Fr. Anthony Gramlich, MIC

Vice-Rector of Shrine Liturgy, National Shrine of The Divine Mercy
Stockbridge, Massachusetts

First Vows: 8/15/1997
Final Vows: 8/22/2001
Priestly Ordination: 7/13/2002

Additional titles:
Provincial Liturgist
Chaplain for the Mother of Divine Mercy Charismatic prayer group
Chaplain for Rachel’s Vineyard
Spiritual Director

Previous assignments and dates:
Assistant, St. Peter’s Parish, Kenosha, WI: 2002
Vocation Director: 2002 - 2004
Vice-Rector, National Shrine of The Divine Mercy: 2004 - 2007
Rector, National Shrine of The Divine Mercy: 2007 - 2010
Marian Evangelization Team: 2011 - 2014
Stockbridge House Superior: 2014 - 2017
Rector, National Shrine of The Divine Mercy: 2014 - 2022
Formator: 2014 - 2017
Provincial Liturgist, 2002 – 2015; 2024 - Present
Diocesan Liaison Director, Springfield, MA Charismatic Renewal, 2011 – 2021

Do you have a devotion to a particular Saint(s)?
There are lots of saints in which I have devotion: St. Faustina, St. Therese, St. Teresa of the Andes, St. Philomena, St. Agnes, St. Francis de Sales, St. Anthony, St. Christopher, St. Louis Marie de Monfort, etc. to name a few.

Do you have a favorite story from your ministry? 
One time my cell phone rang during the homily. The congregation was laughing hysterically. I laughed too and was frantically looking for my cell phone. Finally I turned it off. Then I told the congregation, “And let that be a lesson for you, always turn off your cell phone before the Mass.” After that, I could not preach the homily.

Favorite quote from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska?

[Jesus said,] Let the weak, sinful soul have no fear to approach Me, for even if it had more sins than there are grains of sand in the world, all would be drowned in the immeasurable depths of My mercy. (Diary, 1059)

Favorite prayer to Our Lady?
The Rosary.

His story:
Imagine experiencing a touch of Heaven and then a special sense of family! That was my experience when I was ordained to the sacred priesthood on July 13, 2002, and then celebrated my first Mass the following day.

I was ordained in the sanctuary of the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Mass. During the actual ordination — the laying on of hands and the Prayer of Consecration — I was transported out of this world into another one. I was there, but I wasn't there. It was almost like a touch of heaven. With ordination, you go through the seminary and you read about it, but then you experience it and can't put it into words. Even the theological words fall short.

The highlight of my first Mass the following day was a special sense of family. Following the tradition of the parents of a new priest providing him with a chalice and paten for his first Mass, my parents presented me with a chalice and paten.

And the chalice they gave me is of the Holy Family. On the base is an artistic rendering of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which represents for me my spiritual mother and earthly mother. There is an image of St. Joseph as well, representing for me my spiritual father and earthly father. Finally, there is an image of Jesus on the chalice.

This symbolism on the chalice summed up the family experience of my first Mass. All of the children in my family, many of my fellow Marians, and several Marian Helpers were all present — making it a very special family celebration.

During my priestly life of service to God's family, these are memories that I will always treasure.

More on Fr. Anthony:
Meet Fr. Anthony Gramlich, MIC
Meet the Shrine's New Rector
Her Prayers for Priests Are Answered 
Shrine's New Rector Is a Familiar Face 
Divine Mercy Plus videos