Father Bernardine Alfano, C.P., Holy Cross Province (1882-1942)

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Born December 13, 1882 in Santa Sofia, D’Epiro, Cosenza, Italy, he was the son of Dominic Alfano and Mary Rosa D’Andrea. He came to the United States and professed his vows on April 6, 1906 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. When the province split into two provinces that year he was sent to the western province. After his course of studies in various monasteries he was ordained on June 1, 1913 in St. Ann Church, Normandy, Missouri by Bishop Paul J. Nussbaum, C.P. who was en route to take possession of the see in Corpus Christi, Texas. He was, it seems, vice-master of novices and also assistant pastor of Holy Cross Parish, Cincinnati, Ohio. While he was there he became famous for his promotion to the cause of St. Gabriel, the Passionist patron of youth. At the grotto there it was common to see and hear of miracles that had taken place. He was a preacher of parish missions and retreats. He was pastor for a time in Chicopee, Kansas and would go each day to nearby Pittsburg, Kansas for the 8:00 A.M. liturgy at St. Mary’s Church. He died of cancer.