One kid’s request for Vatican gifts continues to bring joy

Michie · Feb 12, 2024

Dominic Auricchio, a fifth grader at Holy Trinity School in Westfield, N.J., is pictured in an undated photo with seven religious items he received as Christmas gifts; a military Bible, a crucifix featuring the Stations of the Cross, a rosary, a miraculous medal, a vial of holy water, a chalice made of wood from the Holy Land and an Italian prayer card. Dominic had requested items from the Vatican. The Bible, holy water, rosary beads and crucifix came from the Vatican and were blessed by Pope Francis. (OSV News photo/courtesy Auricchio family)

WESTFIELD, N.J. (OSV News) — While many fifth graders typically request toys and games for Christmas, Dominic Auricchio surprised his family this past Christmas by asking for a military Bible and a rosary blessed by Pope Francis.

He received seven religious gifts in all and since then has been sharing his joy over the items with family and classmates at Holy Trinity School in Westfield, even taking them to school for a classroom display.

Dominic said that he requested the items because he enjoys learning about religion at school and because he wants to become a priest and a military chaplain when he grows up. He also dreams of meeting Pope Francis.

“If I met him, I’d like to tell him that I want to be a priest,” Dominic told Jersey Catholic, the news outlet of the Archdiocese of Newark. He has many questions for the pope such as how a priest becomes a bishop, he said.

Dominic said his parents were surprised when they saw his Christmas wish list. Nonetheless, the whole family shared his excitement on Christmas morning when he joyfully unwrapped seven religious gifts: a military Bible, a crucifix featuring the Stations of the Cross, a rosary, a miraculous medal, a vial of holy water, a chalice made of wood from the Holy Land, and an Italian prayer card.

The Bible, holy water, rosary beads and crucifix came from the Vatican and were blessed by Pope Francis. Dominic brought the other items to the church, where Msgr. Thomas Nydegger, pastor of St. Helen’s Catholic Church in Westfield, blessed them.

“He was so happy when he opened these gifts and he couldn’t wait to tell everybody,” his mother, Maria Auricchio, said. “It was the first thing he wanted to do.”

Sharing his gifts

Continued below.