Article by Phoenix writer Griffin Noumair ’24:
Since I started as a cadet here at Kellenberg, and now as a senior, two things have remained consistent for me: my dedication to faith – and love of pizza.
At first glance, these might seem like an odd pairing, but after some deep prayer and contemplation, I’ve come to understand that they have many things in common. The most notable similarity is the universality of the two. Catholicism is clearly universal, as it translates to such, and pizza is as well – nobody can turn down a good slice. In addition, there are infinite ways to enjoy it. From homemade, ordered out, and even frozen (kept cold Dante’s ninth circle), to toppings like pepperoni, mushrooms, and pineapple (a felony in New York State, in this writer’s opinion) everyone has a unique preference of pizza.
For another parallel, look no further than the shape of a pizza pie. It’s a perfect circle, just like God’s perfect and eternal love. Even when cut, each slice, pointing to the middle, is a triangle – just like the Holy Trinity.
Pizza and faith both have been intertwined throughout history: the first known use of the word “pizza” was in a Catholic Cathedral in the year 997, and the sixteenth century’s Pope Pius V even had his own pizza recipe. Trust me, it’s true — I read it online.
The relationship between pizza and faith has continued today, as pizza is commonly used in religious activities, not just as a regular meal, but as a way to bond with others. The feeling of being at a table, surrounded by family and friends, and sharing a pie is one best described by only one word – communion.
Mr. Basile, religion department chairperson and noted pizza chef at Kellenberg, said, “Faith is based on two tables: one of the Eucharist, and one with your family and friends.”
Sharing a pizza pie is, arguably, just another way of breaking bread, which, to Christians, is central to faith life. The most important part about being at the table with family and friends is not eating, but to be with others. This is a recurring theme in the New Testament: from the wedding at Cana to the loaves and fishes to Jesus’ Last Supper, surrounded by his closest friends. The Gospels, like a pizza supreme, are loaded with images of the table’s “sanctity”.
Kellenberg has integrated pizza in the religious life of the school, consistently using pies as the meal of choice for religious activities such as retreats and sodality meetings.
This is something to look forward to, as senior Damien Sileo happily notes, “Pizza is always something that I’m excited about, especially when it’s with my friends at school. No matter what we’re doing, it’s easy to have a good conversation over pizza.”
The Frantoni family at the KMHS Food and Wine Expo
Frantoni’s Pizzeria, a favorite of many Kellenberg students, is often the provider of pizza for Kellenberg retreats and sodality meetings.
Dorothea Mistretta, one of the owners of Frantoni’s, values this strong connection with Kellenberg and the rest of the community, saying, “We pray that we can continue to serve our communities for years to come. We feel appreciative that Frantoni’s is a part of the Kellenberg community. Religion plays a big part of our lives and to say that our pizza is a part of those religious activities makes us proud!”
Beyond Kellenberg, the Catholic Mass and pizza are both similar in their structure and effects. No matter the kind of pizza, bread is the base on which everything else is built. This is much like the Mass, whose core is the Eucharistic. While other aspects of Mass can vary depending on what region of the world or time period the Mass is being celebrated, things like the language, music, and setting can be so drastically different that a foreign-born Catholic might feel confused or out of place. This is also the case with pizza. For example, someone native to Italy could be confused, and possibly annoyed, when first encountering a “Hawaiian” pizza. Toppings aside, it is still pizza, just like the traditional Margherita pie an Italian is likely more accustomed to. As surprising as it might sound, pineapple on pizza is normal, and enjoyed by many.
Mr. Basile made a point of highlighting the variety of pizza, saying, “The crust represents the basis, but the toppings are our creativity.”
Despite cultural differences, histories, or preferences, people across the globe are brought together in community by pizza and by Catholicism, no matter the “toppings”.
