JOE PAGETTA

Essays, Arts, Culture & Faith
Mother Cabrini on Managing Separation Anxiety

Mother Cabrini on Managing Separation Anxiety

In Today’s American Catholic, an essay/reflection on a prayerful communication technique used by Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, as detailed in a letter from the saint published in Pietro Di Donato’s 1960 biography, “The Immigrant Saint.” Read more...
Who Wants to Read About Broken Arms?

Who Wants to Read About Broken Arms?

Note: The following essay was first read at a Howlin’ After Dark writer’s night at the now defunct Howlin’ Books in Nashville in May 2015. It appeared as a blog post on a previous version of this website soon after, and was included in my...
Parents, Ask Your Children—and Yourself—for Forgiveness

Parents, Ask Your Children—and Yourself—for Forgiveness

In the January 2023 issue of America Magazine, a personal essay on forgiveness, grace and repair in parenting and elder caregiving. In print, it appears as “The Riches of His Grace.” Special thanks to Dr. Kathleen Seabolt at the Vanderbilt University Child...
Revisiting Pietro Di Donato’s ‘The Penitent’

Revisiting Pietro Di Donato’s ‘The Penitent’

In America Magazine, a 60th anniversary “revisiting” of Pietro Di Donato’s book, The Penitent, titled “Pietro Di Donato’s ‘The Penitent’ tells the story of Maria Goretti’s tragic death from her perspective—and her murderer’s.” Read more...
When Love Came to Town: U2 at Sun Studio

When Love Came to Town: U2 at Sun Studio

On the Tennessee State Museum’s Thousands of Stories blog, a look back at the history and legacy of U2’s arrival 35 years ago at Sun Studio in Memphis to record tracks that would wind up on the double album and film, Rattle and Hum. Read more at the...