Andrea Mardegan was born in Milan in 1955. He obtained a degree in modern literature at Catholic University in Milan and a Ph.D. in biblical theology at University of Navarre, Spain. In 1984, he was ordained a priest by Pope John Paul II and worked to foster many youth activities in Verona, Italy. At present, he is the spiritual director of Opus Dei in Italy and chaplain of Torriana University College in Milan. He is also involved in programs for the formation of priests.