Father Pasquale Di Milla the priest who baptized Josephine V. Pezzati in 1906, "was born at Elena, province of Caserta, Italy, Sept. 8, 1869, son of Antonio and Concetta (Velardocchio) Di Milla. He obtained his early education at the Seminary of Gaeta, preparing himself for the priesthood, to which he was ordained in June, 1892, by Archbishop Nicola Contieri. He was shortly afterwards assigned to St. James Church in Elena, where for eight years he taught school, and laid the broad foundation for his greater work in America. He came to the United States in 1900, settling in Boston, Mass., which has become his permanent home. He was immediately placed in charge of the Italian communicants of St. James parish on Harrison avenue, Boston. He was so successful in his new charge that within three years it was possible to build a new edifice. It was dedicated Oct. 25, 1903, and named the Church of Our Lady of Pompeii. In association with others he established St. Michael's (Italian) cemetery, of which he has been president since 1908. His highest ambition is to devote himself to the spiritual and material welfare of the afflicted and unfortunate. He is a scholar of the highest order. There are few men in this country who have a deeper grasp of the Latin language, and possibly no one is better acquainted with the writings of Virgil. But it is principally as a zealous priest that he has endeared himself to all Bostonians. His profound faith, his genuine humility, his generous charity and his devotion to the welfare of his people, mark him as an ardent and worthy servant of God." - The National Cyclopedia of American Biography
