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Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year! ¡Feliz Navidad y un 2013¡Feliz Navidad y un 2013¡Feliz Navidad y un 2013¡Feliz Navidad y un 2013 colmado de bendiciones!colmado de bendiciones!colmado de bendiciones!colmado de bendiciones!

Fr. Adilso Luiz Balen, cs Provincial Superior December 19, 2012

CONTENTS

Letter of the Provincial

Carta de la Provincial

Around the Province

Noticias de la Provincia

Year of Faith

World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2013

La Jornada Mundial del Emigrante y del Refugiado 2013

In Memoriam – Fr. Florian Girometta, cs

Birthdays – Anniversaries – In Memoriam

OCTOBER – NOVEMBER –

DECEMBER 2012

Province of St. John the Baptist

Oak Park, Illinois, December 19, 2012

Year Year Year Year of Faithof Faithof Faithof Faith

For today in the City of David a Savior has been born for you… (Lk. 2, 11)

December 19, 2012 Dear Confreres, Christmas is approaching – another year is coming to an end – this is a peaceful and good time to contemplate the Baby Jesus, who was born poor in a manger, who helps us to understand that a human being has value for who he is, not for what he does and never for what he possesses. This is a time to rethink values, to ponder about life and everything it involves. This is a time to allow the Incarnate Word to be reborn once again in our hearts, to fill us with hope and to be thankful for all we have celebrated and lived. If we do a brief retrospective of the year 2012 we can see that it was a year of blessings by the Lord and that the Scalabrinian charism has enriched us all with fruits in the vocational field and mission. In the civil environment both in the United States and in Mexico, nations where we have missions in the Province, we had presidential elections. At the ecclesial level we remembered the 60 years of the Exsul Familia, 50 years of the opening of Vatican Council II, the Bishops’ Synod about the New Evangelization for the spreading of Christian Faith and the promotion of the Year of Faith. On the Congregational level, we celebrated with emphasis on the vocational dimension the 125 years of the Founding of the Scalabrinian Congregation, born in the context of the industrial revolution of the 19th century, in an era of great European migration towards the American continent. Today the Congregation is challenged by the global migration and called to a renewed identity and mission, to become migrants with the migrants. (RL 2) This mission was entrusted by the Church to the Scalabrinian Congregation through our Founder Blessed John Baptist Scalabrini, and that the XIV General Chapter, concluded a few weeks ago in Portugal, has reflected upon and has read in the light of identity and renewal. On the Provincial level, we had this year three centennial parish celebrations in Canada, the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Casa del Migrante in Tijuana, the change in assignments of 31 confreres, the transfer of the Novitiate to Guadalajara, the approval of the opening of a new mission in San Salvador, Central America, the priestly ordination of three missionaries originally from our Province, the arrival of four newly ordained priests, the first religious vows of nine novices, the retirement of three confreres and the death of two priests. With the arrival of the Final Document of the XIV General Chapter of the Congregation, we will dedicate during the year 2013 time to reflect, to evaluate and project the journey of our Province in the Church in the service of the migrants. May this Christmas be a great opportunity for us to internalize with love the meaning of the Incarnation of the Lord in our midst and may His presence bring new light to strengthen our Scalabrinian identity, in order to illuminate with hope our religious life and mission.

Merry Christmas and Blessed New Year to All!

Fr. Adilso Luiz Balen, cs Provincial Superior

Hoy, en la ciudad de David, os ha nacido un salvador… (Lc. 2, 11)

19 de Diciembre, 2012 Estimados hermanos, Navidad se está aproximando - un año más que termina – tiempo apacible y propicio de contemplar al niño Jesús, que nacido pobre en un pesebre, nos ayuda a entender que el ser humano vale por lo que es, no por lo que hace, y nunca por lo que posee. Tiempo para repensar valores, de ponderar sobre la vida y todo lo que la rodea. Tiempo para permitir que el Verbo Encarnado renazca una vez más en nuestro corazón, nos llene de esperanza y nos haga agradecidos por todo lo celebrado y vivido. Si hacemos una breve retrospectiva del año 2012 podemos constatar que fue un año bendecido por el Señor y que el carisma Scalabriniano nos ha enriquecido a todos con frutos en el campo vocacional y de misión. En el ámbito civil tanto en Estados Unidos como en México - naciones donde misionamos en la Provincia - tuvimos las elecciones presidenciales. En el ámbito eclesial recordamos los 60 años de la Exsul Familia, los 50 años de apertura del Concilio Vaticano II, la celebración del Sínodo de los Obispos sobre la Nueva Evangelización para la difusión de la fe cristiana, y la Promulgación del Año de la Fe. A nivel Congregacional, celebramos con énfasis vocacional los 125 años de Fundación de la Congregación Scalabriniana que nacida en el contexto de la revolución industrial del siglo XIX, en una época de grande migración europea hacia el continente americano, se encuentra hoy interpelada por las migraciones globalizadas y llamada por una renovada identidad y misión a hacerse migrante con los migrantes (RdV2). Esta misión que la iglesia ha confiado a la Congregación Scalabriniana por medio de nuestro fundador el Beato Juan Bautista Scalabrini, el XIV Capitulo General, concluido a pocas semanas en Portugal, en su reflexión lo ha releído a la luz del binomio identidad y renovación. En el ámbito Provincial, tuvimos en este año tres celebraciones centenarias de parroquias en Canadá, la celebración de los 25 años de fundación de la Casa del Migrante en Tijuana, el cambio de asignaciones de 31 cohermanos, el traslado del noviciado a Guadalajara, la aprobación de la apertura de una nueva misión scalabriniana en San Salvador, CA, la ordenación sacerdotal de tres misioneros originarios de la Provincia, la llegada de cuatro nuevos sacerdotes, los primeros votos religiosos de nueve novicios, la jubilación de tres sacerdotes y el fallecimiento de dos cohermanos. Con la llegada del nuevo documento del XIV Capítulo General da Congregación, dedicaremos en la marcha del año de 2013 un tiempo de reflexión, profundización y proyección del caminar de nuestra Provincia en la iglesia al servicio de los migrantes. Que esta Navidad sea una hermosa oportunidad para interiorizar con ardor el significado de la Encarnación del Señor en medio de nosotros y que su presencia traiga nuevas luces para fortalecer nuestra identidad scalabriniana, iluminando con esperanza nuestra vida religiosa y misionera.

Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo a todos!

P. Adilso Luiz Balen, cs Superior Provincial

Around the Province XIV CHAPTER ELECTS THE NEW GENERAL ADMINISTRATION The XIV General Chapter of the Scalabrinian Congregation held in the Centro Diocesano de Espiritualidade do Turcifal, Torres Vedras - Portugal, elected the new General Administration to coordinate the life and projects of the Congregation for the next six years. Let us pray and support the new General Administration to be able to bring up the new ideas and projects for the benefit of the migrants and the future of our Scalabrinian family.

FIRST PROFESSION VOWS

On December 8th, 2012, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception at Nuestra Señora Puerta del Cielo Church in Guadalajara, Jal. Mexico, 9 Novices made their First Religious Profession in the Congregation of the Missionaries of Saint Charles/Scalabrinians. We congratulate them for this important step in their lives. Our best wishes go out to them in their theological studies.

NEW NOVITIATE GROUP

On November 27th, 2012, at Seminario San Carlos a group of 13 students started the Novitiate Program in Guadalajara, Jal. Mexico. We wish the best to all of them in this new journey of formation.

On January 22, 2012 the Novitiate program will be conducted by the new Novice Master, Fr. Francisco Pellizzari, cs. On behalf of the Province I would like to welcome Francisco to this new important mission in the Province, and at the same time to express my heartfelt thanks to Fr. Antonio Tapparello, cs, for his outstanding service dedicated as Novice Master in Mexico. We wish him the best in the new mission at St Helen’s Parish in Burnaby, Canada. ORDINATION TO THE PRIESHOOD

Deacon Juan Francisco Aguiar Arce, cs, Mexican born who has studied Theology in Merlo, Argentina will be ordained to the Priesthood on February 2nd 2013, at the Parish of Santiago Apóstol en Ixtlán del Rio, Nayarit, Mexico by the Most Rev. Luis Artemio Flores Calzada Bishop of the Diocese of Tepic. Deacon Juan Francisco was assigned to St. Francis Cabrini Province. Congratulations!

ORDINATION TO THE DIACONATE Eleven Scalabrinian religious will be ordained to the Diaconate on January 6, 2013 in Rome by Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, cs. Among them, four are originally from our Formation Program and Rosemond Sylvestre, cs, originally from Haiti, who is assigned to our Province. Let us pray for their perseverance in their vocations.

DIPLOMADO EN VANCOUVER

Fr. Ramiro Sanchez Chan, cs, the new coordinator of the Diplomados in the Province, is organizing the next Diplomado in the Vancouver area from January 11 – 13, 2013. A group of confreres, including Fr. Leandro Fossá, cs and Fr. Gianantonio Baggio cs, will assist in the workshops and retreats. They will also celebrate Sunday masses at our parishes in the area where they will talk about how God calls and we are to answer. A second Diplomado for this year is being planned for Houston TX. We will send more details and information soon.

GUATEMEX REGIONAL MEETING

El encuentro anual de “Guatemex” se llevará a cabo de los días 25 -28 de febrero, 2013 en Tijuana, BC. Lugar: Casa de Retiros y Ejercicios Espirituales Manresa Dirección: Avenida Centro Universitario, 2501 - Apdo. Postal 185 Tijuana, BC 22200

Tel: 664-630-1577 AL 81 Ext. 206 Llegada: Aeropuerto Internacional de Tijuana Contacto: P. Luiz Kendzierski, cs Tel :(52)664-682-5180 e-mail: luikndz20@yahoo.com Por favor reserve esta fecha en tu calendario y llegue el día lunes 24 de febrero antes de las 6:00pm.

MEETING OF THE LOCAL SUPERIORS The next meeting of the Local Religious Superiors of our Province will be held in Tijuana, Mexico on February 28 to March 1, 2013. The meeting will be held at Casa de Retiros y Ejercicios Espirituales Manresa in Tijuana, BC, México. Please book this date in your calendar. PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY 2013

The Provincial Assembly 2013 will be held April 8 - 12, 2013 at Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center, 430 Bunker Hill Rd, Houston, Texas 77024, Tel: 713-464-0211. Website – www.passionist.org/holyname. Contact Person: Fr. Rafael Becerra, cs – Cell: 1-832-729-2480 padrerafael@hotmail.com Please reserve these dates on your calendar and make your travel arrangements and buy your tickets.

BEST WISHES TO THE JUBILARIANS 2013

50 years of Ordination to the Priesthood – 1963 - 2013

• Fr. Luigi Gandolfi, cs, for his 50 years of ordination to the priesthood – April 27, 2013. Congratulations!

• Fr. Nicholas Marro, cs, for his 50 years of ordination to the priesthood – April 27, 2013. Congratulations!

25 years of Ordination to the Priesthood 1988 – 2013

• Fr. Ademar Barilli, cs, for his 25 years of ordination to the priesthood – January 31, 2013. Congratulations!

• Fr. Guillermo Garcia, cs, for his 25 years of ordination to the priesthood – June 4, 2013. Congratulations!!!

• Fr. Carmelo Hernandez, cs, for his 25 years of ordination to the priesthood – August 25, 2013. Congratulations!!!

NEW EMAILS Fr. Eduardo Quintero, cs – fr.equinterom@gmail.com Fr. Adilso Balen, cs (personal email) – balenadilso@yahoo.com Fr. Carmelo Hernández, cs – carmeloheran@gmail.com

FR UMBERTO RIZZI

Fr. Umberto Rizzi, cs traveled with Fr Maurizio Maifredi, cs on December 3, 2012 to Arco, Italy for his retirement. On behalf of the Province I would like to thank Fr. Rizzi for all that he has done as Provincial Superior and in the life of our Province and missions. We pray and hope that this new journey brings him joy and peace in this special moment of his life. We hope that he can enjoy the company of all the Scalabrinian confreres in Arco and be able to see his relatives and friends who still live in Northern Italy, his homeland.

Pope Benedict XVI in his Apostolic Letter

Porta Fidei, has declared October 11, 2012,

to November 24, 2013, a special “Year of

Faith.” He invites Catholics to a deeper

conversion of our hearts and minds to God,

to share our faith with renewed conviction, to

celebrate it more intensely in the liturgy, and

to live it more authentically.

The first day of the Year of Faith, is the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council and also the twentieth anniversary of the Catechism of the

Catholic Church. During the Year of Faith, we are asked to study and reflect on the documents of Vatican II and the catechism so that they may deepen our knowledge of the faith.

Our Founder Blessed John Baptist Scalabrini says: Faith is the beginning and basis of human Salvation, the ray of light and the root of sanctification.

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL MEETING

The next meeting of the Provincial Council will take place on February 5 – 6, 2013 at the Provincial Residence in Oak Park IL.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

FELIZ NAVIDAD Y PRÓSPERO AÑO NUEVO!

FELIZ NATAL E UM ABENÇOADO ANO NOVO!

BUON NATALE E FELICE ANNO NUOVO!

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI

FOR THE WORLD DAY OF MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES (2013)

Migrations: pilgrimage of faith and hope

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

The Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, in the Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, recalled that “the Church goes forward together with humanity” (No. 40); therefore “the joys and the hopes, the grief and anguish of the people of our time, especially of those who are poor or afflicted, are the joys and hopes, grief and anguish of the followers of Christ as well. Indeed, nothing genuinely human fails to raise an echo in their hearts” (ibid., 1). The Servant of God Paul VI echoed these words when he called the Church an “expert in humanity” (Populorum Progressio, 13), as did Blessed John Paul II when he stated that the human person is “the primary route that the Church must travel in fulfilling her mission... the way traced out by Christ himself” (Centesimus Annus, 53). In the footsteps of my predecessors, I sought to emphasize in my Encyclical Caritas in Veritate that “the whole Church, in all her being and acting – when she proclaims, when she celebrates, when she performs works of charity – is engaged in promoting integral human development” (No. 11). I was thinking also of the millions of men and women who, for various reasons, have known the experience of migration. Migration is in fact “a striking phenomenon because of the sheer numbers of people involved, the social, economic, political, cultural and religious problems it raises, and the dramatic challenges it poses to nations and the international community” (ibid., 62), for “every migrant is a human person who, as such, possesses fundamental, inalienable rights that must be respected by everyone and in every circumstance” (ibid.).

For this reason, I have chosen to dedicate the 2013 World Day of Migrants and Refugees to the theme “Migrations: pilgrimage of faith and hope”, in conjunction with the celebrations marking the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council and the sixtieth anniversary of the promulgation of the Apostolic Constitution Exsul Familia, and at a time when the whole Church is celebrating the Year of Faith, taking up with enthusiasm the challenge of the new evangelization.

Faith and hope are inseparable in the hearts of many migrants, who deeply desire a better life and not infrequently try to leave behind the “hopelessness” of an unpromising future. During their journey many of them are sustained by the deep trust that God never abandons his children; this certainty makes the pain of their uprooting and separation more tolerable and even gives them the hope of eventually returning to their country of origin. Faith and hope are often among the possessions which emigrants carry with them, knowing that with them, “we can face our present: the present, even if it is arduous, can be lived and accepted if it leads towards a goal, if we can be sure of this goal, and if this goal is great enough to justify the effort of the journey” (Spe Salvi, 1).

In the vast sector of migration, the Church shows her maternal concern in a variety of ways. On the one hand, she witnesses the immense poverty and suffering entailed in migration, leading often to painful and tragic situations. This inspires the creation of programmes aimed at meeting emergencies through the generous help of individuals and groups, volunteer associations and movements, parochial and diocesan organizations in cooperation with all people of good will. The Church also works to highlight the positive aspects, the potential and the resources which migrations offer. Along these lines, programmes and centres of welcome have been established

to help and sustain the full integration of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees into a new social and cultural context, without neglecting the religious dimension, fundamental for every person’s life. Indeed, it is to this dimension that the Church, by virtue of the mission entrusted to her by Christ, must devote special attention and care: this is her most important and specific task. For Christians coming from various parts of the world, attention to the religious dimension also entails ecumenical dialogue and the care of new communities, while for the Catholic faithful it involves, among other things, establishing new pastoral structures and showing esteem for the various rites, so as to foster full participation in the life of the local ecclesial community. Human promotion goes side by side with spiritual communion, which opens the way “to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord, the only Saviour of the world” (Porta Fidei, 6). The Church always offers a precious gift when she guides people to an encounter with Christ, which opens the way to a stable and trustworthy hope.

Where migrants and refugees are concerned, the Church and her various agencies ought to avoid offering charitable services alone; they are also called to promote real integration in a society where all are active members and responsible for one another’s welfare, generously offering a creative contribution and rightfully sharing in the same rights and duties. Emigrants bring with them a sense of trust and hope which has inspired and sustained their search for better opportunities in life. Yet they do not seek simply to improve their financial, social and political condition. It is true that the experience of migration often begins in fear, especially when persecutions and violence are its cause, and in the trauma of having to leave behind family and possessions which had in some way ensured survival. But suffering, great losses and at times a sense of disorientation before an uncertain future do not destroy the dream of being able to build, with hope and courage, a new life in a new country. Indeed, migrants trust that they will encounter acceptance, solidarity and help, that they will meet people who sympathize with the distress and tragedy experienced by others, recognize the values and resources the latter have to offer, and are open to sharing humanly and materially with the needy and disadvantaged. It is important to realize that “the reality of human solidarity, which is a benefit for us, also imposes a duty” (Caritas in Veritate, 43). Migrants and refugees can experience, along with difficulties, new, welcoming relationships which enable them to enrich their new countries with their professional skills, their social and cultural heritage and, not infrequently, their witness of faith, which can bring new energy and life to communities of ancient Christian tradition, and invite others to encounter Christ and to come to know the Church.

Certainly every state has the right to regulate migration and to enact policies dictated by the general requirements of the common good, albeit always in safeguarding respect for the dignity of each human person. The right of persons to migrate – as the Council’s Constitution Gaudium et Spes, No. 65, recalled – is numbered among the fundamental human rights, allowing persons to settle wherever they consider best for the realization of their abilities, aspirations and plans. In the current social and political context, however, even before the right to migrate, there is need to reaffirm the right not to emigrate, that is, to remain in one’s homeland; as Blessed John Paul II stated: “It is a basic human right to live in one’s own country. However this rights become effective only if the factors that urge people to emigrate are constantly kept under control” (Address to the Fourth World Congress on the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Refugees, 9 October 1998). Today in fact we can see that many migrations are the result of economic instability, the lack of essential goods, natural disasters, wars and social unrest. Instead of a pilgrimage filled with trust, faith and hope, migration then becomes an ordeal undertaken for the sake of survival, where men and women appear more as victims than as agents responsible for the decision to migrate. As a result, while some migrants attain a satisfactory social status and a dignified level of life through proper integration into their new social setting, many others are

living at the margins, frequently exploited and deprived of their fundamental rights, or engaged in forms of behaviour harmful to their host society. The process of integration entails rights and duties, attention and concern for the dignified existence of migrants; it also calls for attention on the part of migrants to the values offered by the society to which they now belong.

In this regard, we must not overlook the question of irregular migration, an issue all the more pressing when it takes the form of human trafficking and exploitation, particularly of women and children. These crimes must be clearly condemned and prosecuted, while an orderly migration policy which does not end up in a hermetic sealing of borders, more severe sanctions against irregular migrants and the adoption of measures meant to discourage new entries, could at least limit for many migrants the danger of falling prey to such forms of human trafficking. There is an urgent need for structured multilateral interventions for the development of the countries of departure, effective countermeasures aimed at eliminating human trafficking, comprehensive programmes regulating legal entry, and a greater openness to considering individual cases calling for humanitarian protection more than political asylum. In addition to suitable legislation, there is a need for a patient and persevering effort to form minds and consciences. In all this, it is important to strengthen and develop understanding and cooperation between ecclesial and other institutions devoted to promoting the integral development of the human person. In the Christian vision, social and humanitarian commitment draws its strength from fidelity to the Gospel, in the knowledge that “to follow Christ, the perfect man, is to become more human oneself” (Gaudium et Spes, 41).

Dear brothers and sisters who yourselves are migrants, may this World Day help you renew your trust and hope in the Lord who is always at our side! Take every opportunity to encounter him and to see his face in the acts of kindness you receive during your pilgrimage of migration. Rejoice, for the Lord is near, and with him you will be able to overcome obstacles and difficulties, treasuring the experiences of openness and acceptance that many people offer you. For “life is like a voyage on the sea of history, often dark and stormy, a voyage in which we watch for the stars that indicate the route. The true stars of our life are the people who have lived good lives. They are lights of hope. Certainly, Jesus Christ is the true light, the sun that has risen above all the shadows of history. But to reach him we also need lights close by – people who shine with his light and so guide us along our way” (Spe Salvi, 49).

I entrust each of you to the Blessed Virgin Mary, sign of sure hope and consolation, our “guiding star”, who with her maternal presence is close to us at every moment of our life. To all I affectionately impart my Apostolic Blessing.

From the Vatican, 12 October 2012

BENEDICTUS PP. XVI

MENSAJE DEL SANTO PADRE BENEDICTO XVI

PARA LA JORNADA MUNDIAL

DEL EMIGRANTE Y DEL REFUGIADO 2013

(Tema: Migraciones: peregrinación de fe y esperanza)

Queridos hermanos:

El Concilio Ecuménico Vaticano II, en la Constitución pastoral Gaudium et spes, ha recordado que «la Iglesia avanza juntamente con toda la humanidad» (n. 40), por lo cual «los gozos y las esperanzas, las tristezas y las angustias de los hombres de nuestro tiempo, sobre todo de los pobres y de cuantos sufren, son a la vez gozos y esperanzas, tristezas y angustias de los discípulos de Cristo. Nada hay verdaderamente humano que no encuentre eco en su corazón» (ibíd., 1). Se hicieron eco de esta declaración el Siervo de Dios Pablo VI, que llamó a la Iglesia «experta en humanidad» (Enc. Populorum progressio, 13), y el Beato Juan Pablo II, quien afirmó que la persona humana es «el primer camino que la Iglesia debe recorrer en el cumplimiento de su misión..., camino trazado por Cristo mismo» (Enc. Centesimus annus, 53). En mi Encíclica Caritas in veritate he querido precisar, siguiendo a mis predecesores, que «toda la Iglesia, en todo su ser y obrar, cuando anuncia, celebra y actúa en la caridad, tiende a promover el desarrollo integral del hombre» (n. 11), refiriéndome también a los millones de hombres y mujeres que, por motivos diversos, viven la experiencia de la migración. En efecto, los flujos migratorios son «un fenómeno que impresiona por sus grandes dimensiones, por los problemas sociales, económicos, políticos, culturales y religiosos que suscita, y por los dramáticos desafíos que plantea a las comunidades nacionales y a la comunidad internacional» (ibíd., 62), ya que «todo emigrante es una persona humana que, en cuanto tal, posee derechos fundamentales inalienables que han de ser respetados por todos y en cualquier situación» (ibíd.).

En este contexto, he querido dedicar la Jornada Mundial del Emigrante y del Refugiado 2013 al tema «Migraciones: peregrinación de fe y esperanza», en concomitancia con las celebraciones del 50 aniversario de la apertura del Concilio Ecuménico Vaticano II y de los 60 años de la promulgación de la Constitución apostólica Exsul familia, al mismo tiempo que toda la Iglesia está comprometida en vivir el Año de la fe, acogiendo con entusiasmo el desafío de la nueva evangelización.

En efecto, fe y esperanza forman un binomio inseparable en el corazón de muchísimos emigrantes, puesto que en ellos anida el anhelo de una vida mejor, a lo que se une en muchas ocasiones el deseo de querer dejar atrás la «desesperación» de un futuro imposible de construir. Al mismo tiempo, el viaje de muchos está animado por la profunda confianza de que Dios no abandona a sus criaturas y este consuelo hace que sean más soportables las heridas del desarraigo y la separación, tal vez con la oculta esperanza de un futuro regreso a la tierra de origen. Fe y esperanza, por lo tanto, conforman a menudo el equipaje de aquellos que emigran, conscientes de que con ellas «podemos afrontar nuestro presente: el presente, aunque sea un presente fatigoso, se puede vivir y aceptar si lleva hacia una meta, si podemos estar seguros de esta meta y si esta meta es tan grande que justifique el esfuerzo del camino» (Enc. Spe salvi, 1).

En el vasto campo de las migraciones, la solicitud maternal de la Iglesia se realiza en diversas directrices. Por una parte, la que contempla las migraciones bajo el perfil dominante de la pobreza y de los sufrimientos, que con frecuencia produce dramas y tragedias. Aquí se concretan las operaciones de auxilio para resolver las numerosas emergencias, con generosa dedicación de grupos e individuos, asociaciones de voluntariado y movimientos, organizaciones parroquiales y

diocesanas, en colaboración con todas las personas de buena voluntad. Pero, por otra parte, la Iglesia no deja de poner de manifiesto los aspectos positivos, las buenas posibilidades y los recursos que comportan las migraciones. Es aquí donde se incluyen las acciones de acogida que favorecen y acompañan una inserción integral de los emigrantes, solicitantes de asilo y refugiados en el nuevo contexto socio-cultural, sin olvidar la dimensión religiosa, esencial para la vida de cada persona. La Iglesia, por su misión confiada por el mismo Cristo, está llamada a prestar especial atención y cuidado a esta dimensión precisamente: ésta es su tarea más importante y específica. Por lo que concierne a los fieles cristianos provenientes de diversas zonas del mundo, el cuidado de la dimensión religiosa incluye también el diálogo ecuménico y la atención de las nuevas comunidades, mientras que por lo que se refiere a los fieles católicos se expresa, entre otras cosas, mediante la creación de nuevas estructuras pastorales y la valorización de los diversos ritos, hasta la plena participación en la vida de la comunidad eclesial local. La promoción humana está unida a la comunión espiritual, que abre el camino «a una auténtica y renovada conversión al Señor, único Salvador del mundo» (Carta ap. Porta fidei, 6). La Iglesia ofrece siempre un don precioso cuando lleva al encuentro con Cristo que abre a una esperanza estable y fiable.

Con respecto a los emigrantes y refugiados, la Iglesia y las diversas realidades que en ella se inspiran están llamadas a evitar el riesgo del mero asistencialismo, para favorecer la auténtica integración, en una sociedad donde todos y cada uno sean miembros activos y responsables del bienestar del otro, asegurando con generosidad aportaciones originales, con pleno derecho de ciudadanía y de participación en los mismos derechos y deberes. Aquellos que emigran llevan consigo sentimientos de confianza y de esperanza que animan y confortan en la búsqueda de mejores oportunidades de vida. Sin embargo, no buscan solamente una mejora de su condición económica, social o política. Es cierto que el viaje migratorio a menudo tiene su origen en el miedo, especialmente cuando las persecuciones y la violencia obligan a huir, con el trauma del abandono de los familiares y de los bienes que, en cierta medida, aseguraban la supervivencia. Sin embargo, el sufrimiento, la enorme pérdida y, a veces, una sensación de alienación frente a un futuro incierto no destruyen el sueño de reconstruir, con esperanza y valentía, la vida en un país extranjero. En verdad, los que emigran alimentan la esperanza de encontrar acogida, de obtener ayuda solidaria y de estar en contacto con personas que, comprendiendo las fatigas y la tragedia de su prójimo, y también reconociendo los valores y los recursos que aportan, estén dispuestos a compartir humanidad y recursos materiales con quien está necesitado y desfavorecido. Debemos reiterar, en efecto, que «la solidaridad universal, que es un hecho y un beneficio para todos, es también un deber» (Enc. Caritas in veritate, 43). Emigrantes y refugiados, junto a las dificultades, pueden experimentar también relaciones nuevas y acogedoras, que les alienten a contribuir al bienestar de los países de acogida con sus habilidades profesionales, su patrimonio socio-cultural y también, a menudo, con su testimonio de fe, que estimula a las comunidades de antigua tradición cristiana, anima a encontrar a Cristo e invita a conocer la Iglesia.

Es cierto que cada Estado tiene el derecho de regular los flujos migratorios y adoptar medidas políticas dictadas por las exigencias generales del bien común, pero siempre garantizando el respeto de la dignidad de toda persona humana. El derecho de la persona a emigrar - como recuerda la Constitución conciliar Gaudium et spes en el n. 65 - es uno de los derechos humanos fundamentales, facultando a cada uno a establecerse donde considere más oportuno para una mejor realización de sus capacidades y aspiraciones y de sus proyectos. Sin embargo, en el actual contexto socio-político, antes incluso que el derecho a emigrar, hay que reafirmar el derecho a no emigrar, es decir, a tener las condiciones para permanecer en la propia tierra, repitiendo con el Beato Juan Pablo II que «es un derecho primario del hombre vivir en su propia patria. Sin

embargo, este derecho es efectivo sólo si se tienen constantemente bajo control los factores que impulsan a la emigración» (Discurso al IV Congreso mundial de las Migraciones, 1998). En efecto, actualmente vemos que muchas migraciones son el resultado de la precariedad económica, de la falta de bienes básicos, de desastres naturales, de guerras y de desórdenes sociales. En lugar de una peregrinación animada por la confianza, la fe y la esperanza, emigrar se convierte entonces en un «calvario» para la supervivencia, donde hombres y mujeres aparecen más como víctimas que como protagonistas y responsables de su migración. Así, mientras que hay emigrantes que alcanzan una buena posición y viven con dignidad, con una adecuada integración en el ámbito de acogida, son muchos los que viven en condiciones de marginalidad y, a veces, de explotación y privación de los derechos humanos fundamentales, o que adoptan conductas perjudiciales para la sociedad en la que viven. El camino de la integración incluye derechos y deberes, atención y cuidado a los emigrantes para que tengan una vida digna, pero también atención por parte de los emigrantes hacia los valores que ofrece la sociedad en la que se insertan.

En este sentido, no podemos olvidar la cuestión de la inmigración irregular, un asunto más acuciante en los casos en que se configura como tráfico y explotación de personas, con mayor riesgo para mujeres y niños. Estos crímenes han de ser decididamente condenados y castigados, mientras que una gestión regulada de los flujos migratorios, que no se reduzca al cierre hermético de las fronteras, al endurecimiento de las sanciones contra los irregulares y a la adopción de medidas que desalienten nuevos ingresos, podría al menos limitar para muchos emigrantes los peligros de caer víctimas del mencionado tráfico. En efecto, son muy necesarias intervenciones orgánicas y multilaterales en favor del desarrollo de los países de origen, medidas eficaces para erradicar la trata de personas, programas orgánicos de flujos de entrada legal, mayor disposición a considerar los casos individuales que requieran protección humanitaria además de asilo político. A las normativas adecuadas se debe asociar un paciente y constante trabajo de formación de la mentalidad y de las conciencias. En todo esto, es importante fortalecer y desarrollar las relaciones de entendimiento y de cooperación entre las realidades eclesiales e institucionales que están al servicio del desarrollo integral de la persona humana. Desde la óptica cristiana, el compromiso social y humanitario halla su fuerza en la fidelidad al Evangelio, siendo conscientes de que «el que sigue a Cristo, Hombre perfecto, se perfecciona cada vez más en su propia dignidad de hombre» (Gaudium et spes, 41).

Queridos hermanos emigrantes, que esta Jornada Mundial os ayude a renovar la confianza y la esperanza en el Señor que está siempre junto a nosotros. No perdáis la oportunidad de encontrarlo y reconocer su rostro en los gestos de bondad que recibís en vuestra peregrinación migratoria. Alegraos porque el Señor está cerca de vosotros y, con Él, podréis superar obstáculos y dificultades, aprovechando los testimonios de apertura y acogida que muchos os ofrecen. De hecho, «la vida es como un viaje por el mar de la historia, a menudo oscuro y borrascoso, un viaje en el que escudriñamos los astros que nos indican la ruta. Las verdaderas estrellas de nuestra vida son las personas que han sabido vivir rectamente. Ellas son luces de esperanza. Jesucristo es ciertamente la luz por antonomasia, el sol que brilla sobre todas las tinieblas de la historia. Pero para llegar hasta Él necesitamos también luces cercanas, personas que dan luz reflejando la luz de Cristo, ofreciendo así orientación para nuestra travesía» (Enc. Spe salvi, 49).

Encomiendo a cada uno de vosotros a la Bienaventurada Virgen María, signo de segura esperanza y de consolación, «estrella del camino», que con su maternal presencia está cerca de nosotros cada momento de la vida, y a todos imparto con afecto la Bendición Apostólica.

Ciudad del Vaticano, 12 de octubre de 2012 BENEDICTO PP. XVI

FR. FIORINO GIROMETTA Piozzano (Piacenza, Italy) August 19, 1916 Rivergaro (Piacenza, Italy) August 13, 2012

Fr. Girometta was born to Enrico e Enrica Perina on19 August 1916 at Piozzano (Piacenza). He was baptized Ernesto Alfredo Fiornino, but he was called Fiorino in Italian and Florian in English. He entered the Mother House of Piacenza in 1920. Also a brother of his, Giuseppe, became a priest in the diocese of Piacenza, and died rather young in 1966, while he was parish priest of Pessola di Varsi. Fiorino made his first profession in Piacenza on 7th October 1934 and his perpetual vows on 7th October 1937. From his correspondence it appears that the vows of poverty had a particular importance to him, for more than once, writing to this superiors he stressed that the community where I lived the vow of poverty was well observed.

He was ordained priest in Piacenza by Card. Raphael Rossi, the Superior General, on 26th June 1939 and assigned to the Province of St. John the Baptist. As a member of his Province he passed all his time in archdiocese of Chicago, Il. From 1939 to 1943 he was vice rector of the seminary of Sacred Hear, Melrose Park; from 1943 to 1953 parish priest of St. Charles Borromeo church, Melrose Park; from1953 to 1959 parish priest of S. Frances Cabrini’s Church, Chicago. From 1959 to 1964 he held the position of Superior Provincial. During the 1963 the General Chapter he was elected first Counselor and Vicar General, but he resigned soon after. In 1964 he was appointed parish priest of St. Anthony’s Church, Chicago. In 1975 he was elected second Counselor and in 1978 first Counselor and Provincial Vicar for a triennium. In the same year he was appointed parish priest of Our Lady of Mt. Carmen Church, Melrose Park. In 1994, at the age of 84 he asked to return to Italy, expressing the wish to continue to do priestly ministry at the shrine of Beata Vergine della Grazie del Castello, Rivergaro (Piacenza), not far from his birthplace. In the same year he was transferred under the direct dependence of the General Administration . He was rector of the shrine until the end of September 2004, but continued there to carry out priestly ministry until the very end of his long live. He was assiduous in hearing confessions and in spending time in prayer. He was active until the very end. He was found dead in his bedroom the morning of 13th August 2012, just a few days before his 96th birthday. He was buried in cemetery of Chiavenna Landi (Piacenza), where rest the other members of the family. Fr. Girometta was a very good administrator. While he was parish priest of St. Charles Borromeo, his first parish, he raised money to build the church, the presbytery, the school and the nuns’ convent. While he was Superior Provincial he extended the seminary of St. Sacred Heart, Melrose Park. Most of all he was a people priest. He admitted that his most difficult years were those when he was Superior Provincial, because he did not have a Christian community to administer to, not even for a Sunday Mass.

Our confrere, Fr. Peter Ciallella, when he learnt about Fr. Girometta’s death, wrote about him, “He was among the first Scalabrinians, along with Fr. Alex Peloso and Fr. Peter Corbellini, who did much to expand the mission of the Congregation, especially by opening up to the Hispanics, beginning in the mid 1960s and through to the 1980s, in the Chicago area. Fr. Girometta opened the doors of St. Anthony (south side of Chicago) to the Hispanics in the 1970s. Later as pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Melrose Park (north west suburb of Chicago), he opened the doors of the parish and continued the work begun by Fr. Corbellini with the Cubans and later the Mexicans. And of course, as Provincial he did all he could to help the Province of St. John the Baptist to embrace these changes with the new migrants. The foundation laid down by pioneers like Peloso, Corbellini and Girometta, would have a great impact on the Congregation as it paved a road for our expansion into Mexico and eventually Central America”.

BIRTHDAYS JANUARY 01/14/75 - Abner Ables 01/20/76 - Humberto Barrios 01/22/62 - Francisco Pellizzari 01/23/35 - Nicholas Marro 01/24/64 - Gianantonio Baggio 01/29/21 - Mario Rauzi FEBRUARY 02/06/20 - Peter Sordi 02/09/52 - Patrick Murphy 02/16/28 - Albert Corradin 02/16/30 - Alex Dalpiaz 02/16/46 - Romano Cerantola 02/18/57 - Adriano Barbiero 02/20/76 - Humberto Chacón 02/26/53 - Richard Zanotti MARCH 03/05/69 - Ariel Durian 03/11/73 - Abraham Ochoa 03/15/52 - Charles Muscat 03/19/64 - Clair Orso 03/25/44 - Firmo Mantovani 03/27/73 - Fernando Cuevas

ANNIVERSARIES JANUARY 01/07/12 Abraham Lopez 01/17/93 Mauro Verzeletti 01/26/91 Adilso Balen 01/31/88 Ademar Barilli MARCH 03/10/07 Leandro Fossá 03/13/99 Alfredo Camarena 03/17/56 Leo Silvestri 03/17/62 August Feccia 03/17/68 Antonio Muraro 03/18/61 Angelo Risoli 03/18/61 Ermete Nazzani 03/18/67 Carlo Titotto 03/19/57 Lawrence Sabatini 03/25/72 Richard Bezzegato 03/25/72 Romano Cerantola

IN MEMORIAM January Born Dec'd 1 - Bro. Stephen Borgo 1913 2006 2 - Rev. Angelo Calandra 1924 1991 9 - Rev. Arnaldo Vanoli 1881 1957 21- Rev. Alex Peloso 1914 2000 23- Rev. Luigi Riello 1909 1971 25- Rev. Giuseppe Bernardi 1903 1959 26- Rev. Angelo Bordignon 1927 2004 27- Rev. Pietro Vesta 1927 1975 31- Rev. Lino Fongaro 1920 2006 February 2 - Rev. Gerolamo Angeli 1908 1984 7 - Rev. Giulio Gragnani 1911 1979 10- Rev. Anthony Felicicchia 1909 1960

February (cont.) Born Dec'd 10- Rev. Mario Spada 1924 1977 19- Mons. William O'Brien 1877 1962 19- Rev. Luigi Franchinotti 1884 1981 26- Rev. Peter Bianchetta 1887 1950 March 1 - Francesco Mascetti 1920 2002 6 - Bro. John Larcher 1909 1968 7 - Rev. Ignatius Militello 1923 2012 10- Rev. Antonio Cogo 1900 1982 12- Bro. Gino Corradin 1922 2004 17- Rev. Peter Rigo 1914 2003 23- Rev. Joseph D'Andrea 1868 1926 28- Rev. Agostino Lovatin 1944 2010 30- Rev. Rino Ziliotto 1919 2002