Father John Joseph Lombardi was born in Baltimore in 1960. He attended Towson St. University and then Seminary at Theological College at the Catholic University of America. He was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Baltimore in 1988 and has served in various parishes and assignments. His parents and three brother and one sister are living in Baltimore and elsewhere.

He loves to offer daily Mass, enjoys sacred prayer and meditation time, doing spiritual reading and studies of the Saints, and likes hiking and biking, swimming and the outdoors. He grew to love the Blessed Mother and her Holy Rosary by praying with people after Mass and after a trip to Calcutta and learning from Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity. 

He loves children, chocolates, and cheery families and friends. He is most thankful to be here, to pray for you and to emulate and continue Msgr. Phillips' ministry of priestly presence at this sacred shrine. If he can help you in any way let him or the Grotto Office know.