7. Scalabrini to Rampolla¹¹

Piacenza, February 7, 1892

Your Eminence,

I am taking the liberty of sending you two copies of a new booklet of mine on Italian Emigration¹² and ask you to present one to the Holy Father in my name and keep one for yourself as a humble token of my deep regard for you.

            A short time ago some Masonic newspapers, among them Il Progresso of Piacenza, speaking of this work (the missionary institute) bemoaned the fact that this time the liberals were outmaneuvered by the clericals. The Church should hold on to this vaunted reputation by supporting this work in every possible way. I very much desire that the Holy Father, to whom, to a large extent, are owed the rich fruits of this work would warmly endorse it with a Brief, also to show his pleasure with the eminent

cardinals and bishops who have supported it and to motivate good people to give it the help it so desperately needs.

            Your Eminence, in your great kindness please try to obtain this singular favor for me, for which you too will be highly blessed. Recently, I have prayed the Lord so much for your well-being and had others as well pray for it that I almost have the right to ask for this favor.

            With all my heart I thank you in advance and declare myself

Your devoted and obedient servant

John Baptist Scalabrini, Bishop of Piacenza