Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
Fr. Richard Fragomeni, the rector of the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii, has been known for weaving in stories about his mother and father into his homilies and using Italian traditions during Mass, but one thing he is most passionate about is the gift of music in Mass.
With the recent renovation of the Shrine, located in Chicago’s Taylor Street Little Italy, one of Fr. Fragomeni’s main goals was to uphold and enhance the church’s acoustics to celebrate music in the highest regard. He is a gifted singer and piano player; something his mother, Mary, instilled in him since he was a little boy. His passion for music is at the top of his list, and now he is being recognized for it.
On July 23, 2026, the National Association of Pastoral Musicians bestowed its prestigious Forever I Will Sing Award on Fr. Fragomeni during the organization’s 50th anniversary national convention in Washington, D.C.
Among the highest honors presented by the association, the award recognizes individuals whose lifetime of service has profoundly shaped the Church through liturgy, sacred music, preaching, theological scholarship, and pastoral ministry. It celebrates leaders whose influence extends well beyond their own parishes, enriching the worship life of Catholics across the country and around the world.
For those who know Fr. Fragomeni, the recognition comes as no surprise.
A nationally respected liturgist, preacher, educator and author, Fr. Fragomeni has spent decades helping Catholics encounter the beauty and depth of the Church’s liturgical tradition. As rector of the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii, professor of liturgy and preaching at Catholic Theological Union, and adjunct faculty member in the Department of Religious Studies at DePaul University, he has combined intellectual scholarship with a deeply pastoral approach that has touched generations of clergy, musicians, seminarians, and faithful alike.
His leadership has also guided the continued renewal of the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii, preserving one of Chicago’s most treasured Italian-American institutions while strengthening its role as a vibrant center of worship, culture and community. Under his care, the Shrine has welcomed thousands of pilgrims, celebrated the richness of Italian heritage, and remained a place where faith and tradition continue to flourish.
As part of the national convention, Fr. Fragomeni also presented one of the event’s featured plenary addresses, reflecting on 50 years of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians and the enduring mission of liturgical ministry in today’s Church.
For the Shrine community and the broader Italian-American community, this honor is a source of great pride. It recognizes not only Fr. Fragomeni’s extraordinary gifts as a priest and teacher, but also a lifetime devoted to helping others encounter Christ through the beauty of the sacred liturgy.
