A MELUS Interview: Pietro Di Donato

Abstract

Pietro Di Donato was twelve years old when his Italian immigrantfather was killed in a construction accident on Good Friday in 1923. As the oldest boy, Di Donato took his father's trowel and began supporting his seven brothers and sisters. Not until he became unemployed and went on relief did he have the leisure to study, read, and write about his experiences. The resulting Christ in Concrete, published in 193 9, became an instant success. In 1960 he wrote the introduction to that work, Three Circles of Light, followed by Immigrant Saint, a life of Mother Cabrini; and The Penitent, a life of the man who killed Saint Maria Goretti. Currently Di Donato is finishing a work entitled The Gospels. Christ in Concrete was reprinted by Macmillan in 1985, and Immigrant Saint is due to be republished soon. The following interview is from a series of meetings with Di Donato and his wife Helen, which took place January 12, February 12, and June 8, 1985, at his home on Strong's Neck, Long Island.