet and showed the Monsignor.

It was the same man he had encountered at the church just a few weeks earlier.

But, the little old man with the quick wit was already dead. He had died 27 years before their interaction.

As time went on, Pappalardo began to learn and study more about Father Dolindo. He learned that Padre Pio once said to people who came to visit him, “Why do you come here if you have Don Dolindo in Naples? Go to him, he’s a Saint.”

He had died 27 years before their interaction

Today, Father Dolindo Rutolo is a Servant of God which means his cause for Sainthood is being investigated.

His beautiful prayer – the Surrender Novena – has been a constant source of comfort for those in his hometown of Naples. Now, spreading to the rest of the world, this little priest’s revelations and simple prayer is a comfort in times of turmoil and strife.

If you enter the church of San Giuseppe dei Vecchi e Immacolata di Lourdes, where Father Dolindo’s body lays, you will see people knocking three times on his tomb. When Father Donlindo was alive, he said when I am not here anymore, come close to my tomb and knock three times and I will listen to you and I would say trust in God, trust in the Madonna.

In death as in life, Madonna’s little old man continues to point people to Jesus through Mary. And, when life is full of struggles and uncertainty, his simple prayer remains on the lips of millions: “O Jesus, I surrender myself to You, take care of everything!” ■

Fr. Dolindo’s Surrender Novena

Day 1:

Why do you confuse yourselves by worrying? Leave the care of your affairs to me and everything will be peaceful. I say to you in truth that every act of true, blind, complete surrender to me produces the effect that you desire and resolves all difficult situations.