Yes we are sad, but there is no need to offered condolences. Please share your best Leonard / Dr P / Lenny story or memory.
11/24/2025
Leonard Primiano, a professor of religious studies at Cabrini University, donated a large collection of folk art to the ACHS that he collected over the years. Based on the clothing of the figure on horseback and the Cross of St. George, this hand-made piece appears to depict the Crusades.
Remembering Leonard today on the 4th Anniversary of his death.
03/17/2025
Leonard was way ahead of his time.
Catholic kitsch: Why simple religious art is actually great From glow-in-the-dark rosary beads to St. Christopher dashboard statues and Pope Francis bobbleheads, a tribute to the complicated life of Catholic kitsch
09/01/2024
Leonard Primiano's ethnological sensation Leonard Primiano (USA) speaks of a moment in which he experienced an ethnographic sensation
As I watched “Midnight Mass” I thought to myself, “Leonard would love this”. He’d be taking notes. I’m sure he’d write an article or integrate clips into his classes.
09/17/2021
The text to the eulogy for Leonard. There may be a few lines that are not part of the recorded text and I might have missed a few remarks that were spontaneous.
John DiMucci
Daylesford Abbey
September 11, 2021
"Eulogy for a friend"
Peace Leonard.
Peace everyone!
When Leonard asked me to deliver his eulogy, I must admit I was saddened, honored, and a little petrified, all at the same time. Saddened because we were at place where we needed to talk about a eulogy. Honored to be asked. And petrified … because who could possibly capture all of Leonard in one short tribute.
Over the last several months I gathered thoughts, jotted down ideas, made notes for a eulogy... I read it and reworked it and it was horrible. It sounded like I was reading his curriculum vitae. I lamented to my friend Leo who said “just talk about Leonard. He asked you because you're his friend and you can talk about him.”
So, I'm going to talk about Leonard. And I'm going to talk about being his friend.
Leonard Norman Primiano was in a category all his own.
But let me begin by telling you a little about who Leonard was NOT.
He was not the person who earned multiple degrees from Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania. And the only person to ever be award a dual PhD in Religious Studies, and Folklore and Folk-life Studies from the University of Pennsylvania.
He was not the person who developed the concept and definition of “vernacular religion” or “vernacular Catholicism.” A concept and term which is now commonly used in academic religious studies and folklore writing.
He was not the person who published or edited 100's of scholarly articles, and entries in academic journals. Articles like:
• “Vernacular religion and the search for method in religious folklife.”
• “Intrinsically Catholic: Vernacular Religion and Philadelphia's Dignity"
• “Textures of a religious life: The vernacular religious art of Sister Ann Ameen”
• “Angels from the Vatican: The Invisible Made Visible.”
• “And as we Dine, we Sing and Praise God”: Father and Mother Divine's Theologies of Food”
He was not the person who lectured, presented on panels, or served as a symposium moderator for presentations in the US and throughout the world - Romania, Spain, the former Yugoslavia, Austria, England, Scotland, Hungry and so many more places.
And of course, he was calling me three weeks before an international conference and trip to help him find a good price on a plane ticket.
He was not the person who was practically a legend in religious studies and folklore academic circles.
He was not the person who developed courses like the “Search for Meaning,” “Sects and Cults,” “Introduction to the Christian Tradition,” or the person who designed the “Honors Program” at Cabrini.
He was not the outstanding, innovative, creative, and demanding teacher, who received national and local awards for teaching like
the Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award in 1999,
the Buzzalino Family Faculty Scholars Award in 2018.
and one of only six educators in the nation to receive The Kennedy Center Stephen Soundheim Inspirational Teaching Award in 2014.
He was not even the person who wrote, recorded, documented, studied, and explored Father and Mother Divine and the members of the International Peace Mission Movement.
Yes, his degrees are impressive.
Yes, his groundbreaking scholarship and academic accomplishments, especially detailing the lived experiences of Catholics are important.
Yes, his amazing ability to teach and motivate students was inspiring.
And yes of course, his admiration and love for Father and Mother Divine and the followers was apparent and sincere.
But as great as all of these positive characteristics are, Leonard was so much more.
It was not his outstanding scholarship and research, his publishing, his excellent teaching and lecturing, his love of the arts and all things Catholic and religious, that brought us here today. If you're in this Abbey Church or listening to this Mass, it means Leonard invited you, or drug you, kicking and screaming, to go on a journey with him and you, and for some insane reason, you accepted that invitation.
What made Leonard Primiano the great mentor, friend, and guide is that he knew the importance of the journey.
Leonard knew and was drawn to the journey. His innate curiosity, his ability to see religiosity in material culture, his ability to unpack and uncover the divine in everyday lived life, and his natural excitement, made going on a journey with him, worth more than the price of the ticket.
Everything about Leonard’s life was about the journey. The journey was metaphorical and allegorical; and found in the material and physical. He marveled at the most seemingly common aspects of life and knew how to enter into deeper mysteries.
Ex-votos, Holy Cards, Saint Joseph's Tables, and statues, The Sacred Heart expressing God's love as art and vernacular religion, Padre Pio and stigmatists, Little Audrey Santo and victim souls, Saint John Neumann and veneration of the saints, the Saint Jude Shrine, this Abbey Church, The Freemasons, Voodoo, Catholic material culture, Angels, and of course the Peace Mission.
So, let me start by sharing a little about my relationship and journey with Leonard Primiano.
I was interviewing for the campus ministry position and Leonard was on the committee. I was escorted to his office in Grace Hall for a one-on-one interview. Like anyone on their first visit to Leonard's office I was... well let's say fascinated. When I entered his office, I greeted him with the word “Peace.” And of course, he replied with “Peace” as well. I guess the interview went well because they hired me.
During my first few days at Cabrini Leonard came to my office under the pretense of welcoming me. We all know Leonard is not one for small talk and chit chat, so after some brief pleasantries, he quickly moved onto the purpose of his visit. He wanted to know why I greeted him with peace during the interview. I began to tell him that I picked it up as a greeting when I was a student at Neumann University and was hanging around a lot of Franciscans. I'm not sure if he really wanted to know the answer, because he quickly asked if I knew anything about the Peace Mission Movement and Father Divine. And to his amazement I actually did. And so, began our journey.
Our journey took us to some interesting places. And I'm not talking about Whole Foods or the Orchestra. Leonard was the person who helped me deepened my own understanding of religion and the role of religion and culture in a broad sense. He helped me realize that I actually did know what I was talking about and to value my worth and to trust my intellectual instincts and abilities. Sound familiar?
I was honored to receive those 2:00 AM phone calls that came with Leonard not even acknowledging the time. He would just launch into a discussion about an article he was writing, tell me he was emailing and asked me to comment on it, because it was due at 8:00 AM.
When it became apparent that it was time for me to move on from Cabrini, Leonard encouraged me and supported me.
You see for Leonard though, inviting you on the journey meant that after walking on the road with you for a little while, it meant breaking bread and then supporting, mentoring, guiding and sometimes pushing you to follow your own journey. Now of course the bread that he would break was not quite like the road to Emmaus. How many people here received a muffin, or a piece of multigrain bread, or other food item of dubious origin wrapped with paper napkins or smashed in a zip lock that he would pull from the bottom of one of his many canvas bags?
And you went on the journey with him you learned the importance of being in relationship with others, and being in relationship for others. Because for Leonard it was always about the person in front of him.
He was funny, he loved irony. He could be a little sarcastic. Just a little. He demanded excellence from himself and from his students. He was mentor for dozens of students of religion, theology, and folk lore. Not because he was required, but because he wanted.
He loved the arts. How many people here had their first experience of classical music or exposure to architecture or visual arts with Leonard? He would travel to Manhattan or Chicago to attend performances. He loved the visual arts and Catholic kitsch and collectibles.
And he was a pretty good dresser. The tie, pocket square and socks I'm wearing were Leonard's. I guess he would call them “first class” relics.
Each year I looked forward to my Christmas gift, a box of chocolates from Blasius chocolatier that would arrive in Chicago around April.
Above all else Leonard knew how to draw out of each person the best we could be. He saw giftedness in us when we could not see it in ourselves. He saw talents that we were afraid to use. He knew just how far to push, without breaking. He challenged and believed that every student could rise to greatness. He took a genuine interested in any student that put in the effort to learn.
Leonard knew how to journey with people, as he faced the challenges of his own journey with dignity, determination and above all class.
So, when you think of Leonard Norman Primiano think of the journey. In your life try to journey with others and support them on their journey as well. Be in relationship with, and be in relationship for others - and the world around you. If we take that important step, then we will have honored him and his search for meaning.
Peace, all! I've created a YouTube playlist of Some of Dr. Primiano's interviews, lectures, and presentations that were captured on video. For some of these he's merely making an introduction or giving a response on a panel. He may not be the main focus of the video, but he will make an appearance, I promise.
Dr. Primianio presentations, lectures, and interviews Share your videos with friends, family, and the world
09/14/2021
Peace friends! Please enjoy this wonderful, moving, spirited slideshow celebrating our Leonard, lovingly created by Laura Sauer Palmer.
Leonard Primiano, Celebration of Life - SD 480p This is "Leonard Primiano, Celebration of Life - SD 480p" by Laura Palmer on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.
09/11/2021
Peace! The livestream has begun. Direct link:
09/08/2021
Peace, friends and loved ones of Leonard! If you can not be with us physically on Saturday, but wish to be present in spirit from afar, below is the link to the live stream of the funeral services:
https://tinyurl.com/PrimianoPeace