11.  Scalabrini to Merry del Val¹¹

         Piacenza, February 18, 1904

Most Eminent Prince,

In answer to your venerable letter of the 15th last, I hasten to inform you that I will write the Superior of the Italian missions in North America so that he may prepare, as soon as possible, a priest for Philadelphia as Your Eminence wishes.

            True, it is always regrettable to send a missionary alone, since it is more or less contrary to the Rules. But every rule has its exceptions, and with pleasure I make this exception, in the hope I will soon be able to send there another priest.

            To accelerate procedures, I would humbly suggest that Your Eminence advice the person who made the request to get in touch with Father Paolo Novati, Provincial Superior of the Missionaries of St. Charles (Providence, R.I.), for opportune agreements, after an accord with the Archbishop of Philadelphia.

            I thank Your Eminence for the kind answer to my letter of the 3rd. The blessing of our most beloved Holy Father, pledge of God’s blessing, assures me that there will be some success.

            Humbly I kiss your Sacred Purple and with sentiment of special veneration I remain

Of Your Most Reverend Eminence devoted servant,

+Gio. Battista, Bishop of Piacenza