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.

Daffodil Hill

Photographers come to photograph the daffodils on Daffodill Hill at Lake View Cemetery, Cleveland, O.
the hill is at a crossroad of paths
there are other blooms to be seen

In middle March, much of the US had record heat. Northeast Ohio had 6 of 7 days with new records, three consecutive days of 83°F., which past the previous marks by 7°. In my front yard the daffodils were wilted and brown by Sunday (yesterday). The cemetery sits on higher ground and their flowers were bright. On the old Liberty Blvd. (now, MLKJr.) some of the daffodils were exhausted too, but nearer the lake they were still vibrant.

The cemetery promotes the blooms of Daffodil Hill. Sunday morning, there were people toting cameras with tripods (in case there is motion from wandering flowers?), their companions, spouses and hounds. The air was slightly misty, along downtown there was fog. It was a good time for picture taking. The cemetery was planning Daffodil Sunday for April 15th?

Evangelists

In a sort of a round about, there is a cubic monument. Half of each side face portrays one of the Gospel writers. The other half has plaques of the dead.
The representation of Luke has the words of Jesus on the cross to his crucified companion, Saint Dismas, whose day is March 25:
And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. — Luke xxiii. 42-3 KJV

Across the ocean

Some people spend their lives entirely rooted at home, and near home. Others, for whatever reason, cross the ocean sea to live in a new land. What is cut in stone is sometimes the choice of those memoralised, and sometimes of those left behind. Many immigrants came to America. Even when one becomes an American, he often has an attachment to the old country, and wants others to know. Sometimes it is seems just natural to add the place of birth when it is not local.

At Lake View Cemetery, Cleveland, the closest ethnic neighborhood was Italian. Many Italians are buried at Lake View. Most Italians are Catholic. The Church heavily influenced Catholics to only be buried in Catholic cemeteries. Wandering stones it is a juxtaposition of sociology. There are many stones signaling masonic membership. Catholics are not supposed to be Masons, and Masons have had an historical animus to Catholicism. In this graveyard they are both to be easily found.
Some come to America, and that moment of arrival is commemorated. It is odd, that the place of origin is not mentioned. Is this a patriotic statement? or a political statement?

Dalet: religious or masonic?

Dalet, ד , is the fourth letter in several Semitic languages. In Hebrew 'dalet' means door. Some say that the shape is reminiscent of a tent flap opening for a door. In Greek the letter is called 'delta', Δ. So, the dalet inside the delta reinforces itself. D also represents David, the king. A double dalet in the shape of a six point star, also stands for DaviD, and by extension Judaism. For Christians the triangle represents the Trinity. The six pointed star, is the Star of Creation (the world was created in six days).

Masonic lore employs symbol and allegory, often open ended to interpretation. Much of masonic ritual relates to death and resurrection. They often borrow symbols from religion or the occult, often employed in a different matter, than the source. Now, weave your interpretation.
A smaller stone by the bigger one, has a triangle with a symbol for a 32° mason. It seems Maloney may not have been Jewish after all.

Frau Pastor Land

Frau Pastor

In a spot of Lake View (Cleveland) there were several graves of German religious ministerial families. The wives had the title 'Frau Pastor'. Part of the marriage was a share in the office. Well, that sounds more probable than she holding the title outright in the XIXth century.

note: Geb.=Geboren=Born dº =datum=date Ges.=Gestorben=Died

(and the citation for a biblical passage)
als die Unbekannten, und doch bekannt; als die Sterbenden, und siehe, wir leben; als die Gezüchtigten, und doch nicht ertötet; —2 Korinther 6:9 (Luther Bibel 1545)

As dying, and behold we live; as chastised, and not killed;—2 Corinthians vi. 9 (DRC)

Durch Nacht zum Licht
'Through darkness (night) to light'

This is a comforting motto, suggesting after a period of trouble, there will be success. Here it is: through the darkness of death's completion there will be the light of paradise. This motto is not just religious, but had been used nationally, patriotically, and militarily. Similar to Seneca's 'per aspera ad astra' to encourage one, even through present difficulty, there will be eventual success.

Hier ruht sich's gut

Here [she] herself is resting well

Der HERR aber wird mich erlösen von allem Übel und mir aushelfen zu seinem himmlischen Reich; welchem sei Ehre von Ewigkeit zu Ewigkeit! Amen.—2 Timotheus 4. 18

The Lord hath delivered me from every evil work: and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.—2 Timothy iv.18

Script stones

Well, if i wish to continue this photo-journal, i need to present some essays. Perhaps, the quickest way is to drive to the boneyard, get out of the wagon, look and take the pictures. Lake View is an easy ground.
One section had several stones with signatures on stones. My nephew insists that after a generation these stones will be illegible, since schools are abandoning the teaching of cursive script.