Parma,
Motherhouse August 8, 1928
The
Superior General
May
the Lord be blessed! He has granted more peaceful times to the immense Chinese
people, a people full of great hopes for the Catholic apostolate! I rejoice with
you, and pray the God of every consolation that you may in this moment of peace
reap an abundant harvest to make up for the time you had to pass in enforced
inactivity. May this mark the beginning of a new era for new conquests and
christian glory.
It
is needless to say that I followed all of the difficult moments of your mission.
I was never so close to you with my thoughts and prayers as during those trying
times. If previously I wanted to visit with you, to fulfill an obligation and to
satisfy a heartfelt desire, that desire is all the more present after the
difficult trials you underwent in these last months; after the sorrows, the
anxiety the sacrifices of every kind which you sustained with christian
resignation and strength. I would have already embarked on my plan if it were
not for the uncertain news which continues to arrive from there. This news
discouraged me. I feared that I would not be able to fulfill the purpose of the
trip or that I might be delayed en route, this would prove detrimental to this
vast diocese which cannot remain for such a long time without its bishop's
presence.
Hence
I cannot describe with what joy I recently received letters from Chengchow
assuring me that the hostilities which had prevailed for so long in that region
had terminated, and that I could attempt the long journey without undue
preoccupation. I cannot, I should not delay my coming any longer. At the end of
the month I will set out for your distant shores. I will advise you as to the
date of my departure from Parma.
The
purpose of my visit is not to see new regions or new customs. I want to speak
with you personally, bring you my blessing, congratulate you for the successes
obtained, encourage you to continue the work which has begun so well. I want to
see first hand what the true needs are, to see how and what the Institute can do
for you. I wish to name a religious superior as required by canon law and our
constitutions, finally I want to speak to the Vicar apostolic, who governs the
area so well, about the possibility of opening a novitiate of our congregation
there since we have been happily
informed that there are a number of young clerics who feel called to join our
society.
This,
and no other, is the only reason for my visit to China. I wish to speak with
each of you during my time with you, I wish to hear what you individually have
to say which can help me for the greater good of the society and of our
confreres in China.
Feel
free to speak freely and clearly, let there be no secrets, so that my visit
may truly be fruitful. This is also what our Rule prescribes for the Superior
General to do for the good of the society.
I
look forward to meeting and embracing you in the love of Christ Jesus. In the
meantime pray the Lord that nothing impede my coming, so that I may soon be able
to fulfill a long desired goal.
I
reverence the anointed hands of the Vicar Apostolic. I express the wish that
divine grace in abundance may always fill your heart, may it strengthen your
desire to serve God in the apostolate you embrace with such enthusiasm, namely
the salvation of souls redeemed by the blood of Christ, even to the end.
I bless you from the abundance of my heart
affectionately
in Christ Jesus,
+Guido M
Archbishop/Bishop
Superior General
St. Francis Xavier Foreign Mission
Society
