By 1980, Lombardo had decided to join theOrder of Friars Minor Capuchin. That same year, he started studying at the Greymoor Friary inGarrison, New York. Lombardo made his first vows to his religious order in 1981. The Capuchins sent him in 1984 toBolivia andHonduras to work in parishes and with street kids. He returned to New York City in 1985 to assist with youth programs at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish inManhattan.[2]
Lombardo took hisperpetual vows to the Capuchin Friars in 1986.[2] He joined the Franciscan Friars Preaching Team in 1987, remaining with them for 14 years. That same year, he was appointed director of the Padre Pio Shelter for the Homeless in the Bronx borough of New York City and received aMaster of Divinity degree from the Maryknoll School of Theology inOssining, New York.[3] In 1987, Lombardo co-founded theCommunity of Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (CFR), a new religious order, in New York.[2]
Lombardo was ordained apriest for the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal on May 12, 1990, by CardinalJohn O'Connor atSt. Patrick's Cathedral in New York.[2] After hisordination, Lombardo held the following positions in New York City:
Founder and director of Saint Anthony Residence (1990–2004)
Director of Saint Anthony Shelter in Bronx (1993–2004);
Director of Saint Anthony Free Dental/Medical Clinic in Bronx (1998–2004);
In 2004, at the request of CardinalFrancis George, Lombardo moved to Illinois to establish a mission church in one of the poorest neighborhoods of Chicago.[2][4] Lombardo served as:
director of Our Lady of the Angels Mission Center in Chicago (since 2005)
member of the Coalition for the Homeless in Chicago (2008–2010)
In 2010, Lombardo founded the community of the Franciscans of the Eucharist of Chicago. In 2015, CardinalBlase Cupich named Lombardo asvicar forane of Deanery III-A in the archdiocese.[2]
