San Pietro Apostolo Statue Project

My name is Mary Mazza. I am a 3rd generation Italian-American who has returned to her ancestral home, a small village in the southern region of Calabria, called San Pietro Apostolo.

Every year, the beloved saints of San Pietro Apostolo process through the streets on the shoulders of the strong and faithful men and women of our village. The saints are old, venerated and very, very heavy. Last year we almost dropped one! It would have been a disaster.

We are joining with The Associazione Santa Maria del Carmelo, The Pro Loco (Chamber of Commerce), other cultural associations and the citizens of our town to gather funds to make exact copies of our statues in resin starting with San Giuseppe and the Child Jesus. We need to raise a total of €10,000 (€5,000 apiece). These statues process through town during the Feast of San Pietro Apostolo in June and the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in July .

The project consists of scanning the statues in sections, reconstructing them in 3D and then printing them in resin. They are then meticulously painted by hand. Please visit Luxdei3d.com to see the process.

The work of raising funds has begun here in San Pietro Apostolo and we are now asking for help from you. As children of immigrants, we need to remember where we come from. Because of the courage and sacrifices of our ancestors, we have been granted opportunities and graces beyond measure. This is an opportunity to give back.

We are appealing to anyone who has roots here, anyone who has visited, anyone who wants to visit and anyone who feels compelled to give back for all that has been given. Even if this is not the village or your ancestors, it can be representative for you. We welcome everyone “home.”

Thank you so much in advance for your consideration and generosity. Homes and hearts are always open for you here.

Come home! We are waiting for you!

[email redacted]

www.comehometocalabria.com