Part Five

(Practical suggestions for implementation of the plan)

As I said, the plan would have built-in efficacy because of the authority accruing to it from the Holy See.  This efficacy would be increased by demonstrating the timeliness and seriousness of the measures, by insisting that the bishops implement the decisions of the Congregation (using penal sanctions when necessary), by requiring an annual report from them on what was done in this regard, by occasionally sending some special observer on the spot, by bestowing honors on the more active and deserving people, etc.

An annual collection could be taken up in all the churches of the various nationalities to set up a fund, of which one part would go for the administration of the Congregation itself and the rest for the needs of the emigrants.  If Leo XIII could request a similar collection for the trade of Blacks slaves, could the present Pope not request one for the trade of Whites slaves?  Surely, everybody would gladly contribute to this collection because the need is more easily understood and felt.

In my opinion, it would also be a good thing to assign to this work of universal interest at least a part of the proceeds from the new authorized editions of ‑- for example ‑- the liturgical books, catechisms, and so on.  No one would oppose this.

Since this work aims solely at the greater glory of God and the salvation of souls, could God not bless it?

I will end with the following very significant words of Theodore Roosevelt, taken from the last issue of the Revue of Paris:

"The immigrant arrives almost without protection.  Generally, he does not know our language, is unfamiliar with our institutions, our way of life, our customs, and our way of thinking.  I am sorry to say there are many swindlers who hope to make a living by fleecing him.  Unless somebody on the spot helps him, he is literally lost.  A philanthropic or religious organization could do no more beautiful work than that of extending a helping hand to the men and women who come to us to become citizens or are parents of citizens.  If we do not care for them, if we fail to improve their lot, our sons and daughters will undoubtedly pay the price.  Either they rise or we fall."³³

"It would be the mustard seed"

Please pardon me if I bother you again regarding the plan, Pro emigratis catholicis.  The matter is much too important.  In the Memorandum I recently sent you on this matter, I wrote:  "I believe the Congregation should comprise representatives of the various nationalities which account for the greatest emigrant quotas,  etc.  These representatives should be competent persons who know the conditions and needs of their countrymen and women and also speak Italian so that the various members can communicate with the head of the Congregation, as well as with people in other related Roman Congregations.  This, I added, could easily be achieved by turning to the religious congregations who have devoted themselves to the care of their emigrant countrymen and women."

Now, if I may be even more practical and help facilitate the matter, I would propose that three missionaries of the Congregation of St. Charles (two from North America and one from South America) be called to Rome to devote themselves to the work of preparation, using to this end their experiences and studies, as well as the insights of other missionaries living in Rome.

If, in the ongoing reorganization of the parishes, we could have a church in Rome with an attached residence, the project would soon become a reality, without much ado and with very little expense.  It would be precisely the granum senapis (the mustard seed) that subsequently could spread farther and farther with the Lord's blessing, as Your Eminence wrote me recently.³⁴