Sam Greco’s mother was blessed with two daughters and desired a son.  After five miscarriages, she prayed to San Francesco di Paola, the patron saint of Italians and Italian-Americans. She said if she could carry a child to full term, she would dress her son as a monk each Sunday for five years.

And she did. “She made the promise — like an Italian mother would — and the son had to carry it out for her,” said Linda Kohnen, 76, Greco’s friend. Kohnen said the saint has long been the source of miracles for Greco and his family. The retired Italian-American businessman is now sharing his faith with San Antonio.