Joseph Aquilante, the son of the late Anthony
and Elizabeth Anne Hart Aquilante, of Valley Forge,
Pennsylvania, was honored by Pope Francis as a recipient of
the Benemerenti Medal. Archbishop Charles Chaput conferred
the medal during a ceremony September 5, 2019 at the
Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania.
Joseph has taught theology at Bishop Shanahan
High School in Downingtown, Chester County, for 20 years,
and currently serves as chair of the school’s Theology
Department. Through his efforts at Bishop Shanahan, his
pro-life group of students has grown exponentially and has
become one of the largest groups in the archdiocese. He also
frequently works in conjunction with the archdiocesan Office
for Life and Family on projects that assist youth and young
adults in understanding and defending a culture of life.
The Benemerenti Medal was instituted by Pope
Gregory XVI and dates to the 18th century. It was first
awarded to soldiers in the Papal Army. The medal was later
extended to members of the clergy and laity for exceptional
service to the Roman Catholic Church. It can be granted to
persons as young as 35 and its reception is open to
Catholics as well as members of other faith traditions.
Joseph is the grandson of Francis and Helen
Hart, the great-grandson of
Cornelius and
Alice Tinneny Hart
of Philadelphia and the great-great-grandson of
Patrick "Yankee Pat"Tinneny
of Goladuff, Newtownbutler, County Fermanagh, Northern
Ireland; Greenock, Scotland and Philadelphia and his wife
Margaret Malloy.
