Father Lino Parente, a member of the Cistercian congregation of Casamari, Italy, and prior of Our Lady of Fatima Monastery, Mount Laurel, died June 23. He was 76.

Born Aug. 20, 1938, Father Parente was ordained a priest Aug. 7, 1965, by Archbishop Giuseppe Marafiniat the Casamaria Abbey. In 1970, he was assigned to the monastery of Our Lady of Fatima, departing from Naples on the ship “Raffaello” Feb. 21, 1971, and arriving at the port of New York Feb. 28, 1971. In November, 1978, St. John Neumann was erected as a parish in Mount Laurel and the Cistercian monks of Our Lady of Fatima became the administrators of the parish. In 1973, Father Paretne was appointed vice-prior of the community and in 1989 was named pastor of St. John Neumann Parish, which is adjacent to the monastery. Under his 24 years of pastoral service St. John Neumann Parish grew from 400 families to 3,000 registered families. At age 75, he resided as pastor.

On Monday, June 22, Father Parente prayed with the community and had typically included in his prayer, “May the all-powerful Lord grant us a restful night and a peaceful death.” He has his last meal with his community and died that evening in his sleep.

Father Parente is survived by the Cistercian community and his three brothers, two of whom are also Cistercian monks and prior of two monasteries in Italy.

Rite of Reception of the Body will be held July 2 at noon in St. John Neumann Church, 560 Walton Ave., Mount Laurel, with viewing hours following until 9:30 p.m. Viewing hours will resume July 3 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. with the Mass of Christian Burial following at 11:30. Entombment will be in Casamari Abbey Cemetery, Italy.