ROCKFORD—Canon John O’Connor has been appointed to St. Mary Oratory by the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest and with approval of Bishop David Malloy. Canon O’Connor will begin his new appointment Sept. 20.

 

Canon O’Connor was born April I6, 1990 in northern New Jersey, the second of three children. He graduated from Mother of Divine Grace High School in 2008 and attended Franciscan University of Steubenville. He completed his seminary formation at St. Phillip Neri Seminary in Florence, Italy.

 

He was incardinated into the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest Dec. 11, 2015, and ordained to the priesthood on July 7, 2016 at Sts. Michael and Cajetan Parish in Florence, Italy, by Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke.

 

Canon O’Connor served as Vicar at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Limerick, Ireland, from 2016 to 2018 and then was assigned as Parochial Vicar at Most Precious Blood of Jesus Parish, Pittsburgh, Pa., where he currently serves.

 

Canon O’Connor plays the violin and was a member of the Sussex County Youth Orchestra for three years. He holds an advanced certification in scuba diving from the Professional Association of Dive Instructors and has logged over 200 dives.

 

He is proficient in French, Italian and Latin.

 

Canon O’Connor succeeds Canon Luke Zignego who has been assigned to duties at the Shrine of Christ the King Sovereign Priest in Chicago. Canon Zignego will remain in Rockford for the transition until October.