CHAPTER V

THE SPIRITUAL CARE TO BE PROVIDED MIGRANTS BY ITALIAN BISHOPS

41. Since migration has been more common among Italians than other peoples, the Holy See has been especially active in caring for Italian migrants. We, by this Apostolic Letter, confirm those special regulations drawn up by our predecessors with regard to Italians emigrating to foreign countries, and warmly commend those norms to the zeal, well known to us, of Italian Ordinaries. We take this opportunity to urge these local Ordinaries earnestly to fulfill our wishes.

42. Let them keep in mind, as a rule in undertaking and accomplishing this work, those words with which St. Pius X praised the committees and agencies: "There are in Italy, at the service of migrants, numerous committees, as they are called, and agencies, as well as other institutions of the kind, established by the bishops, by members of the clergy, and by laymen themselves, men remarkably generous with their goods and much attached to Christian wisdom."

43. Let them see that, at their initiative and under their direction, and with the co-operation of members of Catholic Action and of other Catholic groups devoted to the religious, moral and social aid of workers, there are set up committees and sub-committees for migrants, especially in those dioceses from which more migrants are departing.

44. Similarly, let them watch diligently that the committees thus established perform properly the duties assigned them and strive to attain their goal, the salvation of souls.

45. a) The local Ordinaries must not neglect to recom­mend that the pastors, engaged in this phase of their ministry, with their usual diligence, should warn their people against the spiritual dangers which ordinarily con-front them as soon as they leave their homes, their families, and their country.

    b) Therefore, pastors shall give suitable catechetical instructions to those of their parishioners who are pre-paring to migrate.

46. The Ordinaries must not hesitate to urge pastors to keep in contact with their people even after they migrate.

47. The following precepts of the Consistorial Congregation are to be observed scrupulously: "The Ordinaries of Italy, especially through pastors and through the agencies devoted to the assistance of migrants, shall sec that departing migrants and travellers are given ecclesiastical identification cards.

48. They must do their best, using the methods that seem most useful, to ensure the success both of the Day for Italian Migrants, to be held annually, and of the collection for the spiritual assistance of migrants. This collection should be forwarded to the Consistorial Congregation.

49. a) We congratulate those Ordinaries of dioceses out-side Italy, whether in Europe or overseas, who try, through national or diocesan agencies and commissions to provide every alien with spiritual and moral help, receiving them, though they are strangers, as members of their own flock. We request that in parishes where all or most of the members are of Italian descent, there be celebrated an annual Day for Italian Migrants, as provide in No.48 for the Ordinaries of Italy, and to see that the collection taken be sent to the Consistorial Congregation in support of the work for Italian migrants.

    b) Similarly, this should also be done with neces­sary modifications, for migrants of other nationalities and languages, so that a Day for Migrants may be celebrated throughout the whole Catholic world at one and the same time, on the first Sunday in Advent.

50. The Ordinaries of Italy may wish, finally, to urge their pastors to offer one Mass a year for the Holy Father's intention, rather than pro populo. They can call on them to adopt faithfully and voluntarily such a change since it is done for the benefit of Italian migrants.