37. Circular letter of Archbishop Corrigan⁸⁴

         New York, July 10, 1891

Reverend Sir:

The continued and ever growing Italian immigration to North America has been demanding for a long time serious measures on the part of those who, rather than exploitation, have at heart the spiritual and material well-being of the poor immigrants. Unfortunately, painful events had to be lamented because of the cunningness of some individuals who have taken advantage of the gullibility and often of the need of the poor immigrants.  

            These conditions, contrary to sentiments of honesty and the demands of the times, had to cease. On the initiative of the Fathers of the Missions for the Italian immigrants, these days the Society of St. Raphael’s for the Italians has been legally established with a solemn act. In spirit and purpose it is similar to the one already long existing in our city for the Irish and the German immigrants.

            An organization to which are entrusted the well-being and the future of the Italian community deserves our support and protection both because

as Pastor of this Archdiocese we must take care of everyone without distinction and because we have been honored to take on the effective Presidency of this Society. Therefore, while we bring to your attention this organization, we feel duty bound to ask you for your cooperation and to ask you to announce it to your flock next Sunday and to see to it that we have been honored to take on the effective Presidency of this through your authoritative word. The Italians entrusted to your care understand its importance and contribute to the support of such a highly charitable work.

            In order that you may act according to the Statutes of the said Society, we inform you that the members are divided in two groups: active members and coadjutor members. The first pay three dollars a year or twenty-five dollars one time only; the others, pay twenty-five cents per year. In this manner even the poor can contribute to the support of the Society.

            We shall send you a copy of the Statutes so that you may thoroughly know them, as well as a few leaflets to be distributed among the Italians in order to spread as widely as possible this information. Membership may be accepted by you or by Reverend Bandini at the office of the Society, Broadway No. 7.

            Certain that Your Reverence will work to implement this decision of ours, we impart to you our Pastoral Blessing.

New York, from our Archiepiscopal Residence, July 10, 1891.

M. Augustine, Archbishop of New York