Bigger family, smaller world
Last night, we hosted a special guest at our home - Thiago Catanoso, a 29-year-old computer expert for an America-based software company who lives in Sao Paolo, Brazil. In that South American country, there are scores of Catanosos who, like the Catanosos in America, trace their roots back a few generations to Calabria in the toe of the boot of Italy.
Thiago’s great-great grandparents emigrated from Chorio in 1903, a year before my grandfather left the same tiny Calabrian village (also the birthplace of the future saint to whom we all share a common bloodline). One of his Brazilian uncles, Jose Carlos Catanoso, returned to Reggio di Calabria several years ago to meet his Italian relatives for the first time, and learn also about Padre Gaetano. Jose Carlos and his wife, Maria, returned, as we did, to attend the canonization in St. Peter’s Square in October 2005.
Last evening, we had a wonderful visit with Thiago, who was at the end of a business trip for his employer that took him first to Miami (we “met” online earlier this year when he contacted me by email). We shared family stories and family photos and spoke about our lives in America and Brazil. His father and wife called during the visit to say hello from the southern hemisphere. To our knowledge, this is the first time that American and Brazilian branches of the Catanoso family have ever met.
The world feels like a smaller place today, but I know now that I have a bigger family.
Tags: America, Brazil, Calabria, canonization, Chorio, cousins, immigration, Justin Catanoso, My Cousin the Saint, Padre Gaetano Catanoso, Reggio di Calabria, Saints, Sao Paolo, Thiago Catanoso, Vatican
August 21st, 2008 at 10:48 am
To whom it may concern:
Greetings!
I am Michael U. Henson, a Catholic and a Religion Teacher in a school here in Angeles City, Philippines. I am an active member of our parish and parish council of the Parish of the Holy Spirit.
I am interested to know more about SAINT GAETANO CATANOSO. If it is possible, I would like to request for prayer cards, pictures, and a relic of SAINT GAETANO CATANOSO which we could venerate in our parish, especially with the poor, the sick and the elderly.
Our parish has just been established in 1995 and so, we do not have a relic of any saint to venerate and to pray to. In behalf of our people and our pastor, we humbly request your kindness for our request.
Thank you very much and may God bless your cause.
In God’s love,
Michael U. Henson
307 Vanderbilt St
Marisol Village , Angeles City
2009 Philippines
son_miguel_henson@yahoo.com
August 21st, 2008 at 11:28 am
Hello Justin! It’s so nice to know our family is getting closer and closer!
I’m Thiago’s cousin and Maria Ignez and Jose Carlos’daughter. We’ve read a lot about you and your articles back here. No need to say we are all so proud to have such a special cousin like you!
We’re waiting for you and your family in Brazil, ok? Come and join us whenever is possible for you.
Take care.
Fanny
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Cute picture, daddio
August 23rd, 2008 at 10:44 am
Hello Michael,
Thank you for reaching out to me and posting a note on my blog. I have some interesting news for you. My cousin, St. Gaetano Catanoso, founded an order of nuns called the Sisters of St. Veronica of the Holy Face in 1934. Today, many of the Veronican sisters are Filippino, and some years ago, a Padre Gaetano Catanoso house and elementary school was established in Manila. I do not know how far you are from Manila, and at the moment, I do have have an address for you, but I do believe this might be information you can find there in the Philippines. The nuns, I’m sure, would be happy to share with you prayer cards (of which they have many varieties!) and might even be willing to share a relic.
Justin Catanoso