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Though he frequently receives it as a genial friar at the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia, Rev. Michael Scuderi dislikes earning attention. The 45-year-old prefers to blend in with crowds when not preaching, yet his gregariousness and gusto pushed him to the forefront at Saturday’s 2012 Arthritis Walk.
Held adjacent to the American Swedish Historical Museum, 1900 Pattison Ave., the sixth local edition of the 64-year-old Arthritis Foundation’s signature event designated the third-year priest as its adult honoree, recognizing his 42-year mission to curb his rheumatoid arthritis and recent advocacy for additional research funding.
Always eager to make acquaintances, the Darby native had ample chances, as 600 participants formed 60 teams all aiming to topple the nation’s chief cause of disability. According to the foundation, 50 million adults and 300,000 children have received arthritis diagnoses, so Scuderi decided two years ago to form Hank’s Holy Hikers, his 20-member group that takes its title from his college nickname.
“No matter what you go through, God has something to do with it,” the religious leader said. “He gives me ways to get by.”
His creator led Scuderi to Villanova University, staffed by many of the Augustinians he now calls colleagues. A secular career paid the bills, but he sought further communion with his savior’s flock and joined the Order of St. Augustine at 35. Shortly after earning a Masters in Divinity, he found himself stationed at the shrine, whose patron celebrated her feast day Tuesday and whose devotees laud as “The Saint of the Impossible.”
“My whole life of dealing with pain led to a desire to bring people, especially those with ailments, closer to God,” Scuderi, whose juvenile rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis came when he was 3, said.
Donning a straw hat and a bright orange shirt with his circle’s name on it, he admitted his commendation caused some embarrassment, yet he yearns to maximize whatever opportunities it and his affiliation with the foundation can bring. He became aware of the walk through a sibling and met Cheryl Pompeo, senior director of special events for the Northeast Region, Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter, through an uncle, who spoke of his nephew’s physical and spiritual journeys. She and her associates selected Exton’s Colin Drummond, who has battled juvenile idiopathic arthritis for two years, as their youth champion and Scuderi as the adult crusader in October, inciting the latter’s humility to kick into overdrive.
“I know he is modest, but we saw him as a great choice,” Pompeo, whose employer holds more than 200 such walks annually, many during May’s National Arthritis Awareness Month, said.
Tabbing her involvement “a labor of love” from having lost her grandmother to the affliction’s complications, she began to fraternize with Scuderi at the end of last year and learned of his commitment more fully through their attendance at April 16 to 18’s Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C.
“That was my chance to call for increased ways of fighting back against this unacceptable condition,” he said.
Once back home, Scuderi finalized his fundraising efforts for the walk, raising $4,000, and prepared for his role as team captain. Friends and family enthusiastically clapped as their leader ascended the stage to receive Pompeo’s gratitude and to tout the “Let’s Move Together” theme.
“Today is a wonderful day, and I thank everyone for being here,” he said. “Let’s take the course and fight back against arthritis.”
Scuderi is no stranger to matching his strength against the consequences of arthritis. The malady stunted his growth yet seemed to have the opposite effect on his spirit, as griping and feeling sorry for himself never figure into his daily schedule. Rather, he retains childhood lessons on perseverance to sustain his belief that his aspirations may prove difficult yet not impossible.
“My parents [Sam and Carmel Scuderi] told me about athletes who battled through setbacks,” he said, citing Flyers’ great Bobby Clarke, who has fought diabetes mellitus type 1 since childhood, as his hero. “I wanted to finish school and live a relatively healthy life, making sure my goals never lost out to my status as an arthritis sufferer.”
In the decades since his diagnosis, he confesses his struggle has intensified. Thirteen operations only begin to tell the tale of his required plethora of pluck. His tolerance for exercise fluctuates and, as with many arthritis patients, he finds rain troublesome. Last year’s event featured wet conditions, but Saturday’s clear skies acted as a metaphor for his endeavor’s clarity.
Participants could choose either a one- or three-mile course. For his third year of covering the grounds of Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park, Scuderi had vowed to cover more territory than that of his first two jaunts yet abstained from choosing a specific length.
“I will go as far as I can while feeling comfortable,” he said, as the impressive roundup of foot soldiers set out on their trek.
Keeping a solid pace, Scuderi flashed smiles as team members voiced their pride in him. An avid sports fan, he discussed the Phillies’ offensive woes and expressed his disappointment with the Flyers’ playoff loss to the New Jersey Devils.
“I don’t want to become too frustrated now,” he said of shifting his focus to the task at hand.
He observed the scenery with wonder, grateful that the weather had cooperated and that his joints also were in synergy. Fatigue eventually crept in, forcing Scuderi to tell his mates he would need to return to the starting point. As he paced back, he wore a wide grin, realizing he had indeed bested his previous years’ results.
“I feel redeemed,” he joked as he entered the entrants’ gathering spot.
He holds a special devotion to St. Therese of Lisieux yet through his assignment at the 105-year-old shrine, he now lauds St. Rita as a key component of his mental maturation in keeping a hopeful perspective on life.
“I’ve learned a great deal from my time in South Philly and hope to be a voice for anyone who feels burdened,” Scuderi said.
He can number his mother among those who find his example enriching.
“Michael is such a blessing, and God has such a grand plan for him,” the Newtown Square dweller said.
While her son still honors Clarke as a role model, she is keeping her pride within the family.
“Everybody has one hero,” she said, “and Michael is mine.”
Contact Staff Writer Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.
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