2007.500.152

Born: September 12, 1904
Occupation: Priest at the Holy Rosary Church
Ethnic Background: Italian
Interviewer: Margaret Hart
Comments: Tape describes Father DiMatteo family life. Parents lived in Auburn, NY then returned to Abruzzi, Italy in 1921. Father DiMatteo returned to the US at age 19, had to serve in Italian army even though he was US citizen. Conditions of release from service, King Emmanuel III was ruler. In Mussolini's time Italy was at war with Ethiopia. Father DiMatteo returned to US in 1940 as an ordained priest. Trained for priesthood in 1929 at Staten Island NY. Said his first Mass in his home town in Italy. Sailed back to US in 1940, had to put the shades down on ship so they wouldn't be seen by enemy subs. Came to Holy Rosary in 1948. Holy Rosary was first an Irish Church, bought Church from Irish for $30,000.00. Classes held in basement of Church. School built on Summer St. in 1928, Notre Dame sisters came to teach. Went back to Italy in 1951, hadn't seen mother in ten years. Father receives praise from parishoners.

https://lawrencehistory.org/files/audio/oh/2007.500.152-fdimatteo.mp3