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Christopher Catanese, a former Boston College student, was memorialized at St. Ignatius Church on Tuesday. Catanese died in a car accident in the early morning hours of his 21st birthday, leaving behind a legacy of friendship and service at BC.
With University President William P. Leahy, S.J., presiding, Catanese was honored with the traditional Catholic memorial Mass. Rev. Anthony Penna of Campus Ministry provided the homily at the service, quoting many of Catanese's friends to describe the former student.
"He was a person who loved other people," said Penna. "He was the kind of person that God would never let fade away."
Christopher John Catanese was raised in Dover, Mass., and attended St. Sebastian's School in Needham.
He was the leader of several clubs, and according to former classmates, transcended the different cliques on campus.
Because of the impression of Catanese that remained at the school even three years after his graduation, a group of students and administrators are planning to create a scholarship in Catanese's name beginning next year.
It will provide financial aid for a student to attend St. Sebastian's Prep, which costs $24,000 in tuition.
When Catanese came to the University, he continued his path of hard work and generosity.
As a communication major, he edited the BC Daily Jolt, a Web site of listings, forums, and humor columns directed to the student body.
He was also selected for membership in the University's Order of the Cross and Crown. This elite society is for Arts & Sciences students with GPAs of 3.5 or higher who embody the Jesuit tradition of "men and women for others" with leadership and service in the community.
"Yet, for all his accomplishment in and outside the classroom, Chris' greatest blessing was that rare gift for life, which he lived fully, passionately, with a sense of electricity," wrote Adam Fitzgerald, A&S '05, in a column for The Heights.
As other friends attest, Catanese's best qualities were immeasurable. "He always challenged me," said Bridget O'Brien, A&S '05, Catanese's friend since freshman year. "If I said something, he would play it off me and get me to think more about it."
O'Brien also commented on how he was very open around friends, and how that often came out in his humor.
"His lasting legacy will be in the hearts of those who knew him," said Penna. "His sense of purpose, joy, and goodness will continue to inspire his friends."
"Perhaps the word 'family' says the most about the quality and type of person Chris Catanese was. Family: As he was to and for his friends, with an amazing sense of love and trust accompanied by the strongest intensity and intimacy," Fitzgerald wrote in his column.
Catanese loved to travel, going to the Caribbean and Aruba and sharing his stories with friends. He had just returned from a three-week trip to Rome doing a summer abroad program before going to his family's summer home.
The days leading up to his death were spent with friends and relatives.
He spent the July 4 holiday at his family's summer house in Scituate, Mass., where he and others sat around a bonfire, lighting fireworks and exchanging memories.
On the early morning hours of July 6, Catanese was driving on a slippery road near his Dover home when he lost control of his vehicle. According to police records, his Chrysler 300 sideswiped one tree and slammed into another before it came to a halt.
The police determined that alcohol was not a factor in the accident.
Catanese's plans for the rest of the summer were to work with kids at a day camp facility in Sharon, Mass.
In remembrance of all that he gave to the community, Campus Ministry and many of his friends worked to make his Mass a meaningful tribute.
"This was the typical memorial service when a student dies, but it was unique in the amount of involvement from his friends," said Penna. "It was their interest and desire to honor their friend appropriately that drove this effort."
Prior to the homily, readings were provided by former friends of Catanese. Isaiah 25:6a, 7-9 was given by Jen Conley, LSOE '05, and Corinthians 3:1-6 was given by O'Brien. Dan Vera, A&S '05, provided the general intercessions.
The music was provided by the Liturgy Arts Group of Boston College. A quintet of BC Brass Players also offered a performance following communion.
As Penna closed his homily, he asked those in attendance to take a lesson from Catanese's short life.
"I want you to leave this church inspired - give more generously, study harder, and value your friendships more," he said.
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