Joseph Mary Cataldo (March 17, 1837 – April 9, 1928) was an Italian-AmericanJesuitpriest, a pioneer missionary in the inlandPacific Northwest,[1] who also foundedGonzaga University inSpokane, Washington.[2][3][4][5]
Born in 1837 inTerrasini in theKingdom of Two Sicilies, Cataldo was admitted to the Jesuitnovitiate inPalermo, Sicily on December 22, 1852. After ordination he was sent to the foreign mission in theRocky Mountains in the United States. Due to ill health, Cataldo was then sent toPanama and later toSanta Clara College inSanta Clara, California. After his recovery he was sent north to theSpokane Indians. He later was superior of the Rocky Mountain mission which included the Spokane.
Cataldo then opened a small schoolhouse atSaint Michael's Mission where bothNative American and white students attended.[6] In order to expand the mission, he was able to purchase two parcels of land totalling 320 acres (1.3 km2) for $936. The first parcel of 280 acres (1.1 km2) north of Spokane was to be used for the relocation of St. Michael's mission. This location became the site for the Jesuit scholasticateMount Saint Michael. The second parcel of 40 acres (16 ha) was located on theSpokane Falls, near modern downtown Spokane on theSpokane River. In 1881, Cataldo was encouraged to use the second parcel of land for the establishment of a college for the growing Catholic population in the area, and he established Gonzaga College there, nowGonzaga University.[7][8]
Cataldo never retired; into his 90s he served theNez Perce people atSlickpoo nearKamiah, Idaho.[9][10] He died at age 92 at theUmatilla Indian Reservation, east ofPendleton, Oregon, on April 9, 1928.[3][4][11]
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