Santoro History Congr 1945-1962 en- Chapter 5

7/31/2019 Santoro History Congr 1945-1962 en- Chapter 5

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Chapter V

The first normal Chapter and its consequences

1 - The 1945 General Chapter

Perhaps never a General Chapter of ours will be celebrated with so much faithand much spiritual preparation of prayers and penances, as this our first Chapter. Andit is because of this that Satan seemed to hurl himself against it particularly in orderto destroy its holy fruits!

Just read again the Circular Letter written by that man of faith, who was ourFather Vitale, and its detailed prescriptions of prayers to be done in the Houses ofthat time, since the arrival of the Circular letter on July 9 until the closing of theChapter, in order to understand the climate of spirituality which preceded it. Theprescriptions were articulated in six points, and were accomplished scrupulously inthe Houses, waiting for the longed for fundamental event of the small Congregation.Perhaps today many would say that the practices of piety were too many. But thiswas the climate of piety that reigned in the Work at that time, as a faithful inheritance

of the Father and which very faithfully interpreted by Father Vitale.Since the Constitutions of that time prescribed that all the perpetually professed

Fathers had the right to take part in the General Chapter, Fr. Vitale wanted itsopening to be delayed for some days, to give the possibility to participate also to theactual Deacons, who were going to be ordained on next the July15, and who wouldhave become our Fathers Aveni, Indelicato, Santarella, Tarantini, Vilardi.

In the letter of convocation, in application of the art. 214 of the Constitutions, Fr.Vitale prescribed that in the Major Houses, with secret voting among the Fathersmembers of the House, they were to chose those who had to substitute the Superiorsand replace the indispensable officers, reserving to himself the confirmation andapproval. there was a captious letter of Fr. Cusanelli opposing this, but Fr. Vitale withthe Council did not take it into consideration.

In June, when the Fathers Drago and Tusino went to ask H. E. Msgr. Pasetto if theChapter was to be held, they presented a petition to the same Msgr. Pasetto,formulated by the three Counselors, foreseeing would be happened because of theadvanced age and the health situation of Fr. Vitale. In the petition they were askingthat in any case the title of Superior General and the presidency in Council withpreponderant vote be preserved for revered Father Vitale, while new Superior electwould have all the powers, but the title of Vicar General. Msgr. Pasetto could notaccept the petition, because it was anti-canonical.

Thus twenty-seven out of the thirty-nine Fathers composing the Congregationassembled. Twelve remained in the Houses for their running and indispensableactivities. In the bigger Houses they had been chosen freely by the Fathers andconfirmed by Fr. Vitale, who was not a man used to be led by reasons of human

likening.Thus every thing settled, in the Church of the Institute Christ King, the actual

Institute for Deaf and Mute, on the morning of August 6, 1945, all the Members of theChapter assisted to celebrated Holy Mass celebrated by the First Counselor, Fr.Santoro, during which Fr. Vitale read his fervent prayer to implore divineenlightenment on the works of the Capitular Fathers. Then the VeniCreatorwas sung,the prayers prescribed in the aforesaid Circular were done, and recollected and awareof the importance of the moment, they entered the Capitular Hall, prepared in one ofthe larger rooms of the Institute.

Fr. Vitale, after the usual prayers for all common actions, reminded again thatthe Chapter is not an assembly as any other, but a cenacle, in which the Holy Spirit

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will make his presence felt for the good of the Congregation. Therefore he declaredopen in solemn form the General Chapter of the Congregation of the Rogationists. 27Fathers were presents, whose names are listed in Acts of the Chapter and in theirabstract published in the internal Bollettino of the whole Work.

In the afternoon the Chapter started the ritual formalities: oath of fidelity,election of the scrutineers and so on. Fr. Tusino, being the Secretary of the Council,according to the Constitutions of that time, was also the Secretary of the Chapter,

read a detailed relation on the state of the Congregation, as published in the Acts.August 7 was dedicated, upon decision of Fr. Vitale, to meetings and

consultations. The only one exempted was Fr. Santoro, who had to be sworn in astestimony in the canonical process for the virtues of the Father at the Ecclesiasticaltribunal which held its session in the House of St. Anthony.

That day, which in the always straightest candid mind of Fr. Vitale should havebeen of mutual enlightenment for the upcoming capitular elections and transactionswhich were to be discussed, became instead a day of recrimination, dispute, andregurgitation of all complains brooded since a long time and accumulated against thepeople, who until then had carried the immense weight of the work and responsibility[of the Congregation].

Perhaps all this happens usually in all the religious Chapters. But our small

Congregation did not have any experience previous in this matter, and this obviouslyprovoked a comprehensible bitterness and resentment in the people in authority whosaw themselves challenged by their own very youths, whom they had accepted andraised. It was too bitter for the poor human nature.

This animosity had a particular intensity in the youths, for the hard experiencesof the recent war, which had shaken the nerves of all. This can explain somemanifestations during and after the Chapter, though the saintly Fr. Vitale his spiritualauthority of a nearly eighty years old father had insisted many times on the spirit offaith so as to cover the eyes with a handkerchief in order to recognize the will ofGod.

But speaking of death, is different from dying.On August 8 the Chapter proceeded with the election of the Superior General. Fr.

Santoro turned out elect at the 1st

scrutiny. He asked twenty-four hours of time inorder to accept or not. He was not willing at all to accept, and wanted to consultindividually the most qualified members of the Congregation, and, if possible, also theEcclesiastical Authorities. The situation was truly overheated.

With the usual filial confidence Fr. Santoro consulted privately Fr. Vitale, whoimposed him to accept in the name of God, because this was the Divine Will. Fr.Santoro consulted separately Fr. Tusino, Fr. Drago and others outside the Council, andthey answered more or less the same thing, because the will of God was clear.

He would have liked to consult also the immediate ecclesiastical Superiors, buthe realized that that Msgr. Paino was absentee from Messina, and Msgr. Pasetto wastoo much difficult to approach him; and at that time it was very difficult to go toRome.

In the session of the day after Fr Santoro said that he accepted [the office],trusting in the prayers and collaboration of all, and asking forgiveness from anyonewhom he might have displeased.

Fr. Vitale, who had always been in charge as the president of the Chapter, madea telegram to Msgr. Pasetto. Fr. Santoro instead made a letter of greetings andsubmission, expressing the sentiments of most perfect adhesion to the directives ofthe wise Visitor and of the Sacred Congregation.

Then the Chapter passed to the election of the Counselors. At the opening [ofthe session] Fr. Drago protested, to everybodys dismay, starting with Fr. Vitale, notto give any office to him, because he would have not accepted it. Fr. TursiGiovangelista, Fr. Ippolito Carmelo, Fr. Francisco Campanale, Fr. Filippo Donvito, in

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Through Fr. Vitale, Fr. General was able to convince Fr. Cusanelli to continuebeing the Superior of Oria. Until then the Congregation never had the office ofGeneral Treasurer according to the indications of the Constitutions. In Messina, wherewe had the greater economic interests, the role of General Treasurer had beenpractically done, with all the books that this requires, by Fr. Ruggeri Camillo.

Father General, also through Fr. Vitale, prayed Fr. Camillo to make the turn overof the books and signatures to the newly elected general treasurer. At first Fr. Camillo

asked at least forty days of time and an assistant. He was granted Fr. Coluccia, inwhom he had confidence. But the turn over, unfortunately, was never done until theVisitor came.

Also the Prefect of the students, that until then did not exist, was elected, uponsuggestion of Fr. Vitale, and accepted by the new Council.

Unluckily all these attentions did not succeed to calm the minds. Fr. Santoro,after settling things in this way, in spite of the difficulties that travelling meant at thattime because of the consequences of the lost war, decided to go to Rome, in order tointroduce himself to Msgr. Pasetto and to listen to his directives, and also for thetransactions of the derequisition of Trani and of the construction of the House inRome, as well as of the setting of the administration of the assets, which was stillgoing on with its disadvantages since 1932.

The morning of August 24, at 4,30 am. Fr Santoro left from the port of Messinabound to Naples on the motorboat Abbey accompanied by Fr. Redento and by aSister, who was going to Circonvallazione Appia Street. The travel for disturbed by therough sea, and both the Sisters and our Redento Father suffered badly because ofseasikness. The small boat reached the port of Naples in the evening; but it had toremain outside, waiting to be allowed by the Ally Headquarters to enter in port. Thepermission came towards 9 pm. Thus the ship could berth at the Santa Lucia wharf.All the passengers, and they were several, wished reach thee Central Station in orderto proceed for their own destinations. An truck authorized to travel by night carried allwith their baggage till the Central Station.

But it was impossible to get tickets on any train directed to Rome. Thus FatherGeneral with Fr. Redento and the Sister had to accept, together with other

passengers, direct to the same destination, an uncovered private small truck, whichplayed that somehow a kind of route, along the Appia Road.

The track reached the outskirts of Rome, in the area of St. Giovanni in Lateran,shortly before the nine of the day after, in the midst of a chaotic traffic early in themorning, in which it avoided two accidents by sheer miracle.

The sister downloaded at to Pontelungo, after having greeted the two Fathersand continued by herself; the two Fathers continued till St. Giovanni square in orderto find the transportation which could carried them and their baggage to St. Catherinaof the Rota. In the morning of August 28 Father General could be received by Msgr.Pasetto, who received him it with affection; but could not withhold a strong complainabout that blessed House of Rome, whose construction was not even started, to thepoint that we thought, he added, of giving the land to others. Then: It is good that

the Theologate comes to Rome, but St. Catherina of the Rota is a hole, and the Housein Fiuggi offered by the Fathers of the Consolata has been already rented to others.

In the afternoon the same hard complain was made by the Eng. Di Gioia, theperson in charged by us since several years to follow up the House of Rome. He couldnot understand our sleeping, while the prices were going up to astronomical figures.Fr. General discussed with him the technical details, like the determination of theboundaries with S.T.A. [the Municipal transportation company], the firms to be invitedfor the bidding, and other things, which seems useless to mention, since practically,because of the ensuing events, nothing could be done.

On the following Sunday, August 26, Father General went to the Sisters Houseat Circonvallazione Appia Street, to greet M. Espedita Ambrosia, who had become the

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new Superior General of the Daughters of Divine Zeal few months before. She wasalready known by Fr. General, because she was from Molfetta, but also when she wasthe local Superior in Rome. Together with her he greeted the Council: MotherMargherita, whom he knew when she was Daughter of Mary in the Sanctuary of St.Anthony, and Mother Longina, whom he knew since she was in Oria.

Also the Council of the Daughters of Divine Zeal had been renewed recently,when Msgr. Pasetto had assigned his Undersecretary, the canon lawyer Fr. Larraona,

to follow up and to take care of the Daughters of Divine Zeal. They too were carryingthe burden of a difficult beginning of a new government; but they had the wise andexperimented guide of Fr. Larraona, who used to come regularly to their GeneralHouse.

Naturally there were some hints at the fraternal troubles, also because at thattime the ties of the administrative interests were much stronger.

3 - Three urgent problems

The new Council in its meetings in Messina had taken also decisions regardingthe needs of the Congregation: and had entrusted to Father General their study anddevelopment. Three of them were particularly urgent: the so much desiredconstruction of the House of Rome, which had already prepared since before the war;the transferring of the Theology students to Rome, and the derequisition of the Houseof Trani, still occupied by the Polish refugees.

For the first problem, hardly had General Father introduced himself to Msgr.Pasetto, to the Card. Vicar, and dealt with the Eng. Di Gioia, our person in charge,that he had to endure strong complains, because since too long time there was muchtalk but no appreciable result, and they attributed it to our negligence. The Vicariatehad already allotted since a long time the operation of a Parish in that area to entrustto us, if we decided to construct at least a Chapel.

It is true that the war had stopped everything, but by now the normal life hadresumed everywhere, and was urgent to make a decision.

On August31, also according to the desire of H. E. Msgr. Pasetto, Father Generalwith Eng. Di Gioia went to make an inspection in the area, in order to see practicallywhat had to be done and to come to an agreement on the proposals to be presented,taking everything into consideration, to H. E. Cardinal Vicar Marchetti Selvaggiani. Itwas agreed to construct a building inclusive of everything, though smaller than thepre-war plan, in which would be there also a hall to be used as a Chapel for thefaithful, while waiting for the future Church.

On September 1, there was the meeting with the Cardinal. He agreed with theproposed plan, taking into account the devaluation of the currency, of the incredibleincrease of the prices and of the labor, and the real value in that time of our moneydeposited in the account of the Work of Religion (the so called the Vatican Bank).Before the war, Arch. Savoia of Messina had considered the amount enough for theexecution of the plan. It was little more than four million.

Msgr. Jorio, who later became Cardinal, but who at that time was directing theWork of Religion, requested by Father General, said clearly: Forget that the money,which you have deposited here, could have still, even approximately, the value theyhad before. We will defend the religious Institutes, but heavy taxes will be imposed onus. Besides, the prices of material and labor maybe will decrease with the improvingof the transportations, and the production of cement will soon be unblocked. But theprices will never be anymore like those before the war. With what you have, what canyou do? You have to look for other sources. If the Cardinal exhorts you to build [thechurch], you have to take courage and entrust yourselves to the Divine Providence.See how the St. Paul Fathers are doing, near the St. Paul Basilica; but they rely onseveral sources.

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For the transferring of the theology Students to Rome, the ancient dream ofFather Founder, many solutions were attempted, time and again. Msgr. Pasetto usedto encourage us; also in the Vicariate Msgr. Ercole and Msgr. Traglia use to assure usthat we were not in need of doing anything, because we had already was thepermission of residing in Rome at St. Catherina of the Rota. We could just present asmall memorandum to Cardinal Vicar, who for sure would not have anything incontrary that the Students come to Rome and are ordained in Rome.

But even Msgr. Patto himself told us that while waiting for the new construction,we had to find a proper temporary place, because the rooms of St. Catherina of theRota were uninhabitable. Therefore Father General started searching for properpremises. He came to know from friends who to Monte Mario were the premises ofthe already closed Fascio Littorio [Fascist Association], which could easy beobtained from the Ministry of Interior; but they were occupied by the works of DonOrione. They had entered there illegally and they were still here in spite of therepeated threats of evacuation of the succeeding public administrators. In that waythe Orionini then were occupying, eight very big buildings.

Beside St. Catherina of the Rota, there were the rooms of St. Philip leant to theChurch of St. Jerome of the Charity. The Superiors of the St. Philip Fathers of St.

Jerome and St. Maria Nuova were making some difficulty, because of some guest, to

whom they had some commitment. On September 16 the Superior let us know thatthe rooms were free, and their rental could start from next November 1; he asked 500Liras monthly for each room. Msgr. Pasetto approved it; provided that that we did notneglect the construction in Asti Square.

Other proposals were also examined and considered, but the events of thereaction of the dissatisfied members of the Chapter had everything aborted as we willsee.

As for the derequisition of the House of Trani occupied from the Pole refugees,Father General spoke with Dr. Stanghetti, personal secretary of H. E. the MinisterSpataro. He promised that he would do some tentative with the Allied Command, buthe gave us little hope.

Also the American Jesuit Father Mac Cornick, who was connected with the Allied

Command, though taking the problem at heart, promised that he will do all he can,but could not assure a practical result, because the situation was depending on theAllied Authority of the Bari Area.

With Prof. D. Pasqualino Marsella, Father General went to the De-requisitionsOffice, where he found an American Colonel who had been his student; but when heheard that the House was occupied by the Polish refugees, he opened his arms andanswered that there was little to do: Poor people! They are too much exasperated.We could have tried with greater effectiveness through the [Vatican] Secretariat ofState, which through the Administrators Stone and Myron Taylor could influence onthe territorial Command of Bari and try an exchange. Through the CommendatorBonatti, of the Arch-confraternity of St. Catherina of the Rota, Father General went tospeak at Secretariat of State with Msgr. Nasalli Rocca, who requested a pro-memorial

about the issue.In the meantime he tried also a directed way to the Polish Command, with a

petition to the Polish Army Ordinary, Msgr. Gaslina, who was hosted by the PolishSisters, in Machiavelli Street.

During these operations, a threat more serious than the requisition itself, whichsooner or later was going to be over, was looming over Trani. A threat coming fromthe most unthinkable side: from the Daughters of the Divine Zeal. It was part of theinner front that was being organizing against the new government of theRogationists. The Sisters had succeeded to convince their Visitor, Fr. Larraona, thatthe agricultural land of Trani belonged to them and that the Rogationists wereoccupying it illicitly. Therefore it was the moment not to let anymore the Rogationists

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go back to it, as soon as the building would be de-requisited. Thus Fr. Larraona issuedan order for the last remnants of the Male Institute to go away.

Fr. Prudentino Liborio run to Rome and with Fr. Tursi, who was already there,they went to demonstrate to Fr. Larraona the illegality of the order, indeed itsfraternal cruelty in that moment. Fr. Larraona thus postponed its implementation.Father General on November 4, with an improvised arrangement on a Polish truck,from Trani went to Rome to complain that he was not even informed of such an order.

But he became aware that unfortunately these were only the initial signs of a terriblestorm, provoked by the inexperience of the disappointed and dissatisfied members ofthe Chapter, but which could have given to the small Congregation such a start tosweep it away forever. The Lord did not allow it. A Giona had to submerged by thewaves to calm the storm.

4 - The terrible reaction of the disappointed members of theChapter

The situation which we are going now to remember is much humiliating andpainful. The only true justification of these facts was for sure the lack of knowledgeand the inexperience. Therefore, we will avoid making names, believing in their good

faith during this terrible fraternal fight, carried out with too much obviousvenomousness and falsity.

Father General with an improvised arrangement on a Polish truck,, had gone toRome for the never ending issue of Trani. On November 8 he went to greet and giveaccount of the course of the events to H. E. Msgr. Pasetto. Monsignor received himvery angrily, because Fr. Vitale had not been put in Council, because the Chapter hadbeen done in their own way, because the best ones had been left in the Houses.General Father could not say but few words, because Msgr. Pasetto was expected bythe Cardinal, who had summoned him.

The following day, November 10, Father General went to house of Msgr. Pasettoto speak with him with more calm. He found Monsignor more reasonable, and listenedto him with calm, although he was still irritated.

The Congregation, he said, does not intervene, unless there are, notanonymous, but written and signed letters.

But, Excellence, the Acts of the Chapter are drawn up, written and signedexactly by Fr. Tusino, as a Secretary. If you like I can have them bought here andpresent them to your Ecc. for examination.

Get them, and present the documents you can.November 15 Father General presented to Msgr. Pasetto the original Acts of the

Chapter, which he had brought by Fr. Ippolito from Messina; and added a petition, inwhich he was answering more or less to the accusations which had surfaced from theconversation with Msgr. Pasetto.

Mons. Pasetto looked calmer. But said: Even Fr. Nalbone, who was assistant ofthe Jesuits Fathers of Italy, and that now is his confessor, laments for having beingput aside.

Your Excellence, His confessor is a Camillian Father! By then all was clear. It was all a plot in order to impress. Poor Father Vitale!

They are using him as a banner or as a rag? Even the walls know the tact withwhich he has been treated; and nobody, even the rebellious, have given a vote tohim, as it is obvious and documented.

The same evening Father General went to Cardinal Prefect, who resided at theConvitto St. Francis, where Cardinal Lavitrano dwells, meets people, also upon adviceof friends. He was much affable and paternal. The talk fell on the necessity of havingthe decree of papal right; but he said thus: Now let us see the result of this visit. Theatmosphere is not serene.

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Fr. General understood therefore that a visit was being foreseen.In fact, some days after Eng. Di Gioia insisted to know when the works were to

start would have beginning, because the Companies invited for the bidding had tomake their plans. He could not give any answer and thus went to ask from Msgr.Pasetto. He answered: Say to the engineer that to wait. You go to Messina and thereyou will know what to do. Father General left for Messina; and, as soon as he arrivedin Messina, on November 25 he went to visit Fr. Vitale at Christ King. He found Fr.

Vitale cold and uncommunicative. Or quam mutatus ab illo! Were was his habitualpaternity, the confidence of many years, never withdrawn, not even in thevicissitudes of the Chapter, the affection with which he had always surrounded Fr.Santoro, whom he had obligated to accept [the role of Fr. General]?

Availing of some sentences escaped from Fr. Tusino, Father General went toplace under the eyes of the poor Father Vitale the tremendous truth, which had beenplanned. He reminded Fr. Vitale what he had many times recommended in theChapter, that the dirty cloth must be cleaned among us, not with the outsiders, evenSuperior, that this it was the beginning, but it was not foreseeable what could be thedevelopment. And so on. It seemed that Fr. Vitale understood that they had placedhim on a false road, and spoke of a kind of coalition, of which she had been thevictim.

Also Msgr. Archbishop, who had summoned them about his projects, wasdisappointed by these news; and Father General presented to him the printedabstract of the Capitular Acts and a copy of the petition presented to Msgr. Pasetto.Msgr. Archbishop was much saddened by the direction of the events; but he assuredthat the crisis will be resolved! Later, however, stay closer to the Shepherd. Clearlyhe appeared not much happy of the way of acting of the Rogationists of Messinatowards him.

On December 3 Fr. General received a registered letter of Fr. Agnello Jaccarino,communicating his appointment as Apostolic Visitor of our Congregation, and gavethe related dispositions. He would have come as soon as he could be free from hisactual commitments. Father General immediately made his Circular letter to theHouses, notifying the nomination of the Father Jaccarino as Visitor of the

Congregation.

5 - The Visit of Fr. Jaccarino

The month of December 1945 passed, because the Father Jaccarino had to finish

his previous commitments as preacher. He wrote saying that he was sorry for the

delay and ordering Fr. Ruggeri, in the meantime to make the turnover to the

Treasurer elect, Fr. Carbotti.

On January 1, 1946 he arrived reached unexpectedly in Messina in order to start

the Visit.

Evidently the Sacred Congregation had entrusted this assignment to Fr. AgnelloJaccarino because Msgr. Pasetto, as a Secretary of the same Congregation, could not

take care directly of it, because Father Jaccarino in his previous visit in 1931 had

demonstrated his tact and integrity, and also had known the Institute of the

Rogationists, its exponents and its problems; but also because it had been implicated

the name of Fr. Nalbone, the now retired, authoritative eminent Jesuit, former

Superior of the Jesuits and of Fr. Jaccarino himself.

Fr. Jaccarino went to pay homage to H. E. Msgr. Archbishop and to listen to him.

Then he went to Fr. Nalbone, his old confrere and former Major Superior. Fr. Nalbone,

even without having been requested wanted to declare spontaneously that he never

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intended to meddle with this situation nor to defend a part or the other. His task by

now was only that of praying. Fr. Jaccarino wanted on purpose to let us know these

sentiments of Fr. Nalbone. But it was visible that even him, poor old man, was aware

of the wrong direction taken.Then Fr, Jaccarino began the interrogation of the individual Fathers, starting with

the General Father. The accusations formulated in several memorials practically werecentered on the effort to demonstrate that the Chapter has been maneuvered andwas counting on the more sensational argument, that the holy and revered Fr. Vitalehas been intentionally set a part. And in order to support their thesis, they hadreported phrases, altered attitudes and facts, charitable actions were malignantlymisinterpreted.

Fr. Santoro was the one most maltreated. He was accused of having preparedsince a long time his candidature, seducing the young ones. The same way in whichthe Chapter had been shrewdly lead, rendered it invalid.

He dodid not understand anything of the spirit of the Father. The newGovernment was driven by a mania of innovation and reform, also because Fr.Santoro was a rebel of the Council. He had whimsically wanted a Marian Mini-Congress in Trani and on the occasion of the election had a picture of himself done to

be published on the Rogate ergo of Trani, in order to look youngerFr. Visitor asked him to answer to these accusations. Fr. Santoro promised to inthe best way he could, but it would take a volume. It is easy to accuse, but todemolish the accusations you need prove it with the citation of facts and events.However, the Act of the Chapter wanted, requested and written just by those whotoday they are rebelling to it, speak by themselves. All, and especially the rebelreligious, knew better than any other did how things went. Nevertheless, the passionunfortunately blinds, until no light can be seen. Even them as, members of theChapter, had not given any vote to Fr. Vitale, both for his health conditions, as well asbecause it would have been a lessening and putting him under others, also as amember of a Council composed by very young persons.

At the end of his analysis, Fr. Visitor exhorts all the Religious to charity and

obedience, with much calm and serenity. Naturally all the authors of the orchestratedcampaign were disappointed. They were like shipwrecked, holding to anyargumentation, even those out of place and inconsistent.

What was displeasing above all was the embarrassment they created around theSaintly Fr. Vitale; without mentioning the ferment of the young students who areaware of everything, up to the point of fearing a moral collapse. But it is inevitable forscandals to happen, says the Gospel.

Having finished his visit in Messina, Fr. Jaccarino left for the Puglie region,recommending Father General visit often Fr. Vitale, as, on the other hand he hadalways done; because Fr. Vitale, from his couch, unfortunately comes to know onlywhat the gossiper and dissatisfied, including the gossiping the Sisters, tell him.

In Puglia Fr. Jaccarino had to call Father General for some proposals of

foundations, at St. Michele Talentino, Monopoli, St. Fara in Bari and so on. ThereforeFr. Santoro went to Puglia and accompanied Fr. Jaccarino in the the examination ofsuch proposals. Then they went to Trani. Here the Archbishop, Msgr. Petronelli, hadwords of fire against the decisions deliberated in Rome, concerning the Sisters.

Taking advantage of that moment of difficulty, they were trying to evict theRogationists from Trani, and againt the Ecclesiastical Authorities, who had givenorders on nonexistent accusations, without asking the Ecclesiastical Authority of theplace.

On February15, with improvised means of transportation, a Polish care in theevening Fr. Visitor with Father General left for Rome. Fr. Jaccarino was going to makehis report on the Visit, and Father General in order to speak with Msgr. Mimmi,Archbishop of Bari, who was hosted in the Parish of St. Joseph at Trionfale and Work

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of Prof. Di Cagno, the longed Work with the street children, which Monsignor wantedabsolutely to start in favor of the abandoned children in Bari.

In the paternal and amiable conversation, granted by Monsignor to Fr. Santoro,he complained against the bureaucracy, which was tying his hands for thisindispensable work. They concluded that for the practical implementation they wouldhave spoken concretely as soon as possible on the place, in Bari.

Fr. Jaccarino prepared and presented his report, that the Sacred Congregation

examined carefully. In conclusion, in the name the Card. Prefect, the Secretary, Msgr.Pasetto, proposed to him to continue to assist the Congregation of the Rogationists.Because of the disciplinary and administrative relations, connecting them together,he would have to assist also the Congregation of the Daughters of the Divine Zeal. Atthis proposal, Fr. Jaccarino backed up, saying that it was convenient. He had had toomany troubles from the Daughters of the Divine Zeal in his previous visit in 1931, andhe did not want to face the same troubles.

Msgr. Pasetto decided to reflect on it.In the meantime Father General in Rome met Msgr. De Filippis, Archbishop of

Brindisi, for the proposal of St. Michele Salentino; Msgr. Bianchi, Bishop of Monopoli,about the proposal of foundation in that city; Msgr. Paino, who was residing at theHouse of the Redentorists at Merulana Street, for an exchange of opinions on ours

things, and his judgments were unfortunately precise and right; H. E. Card.Agagianian, who had become our Sacred Allyed, after his visit to the House of Oria.With representatives of that House, who had brought spiritual gifts as thanksgiving,Fr. Santoro went in audience to the Armenian College in St. Basilio Street. Thecardinal received them with immense goodness and asked what was the situation ofthe process of our recognition as Pontifical Right. Father General answered in ageneral way; had him known

These Prelates were in Rome for the public Consistory, which was held onfebruary 21, in the most solemn way, as a demonstration of the greatness anduniversality of Holy Church of God. Father General together with Father Jaccarinoassisted to it.

Waiting for the Sacred Congregation to send its venerable decisions, Father

General with Fr. Jaccarino left with a train of allied for Naples, with the intention toexamine the job of Fr. Levi, who it wanted a Neapolitan Rogationist foundation at anycost. In that occasion Father General went to celebrate to Pompei at the Altar of OurLady, then to Church of Jesus, at the altar of St. Francisco Saverio beside the tombof the servant of God, Dr. Moscati. And in the afternoon of 1 March, with Fr. Jaccarinowho had to go to Taranto, the General left with him, towards the Puglie. In order toreach Oria, from Francavilla Fontana he had to avail of a cart: there was no othermeans.

After visiting the Houses of Puglia, he left for Messina, to wait for the decisions ofHoly See. And there he receive the official letter of taking leave of Fr. Jaccarino. FrGeneral immediately sent this communication through a Circular to the Superiors ofthe Houses and their Communities.

6 - Father Larraona Visitor

After the dismissal of Fr. Jaccarino, everything stopped. The Father Generalwithdrew to St. Anthony in Messina, waiting for the decisions of Holy See.

Meanwhile a strange, almost incredible thing happened.Msgr. Barbaro, the secretary of Msgr. Paino, started to make pressures for the

foundation of Rometta, a beautiful small convent in a pleasant position, promisingconstructions to be added for the works that we might wanted to be done. Fr.Argentieri Peterfrom Oria wrote that the Archbishop of Brindisi, Msgr. De Filippis, waswaiting for the foundation of St. Michele Salentino, in that Church and House which Fr.

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Jaccarino and Father General had visited before. Msgr. Bianchi, Bishop of Monopoli,notwithstanding his prejudices, wrote that the house is ready, because has obtainedthe derequisition of the proposed Convent, and was waiting for a inspection. Fr. Lagatisent a wire from Trani saying that Msgr. Mimmi in Bari had obtained twenty-twomilitary shacks and was waiting for personnel in order to begin the Work of the StreetChildren. Fr. Levi sent a wire from Naples asking a skilled Father for the adaptation ofthe building into Orphanage in that city.

But practically nothing could be made, or better it was not proper to commitourselves in anything. Does it not look like that the Lord wanted to joke and to say:See I exist?

In the meantime the fight of the Daughters of the Divine Zeal in Messina,because of the St. Anthonys propaganda, became more and more fierce, mostprobably also upon instigation of someone of our confreres. It reached the point that,in order to avoid public scandals Father General had to make a petition to Msgr.Pasetto for an intervention from above. One day, Monsignor, had the occasion to say:It is time for you to separate [from the sister] once and forever. Even Msgr. Painosays that you are always quarreling. You love each other like dogs, as the Florentinessay.

On April 10 a letter from Fr. Larraona, communicated to Father General that the

Holy Father appointed him (Fr. Larraona) as our external Superior. Fr. General showedthe letter of Fr. Larraona to Msgr. Paino, who had summoned him for an exchange ofideas. Monsignor remains speechless. He exhorts only to acceptance and confidencein God. Perhaps neither him was expecting this.

Father General answered to Fr. Larraona paying homage to him waiting for hisdispositions, also about the many hanging transactions.

In the meantime on april 23 Fr. Donvito Philippreturned from Rome bringing thenews that Fr. Larraona was previously hesitating, but then had decided that for thetime being he will not come [to Messina]. He will send instead a Capuchin, Fr.Angelico of Alexandria, expert in economic matters.

From Bari in the meantime, the urge is mounting. The Council deemed that theyhad to act. But nobody knows the indications of the Instruction of Sacred

Congregation, mentioned by Fr. Larraona in his writing. However, Father General, alsobecause the Council believed that delaying meant not precaution but fear, decided tosend Fr. Labarbuta to Bari, and to inform immediately Father Larraona, insisting alsofor the other urgent transactions underway.

Fr. Angelico of Alexandria, a Consultor of the Sacred Congregation of theReligious finally came on May 1; he showed the documents of appointment of Fr.Larraona and his delegation ad omnia [ for all the matters] for him, with theInstruction, which is needed for his action and which he keeps for himself.

He declared that all the issues on the legality of the Chapter were closed andthat its elections were revoked, because Father Larraona, is Superior and Visitor ofthe two Institutes of the Rogationists and of the Daughters of the Divine Zeal, withordinary and extraordinary faculty. He had appointed Fr. Angelico, his Delegate.

Since the day after he starts his meetings, to deal with the several problems. Inthe beginning he gave a very good impression: swift and decisively, he resolvedmany difficulties through secret voting. Alone, he visited the Sisters and Fr. Vitale

Thus in the following days. Fr. Camillo finally turned over the other valuablewhich he was still keeping, approximately two millions.

On May 11, at noon, Fr. Angelico wanted all for lunch at St. Anthony. Also Fr.Vitale had to come down from Christ King. Later Fr. Angelico with General Father paida visit to the Sisters of the Holy Spirit. Then, in the evening, they left together forNaples and Rome. In Naples they saw what Fr. Levi had done for his great aspirationof a foundation of ours in that great city. Then they proceeded for Rome.

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On the 15th they were received by H. E. Msgr. Pasetto, who insisted that theadministrative division between the two Institutes, the mens and womens, be madeat any costs. Therefore Father General is requested by Fr Larraona to prepare a draftfor the practical realization of this so much awaited division. Fr. Larraona gave a lookto the draft and made his observations.

In the meantime Fr. Angelico with Father General went to the house of Eng. DiGioia, to discuss the construction to be done in Asti Square; and together with Fr.

Larraona talked about settling our business in Rome and other transactions. FatherGeneral thus was given back the book of the Minutes of the Chapter which Msgr.Pasetto had kept with himself during all that time.

In the afternoon of the 19th, the Mother General, with all the Council, receives Fr.Angelico and Father General, in order to discuss the modalities of the administrativedivision, on the base of the draft written up from General and corrected by Fr.Larraona. The Rev. Mothers accept to study the issue; and two days after theydeclared to be convinced of the necessity of this division. As good sisters they werecrying over the destruction of the Male Work. Oh, poor Work of the Fathers theywere saying all distressed.

After being around settling several matters, even administrative, Fr. Angelicowith Father General presented to Fr. Larraona the true state of the things. Fr.

Larraona wants absolutely to provide for the domestic works of the Rogationists,currently managed by the Daughters of the Divine Zeal, so as to substitute the Sistersby the next July 1st. Moreover he wants the Periodical God and Neighbor beentrusted to the Sisters Institutes; the Fathers Institutes will have to create anotherperiodical with different titles. He said that the Sisters, particularly in Messina, werehaving serious damages because of the Rogationists. Fr. Larraona was so impressedby the claims of the Sisters of Messina, that he would have wanted immediately Fr.Ruggeri to be reinstated to the economy.

Fr. Angelico went to the Sisters to examine claims and documents, and was easyto demonstrate to Fr. Larraona that it was all but a fantastic stunt.

However in a meeting on May 28 it was decided that we will start an otherperiodical, with to the title of The Herald of St. Anthony. God and neighbor from

now on must serve only the Sisters Institutes and must be written and printed bythem. Moreover also the internal Bollettino, which must be resumed, have to serveonly the Rogationists. The Sisters will have to provide by themselves if they want itfor their Houses.

The poor Mothers were irritated by these novelties, up to the point that, when aday Fr. Angelico with Fr. Appi, who was purposely assigned to the division of theaddresses [of the Anthonian Propaganda] since he was appreciated by the Sisters,went to the House of Circonvallazione Appia Street for dealing these matter, MotherGeneral sent somebody to answer that she could receive them because she was notfeeling well and the other Mothers had left and were to return in a few days. Fr.Angelico with Fr. Appi had to return without having done anything. The Sistersunfortunately knew that they were supported in their point of view by Fr. Larraona

and in some aspects also by Msgr. Pasetto. This (was) also another reason why Fr.Larraona insisted in all occasions for the suppression of the Fathers House in Trani,according to the vision of the Council of the Daughters of Divine Zeal.

Because of this set of mind, from that moment on practically Fr. Larraona caredand defended only the positions of the Daughters of Divine Zeal, leaving every care ofthe Rogationists to Fr. Angelico, though he was only his Delegate. And Fr. Angelico, inspite of the general delegation he received, he did not care anymore of the Sisters;and for the Rogationists practically he dealt diplomatically with Msgr. Pasetto. Forseveral aspects, this was providential.

7 - The construction of the House of Rome

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We must acknowledge that Fr. Angelico of Alexandria, Capuchin, as the Delegateof the Visitor, who was Fr. Larraona, quickly identified himself of the vital problems ofthe Congregation of the Rogationists, bypassing the forms, and using Father Generaland his Council elected by the Chapter, until a certain point, when it was convenientand he deemed them useful. It was not an easy task. The division and the animositieswere such that he too, though supported by Msgr. Pasetto, happened to make big

blunders.His first and most urgent thought seemed to be the so much longed for

construction of the House of Rome.On June 7 he convoked in the house of Eng. Di Gioia a decisive one meeting

attended, beside Father General, by Fr. Tursi and Fr. Drago whom he summoned onpurposely from Messina in order to follow the project in his name. The concretedetails of the construction were settled down, and about money he let us understandthat he will move heaven and earth in order to get them, in such a way that the partof the building that has been decided to construct may be completed in one year: itwas the basic resolution in order to resolve all the problems.

He remained in Rome with Fr. Drago to prepare what was needed; and he sentFather General to visit the Houses in order to see how the several works were being

arranged: how was the work with the street boys of Bari being started, how were theconditions of the derequisition of Trani, how was Fr. Levi maturing the desiredfoundation in Naples. Then Fr. General has to stay in Messina, until he does not callhim, for the problems of the Mother House.

Indeed that year, in June, the feast of St. Anthony assumed particular solemnityin Messina: the preaching of the Bishop of Lipari, Msgr. Re, Capuchin, the lunch forthe poor children of the city, who were so many, rendered those festivities veryinteresting. The lunch was presided by Msgr. Barbaro in the name of the Archbishop,and by the Prefect of Messina with his Lady. She offered to Father General onethousand Liras.

Father General dealt with H. E. Msgr. Paino about the next ordinations of someour clerics, of the cession of the former Hospital of Christ the King, that it had

ceases to be used as a military hospital, of the proposal of Rometta and othertransactions regarding Messina.

On June 15, Fr. Angelico wired from Rome for Father General to go immediatelythere because he had set everything for the starting of the construction in AstiSquare. Eng. Di Gioia would be collaborated by Mr. Sibbio a very competent foreman,an acquaintance of Fr. Angelico, under the immediate guide of Fr. Drago.

But other money were needed, besides the deposit on the account of the Worksof Religion and therefore he called also Fr. Ruggeri to Rome, to tell him to preparehis papers in order to leave for North America, where he had to procure dollars.Practically with a document written and signed from Fr. Angelico, Fr. Ruggeri hadhimself, appointed as director of the St. Anthonys Propaganda Office at Asti Square,and remained in Rome.

Later on it will be the kind Fr. Tursi to go to America; and there he will stay forever.

To raise money to the construction, he used all the possible means: selling ofunsold items of our warehouse, selling of machinery like the rotary press of Messinaand the shoe factory machineries of Oria, the change of the gold of St. Anthony. Allthis was done using the Treasurer Fr. Carbotti.

He favored by all means the creation of the of St. Anthonys Propaganda Offices,entrusting them to active Fathers, like Fr. Appi, Fr. Lagati and Fr. Ruggeri for Rome,who, being appreciated by the Sisters, could more easily obtain the division of theaddresses with the relative offices of the Sisters propaganda. He personally toured allthe Houses to get all he could hoard: gold of St. Anthony, objects, money.

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For this, not having succeed in sending Fr. Ruggeri, he sent Fr. Tursi to northAmerica, where it had a brother with family, in order to collect dollars.

However in that moment Fr. Anelico had to resort to loans, like that of .5.200.000, obtained from Fr. Treasurer of the Capuchins, on June 21, 1947, whichlater were reimbursed according to the requirements of the Rule with 10.000 dollars,which were lent by the Polish Sisters of Via Machiavelli, of whom he was also theVisitor. The construction had to be done in one year, because the agreement with the

Salettini Fathers was going to expire on July 1, 1947 and Fr. Angelico did not wantabsolutely to renew it, so that the Center of Studies had to be for the next year in AstiSquare. So they were able to finish on time and November 4, 1947 Msgr. Traglia,Vicegerent of Rome, future Cardinal Camerlengo di Holy Roman Church, blessed thenew Chapel for the faithful at Varallo Street and celebrated the first Holy Mass. At theGospel he said beautiful words on the Father, on St. Anthony, on the Rogate, showinga profound acquaintance with our reality.

Thus the House of Rome was founded. Father General two days after went toMsgr. Traglia to thank him for his participation and benevolence.

8 - The administrative division between the two Institutes

Until then, in spite of the dispositions of Sacred Congregation since 1928, thetwo congregations did not succeed in bringing about this blessed division. When theCorporation of the Daughters of the Divine Zeal had obtained the legalacknowledgment the real property of the Sisters they were transferred to thisCorporation. But there were always the relations of the St. Anthonys propaganda,whose Secretariats, at least in Messina and Oria, were in the hands of the Sisters.Moreover, from these interests originated some ties and interest which had theirconsequences also on the discipline and the several internal vicissitudes of theRogationists. It had became terrible burden for the steps of the male Congregation,while it seemed to favor almost the influence of the Sisters towards some Fathers andthe aversion to others.

The other great work of Fr. Angelico, which he felt as urgent, was the

administrative division. In this job often he was in contrast with the same Fr. Larraonaand the same Msgr. Pasetto, who were sensitive to the petitions and complains, oftenfantastic, of the Daughters of Divine Zeal, who knew well this weak side [of thesepersons] and were residing in Rome, while the Rogationists were happily living in thefar flung Messina, and were represented by that very sad man, who was Fr. Vitale.

For this reason, also in the division of the real estate, at the proper time, theSisters had been able of getting incredible provisions even in contrast with the realtruth.

Something similar was bound to happen now in the division of the St. AnthonysPropaganda. Here are some episodes.

On July 17, 1946, Fr. Angelico went to the Congregation to deal with Fr. Larraonaand Msgr. Pasetto about several matters. He wanted to be accompanied by Father

General, who after the meeting must receive the decisions. Coming out at the end ofthe long encounter, Fr. Angelico told Father General that there had been awfulappeals of the Very Rev. Mothers about the administration, even against Fr. Appi, whoused to be highly esteemed by them. He said that Msgr. Pasetto had exclaimed veryangrily: Why are we losing time with this Congregation adding: I have never foundmyself in such a mess! The Congregation is in dire straits. Msgr. Pasetto, Fr.Larraona, all the Sisters are with those He was referring to the rebellious of the[General] Chapter. He spoke in such way of the fight that both were making to eachother, that Father General exclaimed calm and serene: If the Lord does not want theCongregation, let it be suppressed. What can we do? Certainly we cannot continuelike this

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Few days later, taking his leave in order going to the provincial Chapter of hisProvince of Alexandria, though continuing to speak about the fraternal fighting, hesaid to Father General: The devil is quivering but we must save the Institute. Thedivision is to be done completely. When the Institute acquires its autonomy it willwalk by itself and no one will be able to stop it anymore.

The Sisters, to defend their presumed right, were able to find a certain Att.yCeccacci, who, having noticed that two fifth of Stocks of the Anonymous Corporation

were to be registered for the Sisters, tried to demonstrate in a paper that the Sistershad to own also two fifth of the real estate of the Rogationists.

Prof. the Galeotti, the administrator of the Anonymous Corporation, who knewthe true state of the matter, was astounded to read those few lines of Att.y Ceccaccispaper. Everybody knew that the Anonymous Corporation and the other thingconnected were just legal fictitious entities while waiting for the legalacknowledgment of the Government. Even Msgr. Jorio, who was keeping the stocks ofthe Anonymous Corporation at the Works of Religion, the so-called Vatican Bank, infront of this attitude of the Sisters, cried [to the Fathers]: You have been too good

just in order not to say naive or something much worse.About the toopic of division, after the separation of the addresses of the

anthonian propaganda of the housed of Messina and Oria, the most hurting point was

the property of the house in the outskirts of Trani, which, in the division made byMsgr. Pasetto was destined partly (building and agricultural land) to the Rogationistsand partly to the Daughters of the Divine Zeal.

The building and surroundings were still occupied by the Polish refugees; but inmeantime. while waiting for the derequisition, the Council of the Daughters of theDivine Zeal tried to convince Fr. Larraona, and partially also Msgr. Pasetto, that boththe building and the land were all their property illegally gotten by the Rogationists.

With this conviction, in good faith, they insisted with Msgr. Pasetto and theirdirect Visitor, Fr. Larraona, that the property be given back; and the occasion wasfitting, because the derequisition and the evacuation of the Polish refugees wasimminent. There was not a single time that Fr. Angelico and Father General went tothe Sacred Congregation, that the Superiors, Msgr. Pasetto and Fr. Larraona did not

make remarks on the noise that the Sisters were making for the restitution of theHouse in the outskirts of Trani; and, contrary to previous decisions. it seemed thatboth Msgr. Pasetto and Fr. Larraona did agree with them.

In a tour that Fr. Angelico with Father General made through our Houses,starting from Sicily, on August 28 they reached Trani. Fr. Angelico did not sayanything, but he later let us know that he was carrying already the decree compellingthe Rogationists to leave Trani, provided that the Sisters gave them an adequatecompensation.

He had been charged, in fact, to evaluate the portion [of Trani] occupied by theRogationists, and to have the Sisters pay for it according to his judgment. In themeantime he let us also understand that huge bad things had been said against theRogationists in Trani and the Community dwelling there. Since he could not do

anything else, Father General prayed and celebrated a Mass to the Souls in Purgatory.They arrived in the evening and lodged at Villa Morelli. In the morning, Fr.

Angelico seemed terribly against the Community of Trani. He did not believe thatthere were orphans. All seemed nasty to him: the house, the Community, theschedule they were following. It is true, he was saying, that this is a Community oflazy people, who go everyday to Bari. There is too much disorder in thisCongregation. Father General swallowed bitterly.

Then together with Fr. General, Fr. Angelico went to inspect the building, takingadvantage of the fact that he was also the Visitor of the Polish Sisters who weretaking care of the refugees. The building was crowded with young girls. Unfortunatelyeven the Chapel of the Novitiate, which once had frescoes painted by the brothers

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Candida from Oria, had been turned into a dormitory, of sets of four bunk beds oneover the others, where those poor children sleep.

Fr. Angelico noticed the old writings on the walls of the facilities of the Novitiatealong the whole length of the corridor. He was silent and looked impressed. When hereached the extremity of the corridor, from whose windows he could see thewonderful panorama of Trani and as its background the blue of the Adriatic sea, heexclaimed: It is wonderful! We will nor leave this place anymore. Let these Polish

leave as soon as possible! The Sisters will never be able to pay for this building. It isworth 100 millions [liras] now! It is understandable why they want it so much! Andrepeating these expressions he went the portion of the building used by the PolishSisters. Then he gave a look at the stables, the garden, repeating enthusiastically:The Sisters will never be able to pay all this.

In the afternoon he paid a visit to H. E. Msgr. Petronelli, who received him withhis Vicar, Msgr. Perrone. All and two were displeased because of that decision and theprovisions taken on the previous year by Fr. Larraona for the evacuation of the LoSurdo House of the Sisters. Msgr. Petronelli did say many times to our religious, Ifyou leave Trani, I will curse you. Therefore when Fr. Angelico manifested hisimpressions, they rejoiced, and did not hide their wonder that Fr. Larraona could haveseen from Rome inconvenient, that they living there place had never noticed.

After the visit to the archbishop, we went to the Sisters who treated us bitterlyand in a very reserved way, to the point that that Fr. Angelico wanted to be alonewith them. He even returned there the day after, when he saw that the Superior didnot accept his invitation to discuss the issue in its details openly in the place itself [inthe the Rogationist House which is in the countryside of Trani]. But they were soembittered, that Fr. Angelico said sadly: They are truly mean

However he contented them in some details, like, for example, on the name ofVilla Santa Maria, a name which the Rogationists were not allowed to use. Better,he said, to yield in some secondary things, in order to keep the essential ones.

Back to Rome he made his report; but the problem did not end. The claims andpressures multiplied more and more as the day was approaching, when the Polishrefugees were going to leave, and the building would have remained empty. On the

evening of October 2, the Brothers and the orphans, having seen that there wasnobody inside, tried an invasion of the Institute. But the English soldiers from thebarracks, who noticed this, inexorably called our constabulary [carabinieri], to movethem out; and the constabularies had to do it. Vae victis!

On October 20, furious for the piling up of claims and complains from the Sisters,Msgr. Pasetto called Fr. Angelico and in an outburst said to him: I give you a goldenmedal, if you solve this problem. He meant in the way wanted by the Sisters. Fr.Angelico took with himself Fr. Drago and Fr. Ruggeri, who were liked by the very Rev.Mothers of the Council and went to dealing with them the thorny transaction of Trani.But the result were always the same.

Finally, on December 2, the Rogationist Brothers and the orphans, freely andlegally occupied the building. On the following December 15, Father General went [to

Trani] to assess the damages and the possibility to restore the previous Communities.Unfortunately the kitchen was burnt, many of the equipments were damaged. Therefugee families in the two last months have made many damages. However withsome sacrifice the previous Communities can be reinstated and restart the usualactivities. From Messina almosto immediately Fr. Girasoli accompanied 26 aspirants.On December 20 Fr. Cassone moves to Trani the Novitiate from Oria. They are joineda few days later by, the Apostolic School consisting of 16 aspirants for CoadjutorBrothers in 3rd and 4th year gymnasium, because there was non of 5th year. And thusfinally Christmas is celebrated in the Institute. The Chapel of the Novitiate goes backto its purpose, and Father General places back the Blessed Sacrament.

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But the Sisters could not give up the issue. Fr. Larraona, taking advantage of theChristmas holydays, went to the Sisters in Trani. Father General did not await Fr.Larraona, indeed avoided to meet him, because thus Fr. Angelico had ordered him,and went to Bari. There Fr. Lagati reports to him the position of Fr. Larraona, and thatof the Sisters. Fr. General had the impression that nothing was going to change.

When Fr. Angelico returned from the north, he turned immediately his attentionto Trani, and asked from to Father General in Rome news on the effects of the visit of

Fr. Larraona. Then he went to Msgr. Pasetto, who told him: As soon as the house ofRome is constructed, you must carry to Rome all this that is now found in Trani

On January 20, Fr. Angelico had a very lively talk with Fr. Larraona forapproximately one hour and a half in the seat of the Congregation. He had gone therewith Father General and Fr. Campanale, and after the talk introduces both of them toFr. Larraona. It was evident that Fr. Larraona was congested, blushed, and Fr.Angelico mortified: a sign of a strong storm.

In fact on February 21 Father General, in a conversation with Fr. Angelico,notices that he is inclined to please the Sacred Congregation (that is) the Sisters,surrendering the House of Trani. Since Fr. Larraona was insisting, Fr. Angelico asked awritten disposition. He answered that for a written document he had to think about;thus practically nothing happened.

Thing were going on in that way; and the Rogationist house in the countryside ofTrani resumes in full its life as before.

Nothing will be said anymore about this issue, when the Jonas because of whomall these storms had started, will throw himself into the sea, by surrendering hisresignation.

9 - The Theologate in Rome

The ancient desire of the revered Father Founder, with his catholic ecclesiasticalspirit, had been to form his priests in the shadow of the Holy See. Because of thealternating of events before and after his death, his longing had remained only an

ideal, a pious desire.Father General and his Council, elected by the 1st Ordinary Chapter had made it

a project to put into effect at all costs. Even previously, also the foundation of St.Catherina of the Rota had intended in some way to hurry up this goal. Also Msgr.Pasetto wanted this to be realized, and, correctly, he thought that St. Catherina of theRota was a hole, while when it comes to the construction in Asti square, no matterhow it would be hurried up, it would have taken still plenty of time. Thus, he exhortedFather General to do his best in order to find a temporary premise where to lodge theStudents. Father General had made already several approaches, when the announcedvisit stopped, him from any commitment.

When Fr. Angelico assumed the direct responsibility of the Instituteof theRogationists, he assumed personally even this problem and, in order to follow the

directives of Msgr. Pasetto, tried to resolve it.At first he tried to obtain from the Swiss Gift, a charitable work created after the

war for the homeless, some ready made huts which could be placed in the area ofAsti square. But when this attempt failed, and it did not seem convenient to resumethe negotiations for the rooms of St. Philip and the other proposals already examinedby Father General, the mind went to our old friends, Salettini Fathers, who, in thatmoment after the war, had their college in Cavour Street empty.

On July 6 Father General began his negotiations with Fr. Piriou, who was theProcurator of the Salettini Fathers, assuring him that we would have proviced our ownbeds and furniture as well as the domestic service, while the few Salettini would havefind their own arrangement.

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During Fr. Angelicos vacations [Fr. General] sent all the Students to severalplaces all over Italy searching for vocations. After vacations, they would havetransferred to Rome and would have attended the Roman Ecclesiastical Universities.In fact on October 18 our students began to sleep in the College of the SalettiniFathers; and during that month all the students transferred to the same College. TheStudents from Messina accompanied by Fr. Donvito arrived on October. Fr. Tusinoremained as Superior in the House St. Anthony, in Messina.

Fr. Carbotti in the meantime was doinghis best in order to find Sisters for thedomestic service; and on November 10 four Salesie Sisters from Padova, who hadmade asked permission to enter Rome, but had not been granted it, arrived. Theywere granted persmission through the concern of Msgr. Pasetto and Fr. Angelico, sothey came. aA chapel was created only for the exclusive use of the Theologate, andon November 21 Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament was placed in it.

The Students, entrusted to Fr. Ippolito, helped by Fr. Donvito as Treasurer, wereenrolled in the Lateran [University]; and some at the Angelicum.

The first Ordination of ours 9 Sub-deacons and three in minor orders was givenby the Vicegerent, Msgr. Traglia, on January 19,1947 in the Chapel of the LeonianCollege in Pompeo Magno Street, with many other religious Clerics. The celebrationwas attended by Fr. General, because it was our first Ordination in the Rogationist

Theologate of Rome.The 9 Sub-deacons were ordained Deacons by Msgr. Carinci on March 22in the

church of St. Mary over Minerva.And on July 19, after a course of exercises, preached from Fr. Bertolotto from

Mascherone, that is the Institute of Mary Immaculate, they received the sacredPresbyterate through the hands of Msgr. Traglia, in the Basilica of the most HolyApostles, in an imposing roman ordination, assisted by the fathers, with the presenceof numerous relatives, who were hosted at Cavour Street according to thepossibilities.

The Students enrolled in the Lateran had already finished their classes on July15; and so the scholastic year was over for all.

By the end of July the Students went to the Houses upon order of Fr. Angelico;

and also the Fathers residing in Rome did the same since they could not yet beaccommodated at Asti Square. Fr. Angelico wanted that, according to the agreementthe keys of the Salettini Fathers facilities were to be given back on July31, though Fr.Molinari of the Salettini was not pressuring for this. So [Fr. Angelico] went to CavourStreet and said to Father General that after the lunch he had to deliver personally thekeys to Fr. Molinari, and then, with the other religious, wait for him at the trainstation, where he would have come. Thus the dwelling at the Salettini Fathers wasended. The new school year the students would be transferred to Asti Square.

10 Closing of two residences

The Salettinis House was not the only dwelling, though intended as temporary,

which was closed that year.St. Catherina of the Rota had been opened in the last months of the previous

government, through the mediation of the Orionini fathers, in order to have, in view ofthe construction in Asti Square, a place where some of our religious could findhospitality, while following up the longed for construction.

We cannot deny that there was a kind of advantage in having our place wherereside in Rome in St. Catherina of the Rota. It was in fact, the center of theCongregants of the papal Palafrenieri [Knights], under the presidency of theCommendatore Bonatti, who practically was a commandant in the Vatican, andunder protection of revered Cardinal Granito Pignatelli di Belmonte. This placed theFathers who officiate there, in the condition of having easily access to the highest

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ecclesiastical authorities. Fr. Angelico did not like this; and when the residence of theStudents was begun and, with them of Fathers staying in Cavour Street at theSalettini Fathers, and alternating in the chaplaincy at St. Catherina of the Rota, theystarted to neglect the church of St. Catherina. So that, while before the congregantshad been enthusiastic of the work of our fathers, then they began to complain; andtheirs complain reached the high levels. They complained with Card. Granito, who hadbeen so affable and paternal with us.

In one of these occasions, the Cardinal would have said: I have the power tosend them out of Rome The complains against our religious reached the SacredCongregation of the Religious in January 1947. Fr. Angelico did not let go. Indeed heworked in such way to resolve every thing peacefully. He had the Vocationist Fatherstaking care of St. Catherina starting February17. Fr. Levi who was there until thatmoment, went to Messina. At St. Catherina with the Vocationist fathers he justreserved for us the use two rooms, where were necessary; and there he kept oursitems waiting to be able to transfer them to Cavour Street or to Asti Square.

The other residence which was closed was Santa Lucia del Mela.The House had been created because of the state of emergency during the war.

The good bishop, Msgr. Geraci, made available the building of the seminary whichwas empty, beside the sanctuary of Our Lady, who is venerated by the good people of

Santa Lucia, and represented in a wonderful sculpture by Cagini. The populace likedour Institute; and when Msgr. Bishop manifested desire that our community shouldleave the building of the seminary, since the storm of the war was over and thingswere already back to normal, the people did not want us to leave. They had beenbecome accustomed to the beautiful celebrations of the little orphans, there in thebeautiful sanctuary of their Madonna on the top of the hill, to the sermons of theFathers, who had been alternating there. Also the Rogationists had been becomeattached to the Madonna and the good people who answered so fervorously to theirministering as Priests.

In the meantime on July 27, 1946 the good bishop passed away to eternity, andthe day after there was the funeral. Father General participated in it, because he didnot want to miss this act of gratitude.

The Authorities of the town offered other premises to the Rogationists in ordernot to let the Orphanage leave the place, because it had become a prestige for thecitizen. In fact the same evening of the funeral of the Bishop, a committee ofnotables, headed by the Commissioner of the Municipality, approached FatherGeneral to know what he meant to do with the proposal of using the premises of theHospital for the Institute.

Father General, who could not do anything because of the ongoing Visit,answered that during the time that the diocese was without its authority, it was notconvenient to take any decision; than eventually the building of the Hospital shouldhave had to be given entirely, which seemed impossible. The good population wasfretting, and was ready to do anything in order not to let the Orphanage leave. Bothcivil and ecclesiastics Authorities were rightly worried.

On August 17 Fr. Angelico with Fr. Tursi went to Santa Lucia, in order to examinethe things on the spot; and on the 19 he presided the committee of the authorities,who had gone to him to repeat the insistences already made to Father General. Inthat meeting the came to the conclusion that the proposal of the hospital would havebeen accepted, where the Orphanage would transfer before September 15: but wewould have left the hospital immediately as soon as we would not have beencomfortable with it. Also the Capitular Vicar, Msgr. Menniti was present to thatreunion. Nevertheless, when the transaction was discussed in the city council, theauthorities concluded that the conditions set by Fr. Angelico were unacceptable andtherefore, on September 14, the Superior of the House prepared to leave in order to

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leave vacant the seminary. However because of the pressures of the people, and toavoid riots they remained still there.

Fr. Angelico in Rome resumed the problem of Santa Lucia with Father Generaland Fr. Tursi and decided for the moment not to react and to accept the proposal ofthe hospital according to the agreement with the Municipality. On December 3, FatherGeneral went to Santa Lucia in order to see with Fr.s Bizzarro and Indelicato, whowere directing that work, how they had been settled in the hospital.

In the meantime to Santa Lucia comes new Prelate elect, who made his own thedesire of the authorities and of the population. But Fr. Angelico made a letter to newPrelate, declaring closed the issue of the undelayable withdrawal of the Orphanagefrom Santa Lucia; and sent Father General to deliver it personally.

On August 23, 1947 Father General went by car to Santa Lucia in order to deliverto the Prelate the communication of Fr. Angelico. The good Prelate advised FatherGeneral to speak with the Mayor, which was dismayed by the sad news. On 24Monsignor kindly returned the visit Father General, fallowed later also by the mayor,in order to invite him to attend a meeting of the members of the Committeeorganized in favor of the Orphanage at the presence of H. E. Msgr. Bishop.

They discussed for a long time, more than three hours: the result was that themunicipality committee would gather in extraordinary session in order to make the

point of the situation.Monsignor Bishop, the Mayor, Canon Guidara requested Father General to write

a letter the Mayor to be read in Municipality Council in order to justify theirembarrassment. Fr. General wrote it and it sent to it to him in the afternoon.

On August 28, 29 and 30, in dribs and drabs, with precaution, the orphans andtheirs items were transferred to Messina. However a wagon of belongings [from theorphanage] left from the railway station of San Filippo for the new House of Naples.

Thus the House of Santa Lucia del Mela was closed.Also the House of Rometta is worthy to be remembered. It was so dear to Msgr.

Barbaro. Because of his insistences, in August 1946 Fr. Pitrone with some Brotherwent to settle down there, in the small Convent with Church, which Monsignor hadrestored. of Some of the Fathers, even the young ones, were alternating there and did

a lot of good in the town and in the near villages. After some time they started alsocatering to orphaned children.

Fr. Angelico with Father General went to visit it on December 11, 1946; incoming back on the Peloritani Mountains they were surprises by a strong storm ofsnow and hailstones. Perhaps [the house of Rometta] could be good as summerresidence. But there was always too much wind, because it was too exposed; and inwinter Fr. Pitrone had always problems with his throat. It was closed on August 1952by Fr. Tusino.

11 - New foundations

This was the result of the house of Rometta, though it was so much loved by

Msgr. Barbaro, who was born in that small town. The same happened about otherattempts, which Fr. Angelico encouraged, for the task that he had to manage theCongregation. Among them there were also blessed and prosperous foundations.

The Boys Village, in Bari, the lively desire of the Archbishop, Msgr. Mimmi, underthe guide of Fr. Mario Labarbuta, with the collaboration of the Confreres destinedthere by the new Council, was developing and gaining the esteem and the care of thewhole city, which looked at that work as the most needed, among the many beautifulinstitutions that the city had already. Msgr. Mimmi repeated many times in hisenthusiasm that he hold it as the best work of his episcopate. He followed it up evenwhen later he became Cardinal and Prefect of the Sacred Congregation .

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Our dearest and late Fr. Levi had a fixation: to make a similar work in Naples, hiscity, and he insisted so much with the Superiors, that they granted him to stay inNaples in the house of some friends, in order to realize this holy ideal. He madeseveral attempts on which it is useless delve.

When Fr. Angelico began the Visit, he did not disapprove this attempt. In factduring his travel back to Rome with Father General, on May 12, 1946, he stopped inNaples in order to examine the proposal of the so-called Splendore, leaving to Father

General to follow it up in its details. The same happened with the proposal ofCapodichino, and similar.Finally on September 1, 1946, Fr. Angelico with Father General, Fr. Tursi and Fr.

Carbotti they went to visit the Astarita Villa, at Capodimonte, which was on sale, butwhich had been excluded at the beginning because it was considered out of of theway and isolated place. Nobody, at that time, could have foreseen the developmentof the city in that area. It is true that it was a too isolated location; but all had beenenchanted [by the house], because it was truly fitting for to formation works, for itssolitude and splendor. There was a bargaining about the price, also because of theongoing construction of the House of Rome. The price asked by the owner, Mrs.Astarita, was too high. her husband had his office in Rome, therefore the negotiationcould be done in Rome. The negotiations reached a positive outcome, and the date of

the signing of the preliminary agreement was set.On March 18, 1947, Fr. Angelico with Father General left from Sicily directed to

Naples, where Fr. Levi, Fr. Donvito and Fr. Carbotti were waiting for them, because onthe 19th, after so many years, the first holy Mass would have been celebrated in theprincely small church of the Villa. The tenant still preserved the vestments,candlesticks, he vases for flowers etc. In the small Church blessed and reopened toworship by Fr. Levi, who was all radiant for the accomplishment, Father Generalcelebrated the holy Mass, making a short exhortation to the few faithful who hadassembled from the Scudillo [the name of thesurroundings place], and Fr. Leviconfessed them; then Fr. Angelico, Fr. Donvito and Fr. Carbotti celebrated their mass.

Father General then went to Att.y. Vernicchi, who had been the mediator of theagreement in the drawing up of the deed of sale. With him there was Dr. Chianese,

the husband of Mrs. Astarita, who was worried because the other persons involved inthe sale had not yet arrived. His brother in the meantime met with Fr. Angelico; andthe two of them came with Fr. Angelico, Fr. Carbotti, Fr. Donvito and Fr. Levi. It wasset to write up and to sign the deed of sale in the afternoon at 7:00 pm in the houseof the notary public Catalano Riccardo, at 24 Germano Serrano Street, to whom wewill entrust 2 million lire of down payment. In the evening the notary public drew upthe deed sale and the deed of delivery of the 2 million. Both the deeds were signedby the parties: mrs. Astarita, Dr. Chianese, Fr. Santoro, Fr. Carbotti. The witnesseswere Fr. Angelico, Fr. Donvito, Fr. Levi, Att.y Vernicchi, Att.y Pomez, Mr. & Mrs. NicolaChianese beside the notary public.

When towards 10:00 in the evening we returned to the Villa, which now wasours, all showed their happiness. Even the starry sky was enchanting. The day after

Father General with Fr. Angelico explored the outskirts of the villa, and the immenseinner and underground premises, which were wonderful. Thus the house of Napleswas founded. Father Levi was justly very happy.

Fr. Angelico, who enjoied the absolute trust of Msgr. Pasetto, while taking care ofour institute, was carrying out other visits of other mens and womens Institutes.

Thus, often times he had to be absent for many days. Once he had to go to Hollandfor several days.

Once Msgr. Pasetto wanted to entrust to him the care of the Institute of the GreyFriars, founded by the ven. Fr. Ludovico da Casoria, who were not faring well,especially in the Institute for Blind Deaf and Mute in Assisi. With very enticing wordsand perspectives Fr. Angelicoe tried to convince the Father General of the

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Rogationists to accept all the Houses and the members of that Institute, which couldnot stand up by itself. But Father General for easily understandable spiritual andpractical reasons did not accept: it was the work of a saint and it was not to bedestroied it; we had already our troubles, and a merging in of that kind would havesurely multiplied them.

But for the Institute of Assisi the situation was such that Fr. General could notoppose it for a long time, because thus wanted the Sacred Congregation. Fr. Angelico

sent Fr. Ruggeri to put things in order about discipline and administration. Thus fromJuly 1, 1947 we assumed the direction of the Instituto Serafico.

According to what Fr. Angelico was saying, he would have accepted the Visit ofthe Congregation of the Grey Friars, on condition of being authorized suppress itwithin six months. Thus hw said to Father General, Fr. Santoro, who instead wasexhorting him to be patient and to reorder, not suppress the work of a saint. But inthis issue he had to bow his head to accept a good grey friar, Bro. Roman Peter, whowent to Trani in order to prepare himself to enter our Congregation. The ensuingevents made useless this plan, and the kind Bro. Peter returned to his institute.

We always thought of Padua as an open issue, with the land and the smallbuilding acquired and begun by Fr. Founder, which then was never finalized becauseof the oppositions of the ambience. Neither Fr. Jaccarino, nor Msgr. Pasetto, who was

from Padua, could solve the situation duering the visit in 1932, with bishop Msgr. EliaDalla Costa. Fr. Santoro, as soon as apponted General, with the support from theSacred Congregation, before introducing himself to Fr. Angelico, made a request tohis successor Mons. Agostini. Msgr. Agostini in that occasion, with great dismay of ourfriends like Mrs. Battizzocco, answered to Father General, who had presented to himthe desire of the Founder and the passivity of a real estate, which had been unusedfor many years: Sell it, sell, if you find a good occasion

Time and circumstances would have matured the events. Msgr. Agostini foundhimself in difficulties for the situation of the Shelter for Minors Filomena Fornasariand the administration of that foundation requested a religious institution to assumeits direction. The Rogationists accepted it and thus the difficulty of Padua, where itseemed impossible to enter, was overcome. During vacations, after the transferring

of Msgr. Agostini, it was easy to go and construct a small Institute at the Arcella. Thenew bishop, Msgr. Bortignon, at his entrance, found a deed already accomplished andhe accepted it.

12 - The acknowledgment of pontifical right.

One of the most urgent problems to resolve that the new Council had to dealwith, was to extricate from complications and difficulties for the peaceful possessionof our properties. According to the legislation following the 1929 Agreement[Concordato] between the Holy See and the Italian State, it was enough to obtain thepontifical acknowledgment, to be followed the legal acknowledgment of the [Italian]government, and the erection into Public Corporation [Ente Pubblico] to be able

legally to possess and to administer. All the obstacles, which had troubled theInstitutions administration, would have been overcome. It would have been no morenecessary to avail of proxy, to constitute fictitious Anonymous Corporations andCooperatives subject to the commercial laws which demanded experts.

The point was: how could we obtain it?Our co-sisters, the Daughters of the Divine Zeal had obtained it through Msgr.

Pasetto with the Decretum laudis ad experimentum, for seven years, dated February191935. Thus they had become of pontifical right, and in compliance with theSettlement, after making the bureaucratic papers, they had obtained theacknowledgment also of the Italian Government.

The Congregation of the Rogationists on this point was at zero.

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First thought of Father General, as soon as he arrived in Rome, was to face alsothis problem; but before bringing the matter to Msgr. Pasetto, he sought the advise ofcompetent people, because the issue was connecter also to several other problems.Fr. Larraona was then the undisputed master in this matter; but he was absent fromRome. He dealt instead with his colleague, Fr. Goyeneche, who, upon hearing Fr.General report, expressed his marvel why we had not yet obtained the decretumlaudis, like our co-sisters. He encouraged us to take the proper steps opportune, as

soon as the summer vacations would be over. It was not difficult.Also Msgr. Paino was in Rome and with his great heart, when Father General

asked him to favor that step with his report, he answered that he had no difficulty indoing it, if Msgr. Pasetto wanted his favorable report.

Also Prof. Galeotti, in the afternoon of September 6, exhorted Father General tohurry up, because the perspectives of the commercial companies, no matter ifanonymous or cooperatives, after the war were bad, and was foreseeing so heavytaxes that our Anonymous corporation could be closed. Certainly, he added, this isnot in order not to return to the individual ownership, like before, but to hurry up thepontifical approval.

When Fr. Larraona came back from his vacations, Father General was able tohave a long talk with him. About the issue, he said that for the decretum laudis

eventual administrative difficulties are not taken into account. But in a petition to theSacred Congregation we could ask what we desired. In our case eventually we couldask the transferring of our properties to the Corporation of the Daughters of DivineZeal, only for legal purposes, since it was a sister congregation. Perhaps in thatadvise there was not all the needed objectivity, as the events which happenedimmediately after demonstrated. In fact, little after, he took a strong position aboutthe restitution of the House [in the outskirts] of Trani to the Daughters of Divine Zeal;and he imposed to remove the stuff of the rogationists house, which because of therequisition had been placed temporarily in the empty premises of the Surdo palace,under the safekeeping of Fr. Onorato and some Brothers, who lived there.

In spite of the cruelty of the order, in that situation of emergency, an orderdisapproved also by the Archbishop of Trani, who knew the truth of the situation on

the place, the Fathers wanted to obey, though seeing in that first attempt the desireof the co-sisters to send them out of Trani. And Father General thought of presentinghumbly to Fr. Larraona his complains for not being even informed. But he found that aformidable storm had broken out. He found Msgr. Pasetto all of a sudden had becomeso restless because of the complains which had reached the Sacred Congregationagainst the Chapter, which he himself had wanted and ordered, without anyreservation.

On November 15, the Card. Prefect, H. E. Luigi Lavitrano, received FatherGeneral in a private audience in his home. He was very affable and encouraging withFr. General; and when this submitted to him the desire, of a pontificalacknowledgmentor recognition, at least just for administrative purposes, in order toavail of the dispositions of the Agreement [Concordato], the Cardinal answered: Let

us see first the result of this Visit. The atmosphere is not serene.With these words Father General realized that the Sacred Congregation was

already thinking of a Visit and so there was nothing that could be done do. Hewithdrew to Messina waiting for the Visit.

We said already how the Visit was done, first with Fr. Jaccarino and then with Fr.Larraona, who delegated ad omnia Fr. Angelico from Alessandria.

When Fr. Angelico met with the administrative difficulties, especially with theimplementation of the division of the properties from the sisters Congregation, herealized immediately the necessity to resolve radically the problem of the property.He too saw the solution in a certifica

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Santoro History Congr 1945-1962 en- Chapter 5