d) GOD'S PLAN

"Emigration is a good and an evil"

It is undoubtedly a good thing for both those who go and those who remain, a true safety valve, relieving the country of excess population, opening new avenues for commerce and industry, blending and perfecting civilization, broadening the concept of motherland beyond physical boundaries, making the whole world man's motherland.  But it is always a very grievous individual and national

evil when it is allowed to take place without laws, limits, guidance, or effective protection.  Emigration, in this case, would not mean lively and intelligent forces working for the good of the individual and of society but forces in conflict, often destroying one another in turn.  It would mean exploitation of the emigrants, to their detriment and shame and that of the land of their birth.  It would not mean life-giving waters but torrents without banks, which lose the riches of their waters among boulders and thistles, let alone destroy the cultivated farmland.¹⁴

"Emigration is an instrument of divine Providence even in the midst of catastrophes"

Emigration is a law of nature.  The physical and the human world depend on this mysterious force which stirs and mixes the elements of life without destroying them, carrying living organisms born in one place and scattering them throughout space, transforming and bringing them to perfection, thus renewing the miracle of creation at every moment. 

Seeds migrate on the wings of the wind.  Plants migrate from continent to continent on the waves of the seas and rivers.  Birds and other animals move from place to place.  But even more do human beings migrate, sometimes in groups, sometimes alone, and, in so doing, are always the free instruments of Divine Providence, which presides over human destiny, leading all people, even through great calamities, to their final goal: the perfection of man on earth and the glory of God in heaven. 

This is what Divine Revelation is telling us.  This is what history and modern science are teaching us.  It is only from this threefold source of truth that we can deduce the laws that govern the phenomenon of emigration and that we can set down the wise and practical guidelines regulating this phenomenon in all its rich variety of forms.¹⁵

"The religious and social greatness of the emigrants' cause"

I think that the religious and moral importance of the cause of our Italian emigrants and the political and material greatness of this hospitable country ‑- which, as the illustrious President of the Republic

pointed out to me a few days ago, opens wide its doors to them ‑- are two great components destined to be fused into one and to unveil to the 20th century the secrets of a new era that will lack neither the blessings of God nor the conquests of civilization (...).

I have traveled a considerable part of your glorious country and once again admired, with deep and enthusiastic joy, God's great designs for America.  When the 4th centennial of Christopher Columbus was being celebrated, I was invited to give some conferences on this subject back in Italy, for the simple reason that the family of Christopher Columbus had once belonged to my beloved diocese of Piacenza, though he himself was born in Genoa.

One of these conferences was entitled: "God's Plan for America."  I saw those thoughts confirmed during my happy stay with you on my long trip through the various States of the Union.¹⁶

"The union in God through Jesus Christ of all people of good will is taking place"

Some day, if neither laziness nor ignorance of the ways of God nor complacency over past victories nor repression of rightful aspirations deviates the people from the divine plan, all nations will have in this land numerous rich, happy, moral, and God-fearing descendants who, while retaining the characteristics of their respective nationalities, will be closely united.  This land of blessings will give rise to inspirations, develop principles, unfurl new mysterious forces that will regenerate and revitalize the Old World, teaching it the true economy of liberty, brotherhood, and equality, showing it that, though politically and religious united, people of different origins can very well keep their own language and nationality, without the barriers that divide people and make them envious, without armed forces to dominate and destroy one another (...).

This is my hope, gentlemen.  Yes, this is my hope!  For while the world is dazzled by its progress, while man exults in his conquests over matter and lords it over nature, disemboweling the earth, yoking the lightening, cutting isthmuses to mingle the waters of the oceans, eliminating distances; while nations fall and rise and renew themselves; while races mingle, spread, and fuse; above the roar of our machines, above all this feverish activity, over and beyond all these gigantic

achievements and not without them, a much vaster, nobler, and more sublime work is developing: the union in God through Jesus Christ of all people of good will.¹⁷

"The Catholic Church, victorious and peacemaking"

God's servants who, without realizing it, work for the fulfillment of his plans are numerous in all periods.  But in the great epochs of social renewal there are many more than we can see or imagine.  They are innumerable.  Gentlemen, remember this and never forget it: the supreme purpose divine Providence assigned humanity is not the conquest of matter by means of science, at a more or less advanced stage, nor the formation of those great peoples in which are embodied, from time to time, the attributes of power, wisdom, and riches.  No, his purpose is the union of all peoples in God through Jesus Christ and his visible representative, the Roman  Pontiff.  The obstacles still in the way of this magnificent goal will disappear little by little.  And the day will come, and it will come above all in this great and glorious country of yours, when all nations will understand where true greatness is to be found and will feel the need to return to the Father.  And indeed they will return.

Gentlemen, what a glorious day that will be!  A sublime day, in which all accents, all voices speaking different languages will raise to God the hymn of praise and thanksgiving.  The sun of truth will shine more brightly and the rainbow of peace will envelope the earth in all its colors.  It will be like an arch of triumph under which the Church will march victorious and peacemaking, drawing the modern world to herself.  And so society, renewed in Christ, will continue in order and justice on the path of freedom, true civilization, and progress.

Gentlemen, let us hasten that blessed day with our desires, our prayers, and our works!¹⁸

"Ancient piety is awakening"

I am deeply moved by what I have seen on my long pilgrimage.  I have seen the Catholic faith fully alive in the midst of innumerable difficulties in the fazendas of the State of Sao Paulo.  I have seen the faith of these settlements in Paranà, and I hope and pray that people in the cities of Latin America will imitate those of North America. 

Up there Italian churches are being built in all the cities.  Our Missionaries assist them together with other religious.  Ancient piety is awakening.  Good reputation and respect is daily increasing with the authorities, thus verifying once more that wherever an apostle raises the cross, civilization springs up spontaneously and material well-being increases.¹⁹