San Francesco di Paola

San Francesco di Paola. Patron of the Italian-American Community of San Antonio. , The statue of San Francesco di Paola, the patron Saint of the San Antonio Italian community placed here in Piazza Italia is dedicated to the memory of the Italian families that lived here and the church of its patron Saint. Built in 1927, it is still the center of the activities of those Italians, their descendants, all who remember a time gone by, and for those who wish to worship and enjoy a magnificent space., The original community that surrounded the church and Italian hall was displaced by urban renewal in 1955 but this place remains the focal point for their devotion and annual various events. , San Francesco di Paola , Crossing the Strait of Messina. San Francesco di Paola approached a ferry captain and asked if the captain would be kind enough to transport him and two monks to Messina, Sicily for charity because they had no money. The captain said "no". The Saint then spread his mantle on the waves of the strait and sailed the four miles to Messina without difficulty. The ferryman shouted to the Saint to come back. He said to the two monks, "Get on the ferry, we will follow him." Over the centuries this image has become the most famous scene representing the Patron Saint of the Region of Calabria in Southern Italy. , This statue also represents the Italian immigrants crossing the ocean to the United States. , The artist Antonio Caruso, creator of this statue, is of Calabrian origin. A master of sacred art, Caruso is well known in Europe and North America for his works in many churches, cathdrals, and museums.