You're related to a saint, dear
My Cousin the Saint
By Justin Catanoso; HarperCollins, 2008, 352 pages.
Family histories can both inspire and bind. For every stellar person in a family tree there are several branches constantly reminded they didn't live up to the example. Someday a Trump will be told they didn't make money like the Donald; a Bush will be snidely told THEY weren't President; and a Hilton will be scorned for not being a media parasite.
Most families are familiar with this situation. But very few have to deal with the dearly departed being an actual saint. In Justin Catanoso's book My Cousin the Saint: A Search for Faith, Family, and Miracles, the discovery that he's related to a holy figure raises questions unique to the situation … such as why the saint didn't save Justin's brother from dying of brain cancer.
The book deals with a lot of topics, ranging from a brief history of the sanctified priest to a description of how the Vatican in general decides who to beatify (and specifics in the Saint Gaetano case), and reconnecting with a family branch back in Italy. But much of it is taken up by the issue of faith. Justin Catanose freely admits he's a lapsed Catholic at best. You may think that the revelation of a holy man in his family could inspire a religious reawakening.
But Justin has doubts, both scientific and personal. The scientific ones are the usual ones — do miracles happen, did they happen in his cousin's case — but the personal ones are the kind that cannot be easily answered. If anyone should expect a miracle, surely it's a saint's family. So, how can Padre Gaetono be a saint, and yet seemingly ignore all the intercessory prayers for Justin's brother?
It's not an easy question, and there are no easy answers. While much of the Italian branch of the family follows Saint Gaetono's motto in domino (In God), Justin finds it hard to be that accepting. There is no sudden epiphany or world changing moment for him, only a realization that he may never be totally satisfied yet still be able to believe. And that may be all right in the end.
