Answering questions, part 1
My new friends in Calabria who hosted me this week on their blogs bleeding espresso and My Bella Vita have been fielding some great questions for me about My Cousin the Saint. I’m going to provide some answers in the coming week starting now:
Q: How did your research change or confirm your belief and thoughts of miracles? Andrea
A: My research changed my notion of miracles dramatically – not only my reading, but the interviews I conducted with priests at the Vatican in the pope’s office of saint making. These days, I no longer use the phrase “it’s a miracle” lightly or randomly. The Catholic Church’s definition of a miracle is precise and exacting. A miracle is never luck, never a coincidence. It is, as a great saint once said, “beyond the order commonly observed.” Sticking with the definition, miracles are divine and supernatural, gilded by grace and understood only through faith – like Lazerus rising from the dead. The church tells us that only God performs miracles, often through the intercession (call it lobbying if you like) of those close to Him – the saints.
Now – do I believe this stuff? I can’t say that I always do. I’m still skeptical and doubtful. But I’ve studied the miracles attributed to Saint Gaetano, I’ve met an Calabrian woman who the Vatican said was the recipient of a miracle, I’ve heard moving miracle stories from my Italian relatives. My research and my experiences have challenged my skepticism. Today, I am far more open to the idea of miracles than I was before this saint wandered into my life a few years ago.
Q: My question is…are you a victim of Stendhal’s Syndrome, or do you feel that you are able to take an objective look at Italy, Catholicism and saints in general? (Maybe I have to read your book myself to find the answer to my question!) saretta
A: Once I looked up the meaning of the syndrome, I must confess, I suffer from it on every trip to Italy – in the best way! I’m dizzy and delirious and eager to absorb far more than I can take in at once. I get over it before too long, and when I do, I can see the country more objectively – like it’s myriad aggravations and faults, especially in the south.
Q: My question is this: What has this whole experience done to and for your children and has it changed them at all? Susan
A: More than anything, my daughters are enormously proud and knowledgeable about their Italian heritage. I was far older than them before it came to me.
Q: Of all the stories you heard as you did your research, which one affected you the most, and why? Jen
A: Learning about my immigrant grandfather, Carmelo Catanoso of Chorio, who died long before I was born was extraordinary. But hearing a miracle story from a favorite cousin in Calabria, Patrizia Catanoso, gave me chills. Her moving story starts the book.
Q: Had you prayed to saints before you found this out about your family? Suebob
A: Never. But now I do regularly, at least to the one I know best.
(more Q&A to come)
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Tags: Bleeding Espresso, faith, Justin Catanoso, miracles, My Bella Vita, My Cousin the Saint, Padre Gaetano Catanoso, Saints, Vatican
October 10th, 2008 at 1:45 am
How exciting to see some answers already! Thanks so much for sharing these Justin
October 10th, 2008 at 2:37 am
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October 10th, 2008 at 4:45 am
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