1918 – 1974 (May 30)
Ralph Leonard Giovinetti was born March 12, 1918 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Giacomo Giovinetti and Philomena Marucci. He was baptized July 23, 1918 at St. Rita of Cascia Church, Philadelphia, and received the Sacrament of Confirmation there on May 2, 1926. After completing his elementary education and studying for one year at Roman Catholic High School, Philadelphia, Ralph entered the Augustinian program of formation at Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York, in 1933. He received his high school diploma in 1936, and was received into the novitiate that same year. He professed simple vows on September 10, 1937. He earned a B. A. in Philosophy from Villanova College, Villanova, Pennsylvania, in 1941, and then pursued theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, D. C. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 18, 1944. He did graduate studies in Latin at Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.
In 1945 Father Giovanetti was assigned to St. Rita High School, Chicago, Illinois, where he taught for the next 29 years. He also coached basketball and served as Athletic Director.
He died suddenly on May 30, 1974 after suffering a heart attack at St. Rita Monastery, Chicago. Father Giovinetti is buried in the Augustinian plot at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Alsip, Illinois.
