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THE CHURCH OF MARIA SANTISIMA ADDOLORATA
In Early Modern Times it was not uncommon for Royalty and Nobility to bestrow generous gifts of property, title, etc. to those who performed extra ordinary deeds. Thus it was that the village church, "Maria Santisima Addolorata" of Sant' Elia came to be. The story, as told by Antonino Balistreri (Uncle Tony), over the years is that his father, Gaetano's great, great grandfather c. 1750, we assume also a Gaetano Balistreri, performed some deed for King Ferdinand IV of Spanish Bourbons, King of Naples and Sicily. The king wanted to recipocate. Consequently, Gaetano's great, great grandfather asked the king if he would build a church for the people of Sant' Elia since they had been attending mass in their homes or had to go to Santa Flavia, a near-by village, to attend mass. The wish was granted, the church was built in 1774. Grandpa Gaetano's parents, Antonino and Catarina Balistreri had the documents verifying this gift. | THE ALTAR OF MARIA SANTISIMA ADDOLORATA
At Easter time, about 1890, the priest in Sant' Elia needed help for Easter services. He was refused help by the priest of Santa Flavia and was complaining to his altar boys. Then Uncle Tony, an altar boy, spoke up. He told the priest he didn't have to go to Santa Flavia for anything since he was a pastor accountable to the Church Seat in Palermo. The pastor questioned him as to where he got his information. Uncle Tony responded by telling him that he to go to his Grandparents and to see the documents they had and which he himself had read. The pastor went, read the documents, and obtained his help from Palermo. Thus the church in Sant' Elia came to be known as the Church Of The Balistreri's. |
SANT' ELIA, SICILY
In 1989 we celebrated the 100 th anniversary of the arrival in American of our Grandpa, Gaetano Balistreri, from Sant' Elia, Sicily. We can now better understand what he was seeking. He wasn't seeking riches nor was he escaping religious persecution. He like everyone else who came before him, with him, and after him, he was looking for a better lifestyle and more opportunities for himself and his family. After all, America was the land of opportunity, wasn't it? We think he found what he was looking for. And, we think we can say with pride that we have accomplished what our ancestors set forth to do. We can, and should, take pride in having helped build America. We hope we have made America proud for having accepted us. |
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