I’m gearing up for my first Calabrian Easter celebration with my new bambino. Yes, my husband and I have done the traditional American Easter Basket vs. Italian Chocolate Egg thing in the past and we’re planning on continuing our Easter traditions, plus one. The weather is warming up and if it holds, we’ll spend an...Read More
Many street corners, alleys and pathways in Calabria hold a unique find, an ancient artifact … a centuries-old secret. Just strolling through one of the many Medieval, Byzantine or Baroque towns in the region will give you a glimpse into its former life and nowhere is this more true than in the villages’ churches. With...Read More
Five new saints were canonized on Sunday, April 26 in Saint Peter’s Square … and I was there. No, I didn’t go specifically for the Canonization-in fact, I didn’t understand the magnitude of the event until I was ushered onto the steps of the colossal piazza and saw the sea of people that spread before...Read More
Bernardo Tolomei was born in Siena, Italy in 1272, as “Giovanni,” but later used the name Bernardo out of veneration for Saint Bernardo of Clairvaux, an 11th century French Cistercian abbot. He was knighted in 1291 and was a member of the Confraternity of the Disciplinati di Santa Maria della Notte that was dedicated to...Read More
Perhaps the world’s first-known advocate for the working woman, Arcangelo Tadini, who was Canonized on April 26, 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI, established a religious order called the Worker Sisters of the Holy House of Nazareth that sought to implement the church’s teachings regarding workers’ rights and to lead working women into Christian faith...Read More
Welcome to the 2nd edition of “The Life of a Saint.” This week we’re honoring, Saint Nuno Álvares Pereira, the Portuguese saint who-although his followers had to travel more than 2,000 kilometers-had the loudest, if not the largest, cheering section at the Canonization. This group was fascinating. They cheered and chanted and sang songs whose...Read More
During Rome Week I mentioned that my husband and I had the opportunity to attend Mass in Saint Peter’s Square. Although the day was gray and windy, we were thrilled to encounter none other than Vatican City’s own Pope Benedict XVI, who was both leading the Mass and Canonizing five new saints. I’ve always been...Read More
Today is San Giuseppe Day and Joes, Josephs, Giuseppes, Peppes, Gius and Giusys throughout the world are celebrating their namesake. Well, maybe not throughout the world … but they could. And in fact, I think they should. March 19 is the day Italians remember Saint Joseph who, according to an article published in the Guarda!...Read More
The Christmas season may be in full swing in other places throughout the world, but for those of us in Italy … TODAY is the day. In case you missed it, we are smack dab in the middle of a Four-Part Series on Celebrating Christmas in Italy. Here are Part I and Part II. However,...Read More
People who move to a foreign country are inundated with newness, attacked by unfamiliarity, overwhelmed with shocking sensations of strange cultures and unknown customs. But Catholics have an advantage. Every week Catholics celebrate the same rituals, recite the same readings and participate in the same Gospel – making the Catholic Church a steady constant throughout...Read More
