I. Hartford Diocese

1.    McMahon to Scalabrini¹

         Hartford, October 30, 1888

Dear Bishop:

In my diocese there are several thousand Italians who find themselves in a condition of truly deplorable spiritual destitution. So far I have been able to do very little for them because I had no priests who could make themselves understood by these poor people. I have done my best to find Italian priests who would want to work among these people but without success.

            Recently I heard talk about the Institute that Your Excellency has put on its feet for the purpose to give spiritual help to the Italians scattered in the United States. In this State of Connecticut there are several thousand Italians employed in railroads, in factories and in public works, the majority of them without education, without sacraments, without any spiritual help. In the city of New Haven there are at least two thousand of them. I have bought a church, but it still remains without a pastor.

            Could I hope that these facts will move Your Excellency to respond favorably to my request that at least a priest be assigned to my diocese to work for the salvation of the souls of that isolated and destitute portion of the flock of Jesus Christ?

            It will be a pleasure for me to provide Your Excellency any information you will ask. With great affection and esteem, I remain

Your Excellency’s humble brother in Christ,

Lawrence L. McMahon, Bishop of Hartford