10. Scalabrini to Corrigan²⁹

         Piacenza, June 2, 1888

Most Reverend Excellency:

I introduce to You, esteemed and venerated Monsignor, Father Francesco Zaboglio, General Secretary of the Congregation of the Missionaries for the migrants. He is a man full of fever for our work, endowed with the best qualities of mind and heart, and has my complete trust.³⁰

            He has been charged by me with a double task. First, he is to study the organization of the welfare Committees for Emigrants established by

other nationalities, especially the Irish and Germans, and the manner in which they function, so that with God’s help, something similar might be done in favor of our poor Italians. Thus, a desire repeatedly expressed to me by Cardinal Simeoni will be carried out.

            The other task this priest is charged with is to obtain from Your Excellency information about the conditions of the Italian immigrants there and to deal with you in my name and as my special representative, and also, if possible, to conclude in a definitive way the establishment of our Missionaries there.

            I have no doubt that Your Excellency, zealous as you are for the salvation of souls and who in particular have taken so much at heart the cause of the poor Italians, will help and advise on both points Fr. Francesco Zaboglio. He, on the other hand, has been instructed to follow Your Excellency’s orders and wishes to the letter.

            I receive from these Italian immigrants continuous requests to send them priests ready for any sacrifice. I have answered them only once urging them to have full trust in Your Excellency and to rely on you as on a loving father who is moved by the most ardent charity for their welfare and their sanctification.

            I am not hiding the difficulties that Your Excellency will have to face, but with faith in God, I dare to express my hope and my earnest desire to see our work crown with a happy success.

            Accept the thanks I send from the bottom of my heart and the expression of my highest esteem. I remain

Your Excellency’s, very devoted and affectionate servant and confrere,

+Gio. Battista, Bishop of Piacenza