David Avignone

David is the executive director of John Paul II Renewal Center, which oversees the Claymore milites Christi mission.

After working in corporate America for a national beverage company out of college, David had a reversion to The Faith. He then pledged to use his business experience and education for a greater purpose.

Soon after his mother’s sickness & passing, when Our Blessed Mother appeared to her, he quickly transitioned to a career in the non-profit world.

After finishing his MBA from Loyola University, David began working in the pro-life world, beginning as Associate Director of Students for Life of Illinois. He has since worked for other pro-life and Catholic organizations, including a pro-life political action committee and a Catholic Newman Center.

Since his grandfather Mario’s passing in 2011, David effectively became the custodian of the relic Mario received from Padre Pio in 1945. In particular, he is asked on occasion to bring the relic to the bedside of the sick and dying. In David’s reversion to The Faith, he has become devoted to Padre Pio and enjoys sharing his grandfather’s stories and the stories of others who have been impacted by the great saint.

In his free time, David officiates collegiate soccer and basketball, enjoys playing sports, & enjoys cooking. If time and money weren’t a factor, David would spend 2-3 months per year with his family on the coast of the Mediterranean in southern Italy where some of his relatives live.

David & his wife, Joanna, live in the western suburbs of Chicago where they are raising and homeschooling their 5 young children (10 & under).