Saint Calogero

St Calogero Eremita Pray for Us

Calogero with a box strapped to one arm in benediction, and holding a walking staff with the other

At one time all of America from northwestern Alaska to Tierra del Fuego on Cape Horn was home of the several hundred nations of Indians. Overtime, immigrants from the old world came to the new. They brought their religious culture with them. Amongst the Catholic nations, they brought their attachments to favorite saints and patrons. Some (Mary, Joseph) were known to all; some to most (Thérèse, Anthony); some to many (Rita, Raphael); and some to a few.

Lands that were evangelised in the early centuries, and have remained Christian have many local saints, beloved but not universally known. Sicily is one such land. When Sicilianos came to America they brought their local patrons with them. Above is a foto of a gravestone sculpture petitioning San Calogero the Hermit to intercede for us.

Now, Calogero is beloved in several communities in Sicily. It is almost certain that the deceased, and his family were from such a place in Sicily. One such town is Agrigento, in Agrigento province, Sicily. He is also celebrated in Canicattí, Villalba, Naru, Sciacca, Mount Cronio, Frazzanò, and Messina.

Calogero, a Vth century saint, was from Constantinople and eventually became a cave dwelling hermit in Sicily. He emerged to preach, and perform miracles. His feast day is June 18, but in Agrigento there is a festival between the first two Sundays in July. It is celebrated with bread baked with fennel and sesame seeds.

Last year, on July 9 before morning Mass, a North African came into the church in Agrigento and destroyed the statue of San Calogero. That statue has San Calogero painted with black skin (he was thought to have been a resident of Carthage) (not all representations have him such), and was carried in outdoor processions.