1

Cultural Biography of Xavier Christian Perry

Names
I was baptized under the name Xavier Christian Rossomando-Perry, both my first and

middle names in recognition of Saint Xavier and Saint Christian, but as a small child I was

referred to as “Zae” or “X” by family. The name Rossomando, my mother’s maiden name, is of

Italian decent, origionating in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy, while the name Perry, my father’s last

name, is of American ancestry meaning an individual whom lived near a pear tree.

Ancestry & Culture

My mother is of Italian ethnicity, while my father is of African American. My mother is

the first generation of her family to migrate to the United States from Italy. She came to America

in order to attend college and later attained duel citizenship. My father’s ancestors have resided

in the United States for over ten generations. I take great pride in both of my ethnic make-ups. I

stand for the National Anthem respecting my American ancestry and it is my Italian culture that
 2

motivates me to strive for greatness in order to secure comfort for my future wife and children, in

addition to caring for my parents when they become elderly.

Religion

I was baptized Roman Catholic under my mother’s religion in a church in Los Angeles,

California. My Godfather (Padrino), Timothy, was present as I was welcomed into the Catholic

faith and freed of any original sins that I was born with. During my Christening, my name,

Xavier Christian, became defined as well. My body was draped in a long satin white gown, in

addition to bracelets and necklaces embelished with crosses and my namesake hanging from my

neck and wrists.

My name after one of the incorruptible, Saint Francis Xavier, a Saint of great power,

strength, wisdom and he who blessed and baptized his converts. Saint Xavier’s forearm was

preserved by wax, fine gold , silver and diamonds in the Church of Gesu in Rome. My second

name, Christian, meaning annoited and belonging to Christ, was also of mighty power and

strength. It was this name and a solemn heart that is devoted to Christ that provided me with the

whole body of Christ, blessing me wih the communion of Saints as my prayer partners.
 3

Family Structure

My mother was 16 years old and in college when she conceived and gave birth to me.

She raised me with traditional Catholic values, morals and stressed family involvement. She

worked fulltime while attending college and eventually graduating with her Bachelors. She

accomplished this while running my school PTA, planning fall kindergarten carnivals, running

my cubscout troop and coaching my basketball team. I was raised solely by my mom for

fourteen years, more commonly referred to as a “single parent household” with a bi-racial

dynamic. When, I was fourteen years old, my mother met a wonderful man, Steven, whom I now

refer to as dad. The addition of him made us a “blended biracial family”. Growing up, my

mother, the matriarch of our family always fed everyone and took care of everyone. When she

grows old, I will care for her.

Socio-Economic Status
 4

My mother was raised by her grandparents. Her grandfather was a carpenter who worked

incessantly to provide for his family. Her grandmother was of typical Italian culture, spending

most of her days caring for her family, indulging in the preparations of traditional family meals

and gatherings, in addition to attending the masses and planning my mother’s life. My

grandparent’s believed that the best thing for my mother was to marry and have children. My

mother had bigger dreams. She studied hard and finished high school early, leaving home for the

United States to attend college and achieve a better life. She watched her grandfather struggle to

provide for his family placing him in the lower of the socio-economic classes. Because of my

mother’s drive and educational achievements, she kept our family within the parameters of the

middle class economically.

Health & Disability

 5

My mother was diagnosed with cancer three times prior to me being eighteen years of

age and each time beat it, placing her in remission. One month and two days ago she was

diagnosed again with cancer. She wakes everyday without complaint, but instead always needs

to know I’m okay.