GOD & TEXAS: Italians in Texas

Did you know that two Italian-born soldiers fought in the Texan War for Independence from Mexico? Born in Italy in 1794, Prospero Bernardi died from injuries he sustained in the Battle of San Jacinto. A commemorative bust of Bernardi, by Italian sculptor Pompeo Coppini, stands in front of the Hall of State, Fair Park, Dallas.

The other Italian to fight in the Texan Revolution was Mexican General Vicente Filisola. Understandably, no statues in his honor are found in Texas.

Over the years, many Italians have been productive citizens of Texas. Vincent Micheli came to Texas in 1793 as a fur trader. He settled in Nacogdoches, and later owned a cotton gin in San Antonio. He often referred to himself as the “Merchant of Venice.”

Giuseppe Cassini owned a mercantile business in San Antonio. In 1835, he assisted the Texan Army with food and supplies as they battled Mexican forces.

Born to Italian immigrants in Virginia in 1857, Decimus et Ultimus Barziza became a well-known Houston lawyer and politician. Barziza authored a book that detailed his experiences as a prisoner of war when he was captured by the Union army during the Battle of Gettysburg. His name was given to him by his father, Filippo, when he heard that his wife was expecting a tenth child. Decimus et Ultimus Barziza means “our tenth and last.”

In the 1870’s, many Sicilian immigrants settled in Houston, and built homesteads on the rich farmland that is now the Galleria. They brought many traditions from their native Sicily that have survived to this day. La Tavola di San Giuseppe is the annual celebration of God’s blessings that is held during St. Joseph’s Day festivities in early Spring. The celebrations usually include the “Tupa Tupa” (knocking) ritual, where children re-enact Joseph and Mary’s search for food and shelter in Bethlehem.

But one of the most honored Italians in Texas history is explorer Amerigo Vespucci. Born around 1454 in Florence, he sailed to the New World following the exploits of Christopher Columbus. Many believe that Vespucci viewed the Texas coast in 1497 on one of his early voyages. The term for the Americas is derived from Vespucci’s first name Amerigo.

In his writings, Amerigo Vespucci made his love for God known. After his travels from the Gulf coast to what is now Brazil, he wrote in part: “It was on the 7th of August 1501, that we reached those countries, thanking our Lord God with solemn prayers, and celebrating a choral Mass. The clemency (mercy) of God was shown forth to us by being brought to these regions; for the ships were in a leaking state, and in a few days our lives might have been lost in the sea. To Him be the honour and glory, and the grace of the action.”

Amerigo Vespucci understood Hebrews 4:16 NIV, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

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