JOE PAGETTA

Essays, Arts, Culture & Faith
The Blessing of Cheering People On

The Blessing of Cheering People On

June 16, 2025 – In America Magazine, an essay/reflection about the blessings that come with encouragement. Read more in America Magazine.
Reflecting on Summer Reading

Reflecting on Summer Reading

May 2, 2024 – In the Summer 2024 issue of Tennessee Home & Farm, a reflection on summer reading and the places books take us — and take us back to — long after we’ve put them down. Read more at TN Home and Farm Magazine.
Mother Cabrini on Managing Separation Anxiety

Mother Cabrini on Managing Separation Anxiety

November 13, 2023 – 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...
Who Wants to Read About Broken Arms?

Who Wants to Read About Broken Arms?

March 16, 2023 – 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...
Parents, Ask Your Children—and Yourself—for Forgiveness

Parents, Ask Your Children—and Yourself—for Forgiveness

December 15, 2022 – 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...
When Coming of Age Was Horror Time

When Coming of Age Was Horror Time

In Today’s American Catholic, a personal essay on how revisiting lyrics I’d written for my hardcore band 30 years ago prompted an exploration of my faith and creative journey. With references to both Dorothy Day AND Ronnie James Dio. Read more at...